Page 17 of Manhattan Tormentor

It’s obvious in Finn’s eyes. He’s about to panic.

Which means he’s also ready to get nasty.

Hooking up a towel, slinging it over my shoulder before I head to the row of lockers. I couldn’t care less if he sees me naked as I pull off the sopping wet shorts. I dress, listening to his breathing.

“What do you want, Maverick? If it’s swimming lessons, the coach is around here somewhere.”

It’s taken him less than a minute to put his scowl back in place. His lip curls at the edge, his eyes darken.

“You tell anyone about this, I’ll end you, Damsel.”

He coined me with the name the day I bumped into him. Asshole thinks it’s funny to feminize me. What does it say about him, it was he who stopped me from falling? He’s no knight in shining armor. More like a dickbag in denim.

“Murder, Maverick? An over exaggeration for a kiss, don’t you think? Relax, I’m not breaking my neck to share this with anyone.” I tell him over my shoulder, feeling his stare clean through my clothes.

He’s not intimidating, least not to me anyway, but he’s trying.

I’m not wired that way. I don’t find people intimidating because that would mean I’m susceptible to their power and that’s not me.

“It’s your business if you want to pretend you’re not queer.”

Wrong. Thing. To. Say.

His growl echoes on the tiled walls and he makes a move to charge forward only to stop himself feet away from me. Nostrils flared; lips curled back. Delicious anger staring at me. I’m a sick cub for finding him sexy.

“You know nothing, Fierro. Keep your fucking mouth shut or I’ll do it for you, got it?”

I smile and he’s further pissed off as I watch his eyes crinkle.

Pity he’s a jerk, he really is hot.

“Whatever you say. Try not to remember how I taste later, yeah?”

It’s me who leaves first, brushing by his shoulder, and he hisses another curse.

His threats today don’t work on me, they never do.

He’s like a posturing animal trying to exert his dominance.

I never guessed he’d succeed with his tongue in my mouth.

Stranger things have happened, but never did I think I’d end up making out with my tormentor.

I’m betting it makes us both stupid men.

Unlike Finn, I think of his taste in my mouth that day.

And the few days after.

I didn’t know I had a type. Now I do.

It’s hot and mean.

C H A P T E R 5

Sage

My sister is the pride of our family.

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