Page 95 of Prickly Romance

In horror, I realize all the bending over and running caused my skirt to hitch up. I duck my head and pull the hem of my skirt down as I run back to my seat.

Yaya stops me and gives me a big hug. “That’s how you do it,” she signs.

Niko’s eyes are sparkling like twin suns. “You were so cool, Deej.”

“Thanks,” I mumble. My chest is burning with awkwardness. I refuse to look at Sazuki.

We play another round.

Yaya and Niko each take a turn and score very few points.

As promised, Sazuki hits another strike.

When it’s my turn, I shuffle toward the bowling balls. I can feel the teenage boys eyeing me from the next lane and it makes my heart pound.

I told Yaya this skirt was too short.

My fingers are so sweaty that I’m scared the bowling ball will crush my toes. How do I bend down without giving those boys something to snicker at? I tuck my knees together and begin a slow descent into a crouch when IfeelSazuki’s presence behind me.

I’m in trouble.

There’s no way I should be able to know he’s close to me just by the way the air around me changes.

I straighten and turn slightly. “What are you doing?”

“Hold still,” he rumbles. He’s right behind me, his bicep almost kissing my arm. In one smooth motion, he yanks his jacket off.

I almost pluck a one-dollar bill from my wallet and throw it at him.Please don’t stop taking things off.

My mouth turns dry. He looks determined, dangerous, and way too delicious with his face pinched in concentration. I watch as he pinches the jacket by the sleeves.

“You keep trying to test me, Miss Williams,” he growls.

“Huh?” I sound like an idiot.

But can anyone blame me?

His voice is deep and soul-sucking. So close to my neck, it sends a hot breath dancing over my skin.

Sazuki slides the jacket sleeves along my waist. My body comes alive while the thick material glides across my crop top. His fingers barely skim my skin in the sliver of space between where my skirt and the shirt meet. He draws me close in a smooth motion, crushing me against his rock-hard body in order to tie the jacket sleeves at my stomach.

“The rest of your skirt is missing,” he snarls against my neck. “You should demand your money back.”

“I—”

He steps away before my brain starts glitching. I turn fully around, the jacket flailing behind me like a coat.

Heat is racing down my spine. My heart is pounding like a crazed drum.

And I need a paper bag to breathe in.

I don’t know what to do. What to say.

My mind is blank.

I wish I could call it embarrassment or anger.

I just… it would be a lie.

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