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“Lila.” There was a warning in his voice.
“Maddox,” I hissed.
“I’m outside. Come out. Now.”
“Maybe if you say please.” The sarcasm dripped from my mouth easily. Watch out, I got my sassy pants on today.
There was a frustrated growl before I heard him sigh. “Please.”
Huh. That was shocking.
My lips flattened in a straight line. “No.”
“For fuck’s sake! Are you still pissed because I ate your muffin?”
“You stole my muffin!” And it was the last one.
“I thought you didn’t want it. You left it on the table.”
I growled in response. He was silent for a second before he laughed. The jerk actually laughed. “Are you on your period?”
“Fuck you.” I ended the call with a growl.
Yes, I was on my period.
Yes, I was cranky. Because this asshole, aka my best friend, ate my mint chocolate muffin.
A second later, my pinged with a message. Come out, please. I’m sorry about the muffin.
I typed a quick text back. Why?
My screen flashed with another message. Just trust me.
I rolled of my eyes and bounced off the bed. Maddox wasn’t going to give up. For all I knew, if I didn’t come out of the house, he was going to come in and get me.
I stepped out of the house to find Maddox leaning against his car, arms crossed. At the sight of me, he licked his lips and winked. My breath caught in my throat because he was so sinfully handsome. Then I remembered he was my best friend… and I was supposed to be mad, right?
I crossed my arms over my chest and glared. “What do you want?”
Maddox crooked his index finger at me, beckoning me to come closer. I did.
“Come closer. I’m not going to bite, Garcia.”
“You’re annoying me, Coulter,” I snapped.
He tsked before he looped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. I stumbled against him, and our bodies clashed together.
A cocky grin spread over his lips. “I can’t decide if I like you feisty or I like you quiet.”
I huffed and blew my hair out of my face, before squinting up at him. He sobered, the mischievous glint in his eyes gone. My heart dropped to my stomach, and my palms started sweating.
“Lila, do you trust me?”
My eyes flared in surprise. “Why are you asking?”
“Answer the question.” His gaze didn’t waver from mine, absorbing me and holding me captive.
I shook my head and tried to move away from him. “What’s going on?”
I didn’t like the look on his face. Something was up, and I wasn’t going to like it.
“I want to try something with you,” he slowly explained.
“Jump off an airplane? Scuba diving? Bungee Jumping? Rafting? Something stupid and thrill seeking?”
Maddox loved the adrenaline rush, loved any outdoor activity that would have my heart spilling out through my mouth. We went mountain biking a few weeks ago. Well, he did, and I watched from the sideline, convincing myself not to pass out.
It was too dangerous, too reckless… everything that Maddox needed in his life. The thrill and the rush through his veins. He lived for it.
Maddox shook his head, the expression on his face still too serious. “No, this isn’t about me. This is for you. But I want us to do it together.”
“Maddox, spit it out.” Nerves gnawed at my gut as I waited for him to speak.
Still holding me in his arms, Maddox turned us around, so I was facing his car, with my back against his front. I was trapped between him and the car.
My breath expelled through my lips with a harsh exhale, and my knees quivered. His hands landed on my hips, and his breath feathered next to my ear. He reached around me and pulled the passenger door open, his intention clear.
No. No. No.
I was already struggling against him before he could say a word. “Maddox–”
“Do you trust me?” He said in my ear.
“No, I don’t.” My throat convulsed, and every muscle in my body turned to ice. There was a roaring in my ears, and my heart pounded so hard it felt like it was about to beat right out of my chest. “I… can’t,” I wheezed. “Don’t make me do this.”
“Lila, do you trust me?” The baritone of his voice reverberated through my bones, commanding and strong–grounding me and forcing me to face reality. My hands shook, and I started sweating, even though the spring air was cold against my skin.
I swallowed. “No.”
“Don’t lie, Lila.” His hands tightened on my hips.
My lungs burnt, and I couldn’t breathe.
The panic began with a cluster of sparks in my abdomen. My skin itched, feeling too tight around my flesh. My own body was causing me to suffocate. Chest heaving, breath coming out in gasps and tears threatening to fall, I crumbled to the ground. Maddox came with me, not letting go. My heart jumped in terror, in fear, and each breath I pulled into my body became painful.
