Page 51 of The Thought of You

The last thought skids into my mind as I wrap my hand around the handle of my car door, throw myself inside, and finally unleash the scream I’ve held back for the last two days.

chapter

fifteen

OWEN

“Where’d you go?” I spread my arms out to my sides as Addie stalks into the gym, her giant tote glued to her shoulder like an extra limb. Her steps sound angry as each one echoes across the empty gym, and the sounds only grow louder the closer she gets to me. “I’m thinking we celebrate the news of our arrangement with a drink at the Tap.”

“I hardly think that’s necessary.” She frowns, but that’s not what gets my attention.

Her eyes do. They especially pop today, with her lashes thick and curled around seas of clear blue.

“Did you do something different today?” I wave over her face. “You look amazing. I mean, you always look great, but today, there’s something?—”

She drops her tote by my feet with a thud, then gathers a fistful of my shirt in her hand, pinching the skin underneath in the process, and drags me into the Health classroom.

She only lets go to shut the door behind us and draw the shade over the window.

My smirk is too strong to stifle. It cracks through my poorly constructed façade, especially when her eyes instantly land on my mouth. A strangled breath heaves out of her like she’s warring with herself, and it’s the opening I need to close the distance between us.

As I tower over her, I lift her chin with my hand and rasp, “Ready to beg for that kiss yet? Because I’ve thought of nothing else since Saturday night.”

“You’re jonesing for far more than I can give you. I can’t date you, Owen.”

“Why’s that?” I slip my hand along her jawline, inching my fingertips into her hair until I cup her cheek. I can’t help but touch her.

It’s more than a want—it’s a damn necessity wrapped in desire.

“We’re mortal enemies.”

“A bit dramatic, don’t you think? I figured you and wasps, or you and fun, would be mortal enemies. Not you and me.” I stretch my hand until my thumb reaches her bottom lip, tracing it as memories of kissing her jolt my body awake better than the energy drink I nearly inhaled on the way here this morning. I’m too aware of being alone with her for at least a few more minutes before our classes arrive.

“Fine.” She tears herself away from me almost in slow motion, like she hates the idea of not touching me—that makes two of us. She spins once and sighs. “Funny business aside, the truth is that we are wrong for each other. You and I are co-workers. We now share a freaking classroom. The whole school will know about us before we can finish the sentence—peaches are the superior fruit in all the world.”

“That’s one thing we can agree on.” I stuff my hands into the pockets of my sweatpants, restraining them against reaching out for her again.

It’s as difficult as refraining from taking back my promise not to kiss her until she asks for it.

“I have far more things to worry about right now,” she says.

“Such as? It’s not like you’re going to do the repairs yourself. Let the professionals do their thing, and enjoy your time at the gym. It’ll be like a vacation.” I wink.

“I need to make sure new supplies are ordered. I need a SMART board and… and… a new favorite coffee mug.” She gulps, fidgeting with her fingers.

“A coffee mug?” Is she serious?

“Forget the coffee mug.” She runs a hand through her hair. “My impeccable reputation would be ruined because this is the scandal—dating my co-worker—that I never asked for.”

“You and your fucking reputation,” I grumble.

“It’s important to me. Things like that matter,” she insists.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

The lip twitch I love so much subtly pops. If I weren’t so close to her, I might’ve missed it.

“Look, Lockhart, dating each other is not against school policy. We’re two consenting adults. Sure, the school and the rest of this town might whisper about us for five minutes before moving on to the next bit of gossip, but it’s not a reason to fight this thing between us. And let’s face it, your impeccable reputation doesn’t keep you warm at night, does it?”

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