Page 127 of Dare To Break

“X marks the spot?” She turns to frown at me.

“This is where she was found. There’s probably still a chunk missing out of the gravestone you’re leaning on. They say she hit her head on it.”

She twists around, up on her knees to peer at the stone behind her. The move causes her dress to ride up, revealing creamy thighs and my mind immediately builds a picture of her splayed out on the coffin inside the tomb, naked, wet, hot, and desperate.

Fuck.

“Why the fuck are you here, anyway?” I harden my tone, fighting against the urge to bury my face into the curve of her throat. Those fucking pigtails are messing with my head. I want to wrap my hand around them and pull her head back, so I can arch her neck and sink my teeth into it.

She darts a quick glance at me. “Someone was following me.”

“Not fucking surprised dressed like that.” I wave the bottle toward her. “You might as well have written fuck me across your forehead.” I take another swig of vodka. “Or was that the plan? Luring Jace out here so he can get his money’s worth?”

Her fingers curl into fists and she jumps to her feet. “I’m not interested in Jace, and I don’t want anyone’s money. You don’t even know me, Eli, yet you judge me, and make my life a misery. Does that make you feel good knowing what you do to me?”

I smirk. “What do I do to you, Princess?”

“You like hurting me. You’re a bully, Eli Travers. You think you’re better than me because you’re rich.”

That makes me laugh. “I’m better than you because I’m real and you’re a fucking Barbie doll that just mirrors whatever you think people want to see.” I wave a hand at the dress she’s wearing and rise to my feet. “Or is that dress really you?”

Arabella’s gaze drops from mine. “Lacy suggested it … I … it’s not what I would have chosen.”

My laugh is derisive. “But you have to keep the money flowing, right? Can’t be the real you in case it doesn’t fit with what the rich people want.” I pause for another mouthful of vodka; nothing comes out of the bottle and I squint down at it.

Letting it drop to the ground, I take a step forward. “But here’s the thing, Princess. I’ve read your diary. I’ve seen the real you. And all this bullshit?” I wave my hand from her head to her toes and back again. “You’re just fucking pretending.”

“I hate you. I hate you so much for what you did.”

“What I did? What the fuck did I do? You’re the one who keeps leeching off my father.”

Anger flashes in her eyes. “I don’t want your father’s stupid money. All I wanted was to stay in my home, but Elena destroyed that. Why can’t you see that I had nothing to do with them getting married? I didn’t even know until you turned up at the house.”

“Oh, boo fucking hoo. You had to leave your miserable house of squalor to live in a mansion and go to a private school. I can see how that must be so fucking tough for you.” I advance toward her a step, and she moves backward. “I don’t believe you had no idea. You were fucking baking welcome-home pastries. Did you think I didn’t notice that you’d purposely baked my father’s favorites?”

Arabella’s mouth gapes open. “They were for my fucking neighbor, and I would rather live in a house of squalor than be anywhere near a coward like you.”

“Coward?” I repeat the word softly. “Now, how have I managed to give you the impression that I’m a coward, I wonder?” Another step takes me closer and yet again she stumbles backward. “Was it me standing at the front of the class and reading your diary? Or maybe it was giving Miles a leash to keep his little bitch on? Or wait … was it playing with a knife at lunch?”

She’s trembling, but she still raises her chin defiantly. “You’re a coward because you prey on someone you see as weaker than you. It’s pathetic.”

“It is pathetic how weak you are; I agree.” Another step brings us to the end of the cemetery, and there’s a thud as her back hits the wall.

I smile. She pales.

“Anyone who had any backbone at all wouldn’t have bought a way into a school they have no business being in.” I slap my hands either side of her head. “I don’t even know why you’re here when all you have to do is follow in your mother’s footsteps and open your legs for the richest bidder. Who needs education when you can just fuck your way through life?”

Heat radiates out from my cheek, and my head snaps sideways from the force of her slap. I bring my head back around to face her and laugh.

“What the fuck was that?”

In answer she shoves at me, her hands flat against my chest. I don’t move. She shoves again. I step closer, reducing the distance between us. Her scent, some subtle aroma and not the floral one I remember, hits my nose, and I lick my lips. Her arms lock, hands still firm against my chest, in an attempt to stop me crowding closer, but I’m stronger than she is and we’re nose to nose before she can slip away.

“Hit me again.” My demand is rough. She doesn’t need asking twice, and her palm connects with my cheek a second time. “At least do it like you mean it.”

Her eyes narrow, and her lips part. She’s going to scream. I can see it in her eyes. So, I do the only thing I can to stop her.

I kiss her.

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