Page 8 of Cruel Steps

I turned off the lights, climbed under the sheets, and waited for Holden to return. Worry he’d regret it now that it was over rose the longer he took. When he climbed in, he pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead, soothing it away.

“I need to be somewhere at eight,” he whispered.

“Okay. I’m leaving around then, so I’ll make sure you’re up.”

“Thanks, Wildcat.”

“No problem, Jockstrap.”

We slept for a few hours before waking and having sex again, this time slower and softer, but just as amazing. My body felt well worked out, and I’d feel him between my legs for days.

When my alarm sounded an hour later, I groaned before rolling over and brushing his hair off his forehead. Holden’s eyes blinked open, taking me in. I waited for him to freak out, but he only smiled and nestled my neck with his lips.

“I don’t want to go,” he mumbled.

Giddiness filled me, and I tried to clamp down on the excitement building. “Me either,” I admitted.

“You here this summer?” he asked, hope lining his words.

“No. I’m headed home for the summer.”

“Bummer.”

He kissed my neck before pulling back and rolling over. Pushing the covers off, I stood and turned on the light. “You can shower first,” I offered, shuffling on my feet.

“Thanks, Wildcat.” Holden rubbed his eyes, stretching as he stood. My mouth watered at the sight of his body in the daylight.

“Northridge High School. The one in Oak Hills?” he asked, breaking my stare off with his abs.

“Um, yeah. You know it?” Nerves took flight, my confidence evaporating with each second at the mention of my alma mater.

“Sorta. My sister went there. What year are you at Brighton U?”

“I’ll be a junior in the fall.” My heart pounded in my ears, the air leaving my lungs.

“Same for my sister. She’s at Hayward with me. Do you know Hope Adler?”

Everything went white at her name, and I reached out to brace myself against the wall. “Hope?” I squeaked out, praying I’d misheard.

“Yeah. She was on the dance team,” he said as he gathered his stuff.

“Oh, that Hope.” I laughed, the sound high-pitched. Holden glanced at me, his brows furrowing.

“Everything okay?”

“Yup. Uh-huh. Low blood sugar in the morning,” I stuttered. “Gotta eat.” I patted my stomach.

He nodded, not looking thoroughly convinced. “Right. I’m gonna…” He pointed at the bathroom, and I nodded. The second he was gone, I fell to the floor, my breathing sporadic, and I tried to calm my breaths so I didn’t embarrass myself further.

How was he Hope’s brother? I vaguely remembered her having one, but it wasn’t clear. Shit. Had it all been a lie? Another Hope scheme?

No, there was no way to fake our chemistry. He’d wanted me. But it didn’t matter. Hope would never allow it and only come after me harder.

I couldn’t put myself willingly in her line of fire.

By the time the shower turned off, I’d slowed my breathing and gotten dressed. I needed to get him out of here. I tossed the last few items I needed to pack into my bag, scanning the room for anything I’d missed. The furniture wasn’t mine, and the bigger items I’d leave for next year.

“So, I was thinking,” he said as he exited my bathroom, drying his hair. “I know this was a hookup, but maybe it doesn’t have to be. I’m at camp most of the summer, but I’ll be in Oak Hills a few weeks before school starts.”

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