Page 105 of No Way Home
Selene was three feet from me, blocking the singular exit, dark eyes sparkling like a black widow who’s waited patiently and finally snagged their prey. “You keep chugging water like that and you’re gonna have to head to the bathroom.” Why did her voice sound seductive as she mentioned bodily excretion? She nibbled her bottom lip, taking a step closer, eyes hungry. “Which is down the hall, by thebedrooms.”
I stared at her, certain she was not implying what I thought she was implying. But everything in her body language said that’s exactly what she meant.
“Uh. Yeah. I’m good.” I flipped around to wash my glass, hoping she’d take the hint. But I should’ve known better than to turn my back on a spider with silk on her fingers.
Suddenly, her arms were winding around my chest. “You know,” she purred in my ear. “I only asked my friend to introduce me to Griffin so I could get to you.”What? “I wouldn’t have had to make all this effort if you would’ve responded to my DM’s.”
Freaking viper! This was exactly why I didn’t check my DMs unless it was someone I knew. Girls were nuts. But I’d never had this happen in person, on family property. Which is why I was frozen, panic trying to choke me out.
I was only sixteen at the time and way in over my head.
Griffin was going to be so hurt when he found out. He’d just told her last night that he loved her. She’d reciprocated immediately. I knew because he’d come in my room and fell on my bed all dreamy-eyed while he went on and on about it.
Just then she gripped the front of my dress shirt in her fists and yanked up, untucking it from my pants. I stared in horror as her hands slipped down, down, down, heading for no man’s land.
I grabbed her wrists, stopping her. Then I threw her hands off and turned to face her, tucking my shirt in. “You need to back off.Now.”
I thought she would too. Anyone with any self-respect would have.
But as she licked her lips, I realized she didn’t have respect for anyone. Not me, Griff, or herself. And definitely not for my family who’d opened their home to her.
“Come on.” Her laugh was light and playful, like tinkling glass. Deceptively beautiful. “You and I both know that’s not what you actually want.” Her eyebrows waggled seductively. “I’ve seen you watching me.” Before I could respond, her fingers slipped up into my hair and she came up on her tiptoes, crashing her mouth over mine.
I ripped my head back, palming her face with my hand. “Because you’re freaking creepy.” I shoved her head back, hard.
She stumbled, jaw dropping. “How dare you?”
“How dare I? You have some serious nerve.” I stepped past her, wiping my mouth. “You should probably head back to the house and grab your things. You’re going to want to leave before I tell my family what you just did.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s your word against mine. Who do you think Griffin will believe?”
My head bobbed, my lips pressed together letting her think she’d won.
For a half second, until I pointed to the camera in the corner with the blinking red dot. Then to an identical one in the opposite corner. “Next time you decide to put your hands and mouth all over your boyfriend’s brother, make sure you don’t do it at his famous uncle’s house. Ford takes security very seriously.”
All the blood drained from her face and she staggered back.
I strode away like I was tough, but in reality, I felt like I might vomit. As soon as I was out of the room, I jogged through the kitchen, heart trying to explode out of my chest.
I hovered at the edge of the living room.
My mom must’ve sensed my anxiety because even as Uncle Ashton was stealing a pair of SpongeBob Fruit of the Looms from Theo—causing an entire Dupree family uproar—Mom’s eyes snapped to mine. She hopped up from the couch so fast my dad’s arm fell against the cushion, slapping himself in the side. Then he was on his feet too.
“Bowen, what’s wrong?” Mom asked.
I shook my head and hurried down the hall.
They followed me toward the library. Once we were inside and my dad shut the door, I groaned, wrapping my arms around my head, wishing I could vanish.
“Bowen, baby.” Mom pressed a hand to my cheek. “What’s going on?”
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to cry. But I couldn’t help it. As tears leaked from my eyes, she pulled me into her arms. “Hey, just tell us. Whatever it is, it’s okay.”
Safe in her embrace, I let the story tumble out.
Dad looked like he was going to be sick.
“I hate my life.” I sobbed, my forehead resting against my mom’s shoulder.
