Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“You should go to bed. You’re going to regret this in the morning.”
“The only thing I regret is you. Why don’t you be a good little girl and go back to bed? Prude ass bitch.” His friends laugh, and he joins in. “What? Get the fuck outta here.”
I debate punching him in his nose, but I refuse to let him see the way he’s hurt me. “Fuck you, Noah.” I turn around and storm toward the house.
“Wish I could, George. Always loved sliding into your tight cunt.”
I shut myself back inside, silencing the commotion with the snick of the door. I walk through the kitchen when a shadow appears from the hallway. “Look who we have here…” A hand reaches out, and I gasp.
Vince.
His friend from the other day. He seems to be in the same shape as Noah.
“Let me go.”
“Awww, come on. Don’t be like that.”
I push at his chest to get him to release me, but his grip tightens, his fingers digging into my skin. “I said let me go.”
“Baby, begging only teases me. Why don’t you say please?”
“Fuck you! Let me go!” I struggle to break free from his hold. “I will scream and wake up Noah’s dad if you don’t let me go right the fuck now.”
“Not before I get a taste of what’s mine. Remember—Noah and I share everything.” He leans in, his tongue dragging along my cheek. My disgust and rage ignite, and I lose it, shoving at him, thrashing to break free. When he finally releases me, I trip backward and fall on my ass. “You should be more appreciative, bitch. When I want something, I get it, and you’ll wish you were nicer when I do.” His laughter churns my stomach as I fight to catch my breath. My heart slams in my chest, and I clench my jaw, determined not to cry.
The moment I hear the door shut, I scramble to my feet and bolt up the stairs, slamming my bedroom door behind me and twisting the lock. My heart pounds as I press my back against the wood. For a moment, I consider waking Jackson and telling him everything, but that would only pour fuel on the fire. His temper isn’t something to provoke, and the last thing I need is more chaos.
Still shaking, I climb into bed, curling into myself beneath the blankets. My arms wrap tightly around my chest as I force myself to breathe—in, out, in, out—counting each breath until my lungs start to slow. It takes a while for the tension to fade. Once it does, exhaustion wins, and sleep pulls me under.
Chapter twenty
Georgia
Igroan, grappling for my phone to shut off the stupid alarm. Rolling over, I slap at the other side of the bed. “Noah,” I say, wincing at how sore I am. He doesn’t respond, forcing me to open an eye, ready to shake him. “Noah…”
But he’s not here. Shifting to my back, I blink at the ceiling as everything that happened last night begins to register.
The only thing I regret is you.
Prude ass bitch.
I should have never let him back in. I know the kind of person he is—it’s why I ended our relationship in the first place. I also know his other side, the manipulative side that made me forget how much of a raging asshole he is.
Then the confrontation with his friend comes rushing back, and chills skate down my spine. I push myself upright, wincing at the dull ache spreading through my body. Slowly, I lift my shirt, my breath catching at the deep, angry marks where his fingers dug into me. Shades of purple and blue stain my ribs. Fingerprints ghost along my side in a cruel reminder of how hard he held me. I swallow hard, tracing one of the bruises with trembling fingers. The soreness lingers, but it’s nothing compared to the unease curling in my stomach.
I should have woken Jackson up. Vince crossed the line. Noah’s words held a bite, but his friend’s dripped with venom. Behind his goofy smile was something dark.
A knock at my door startles me, and I drop my shirt. The doorknob twists, but I locked it last night. The knock sounds again. “Georgia?”
Jackson.
I climb out of bed and open the door. “Hey.”
“Morning. Why’s your door locked?”
Tell him. He needs to know. “I… didn’t realize I locked it.” He stares into my eyes, and I worry he can sense I’m lying. “Why are you up so early?”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about doing this.” He steps into my room and captures the back of my neck before claiming my mouth. The thoughts of Noah and his scummy friend vanish as I focus on how wonderful Jackson’s lips feel against mine. “Fuck, you’re perfect,” he murmurs, sucking in my bottom lip. His hand wraps around me, putting pressure on my hips, and I wince. He pulls back. “What? What’s wrong?”