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When I open my mouth to argue, he says in a silky voice, “I mean, unless you want everyone at school to find out that Pembroke is boning your mother.”
His threat makes my heart stutter before pounding painfully into overdrive. “You know I don’t.”
He flashes a grin. “Yeah, I had a hunch that would be your answer.”
When I continue to stare, he points to the book on the bed. “You gonna get to it or what?”
Resentment rises inside me as I glare. “You’re forcing me to do something I don’t want.”
“Yup. Sucks to be powerless, doesn’t it?”
I gnash my teeth together before picking up the paperback and opening it.
“What chapter are you on?” I grumble.
“Just start at the beginning.”
I suck a deep breath into my lungs before gradually releasing it. This is for the best. Reading to Austin is by far the safest way to spend time together. I won’t have to worry about him laying his hands on me.
As I thumb through the pages and find chapter one, he scoots further up the bed until he’s able to fully stretch out. His handsget tucked behind his head. The movement makes his biceps swell and the veins running beneath his sun-kissed skin bulge, becoming more prominent.
It’s a challenge to not get distracted. After a quick mental slap, I refocus my attention and begin reading.
Just as I turn the page, he pats the space next to him. “Come over here.”
I shake my head. “No, I’ll—”
“If you don’t move your ass, I’ll be forced to retrieve you.” Even though he doesn’t budge from his spot, his deep voice holds the dark promise of a threat. One I know he’ll make good on.
Another burst of nerves explodes in my belly as I tentatively scoot backward until we’re side by side. We’re so close that the sleeve of my arm brushes against his bare skin. With a stack of pillows behind me, I sit ramrod straight as apprehension churns in my gut.
“Lay back. It’ll be more comfortable for both of us.”
I glance at him, prepared to argue. When he gives his head a slight shake, I snap my mouth shut and do as he insists.
My body turns rigid as I glance at him from the corner of my eye. “May I continue now?”
“Is there someone stopping you?”
When I bare my teeth, his lips quirk and a chuckle rumbles up from his chest.
“You’re adorable when you’re angry. Like a kitten with claws.”
I huff out an aggravated breath before finding my place again and focusing on the words. It only takes a page or two before I’m slipping inside the story and forgetting that Austin has forced me to lie beside him. As I start chapter two, I peek at him to see if he’s paying attention and find that he’s turned onto his sideand has his head propped up on his hand. His concentrated stare leaves me mentally stumbling.
“Don’t stop,” he says softly. “Keep going.”
I clear my throat and refocus. Only this time, I’m unable to get wrapped up in the characters like before. I’m much too aware of Austin’s hot gaze fastened to me. It’s like a physical caress. I string together syllables to make words, but they don’t hold much meaning. Especially when he strokes the pads of his fingers along my bare thigh. When he reaches the hem of my skirt, he shoves the thick material up my leg.
My gaze jerks from the book. “What are you doing?”
“Touching you. It helps me concentrate. We’ll just think of you as my very own human fidget toy.”
“Are you being serious?”
“One hundred percent.” His expression remains solemn as his fingers dance along my inner thigh, forcing the fabric high enough to reveal my cotton panties.
His pupils dilate at the sight of them. When I attempt to smooth down the material, he slaps my fingers away.
