Page 2 of Left in the Dark

My eyes lift to his, and I see the flash of victory in them before that fucking melt-your-panties smile curls his full, pink lips. I swallow hard, my cheeks flushing.

Fucking know-it-all. He pays more attention to me than anyone else.

Zayne is the bad boy from the wrong side of town who moved to Green Haven our freshman year of high school. His mom works in the cafeteria, which allows him to attend the academy. His dad used to be a custodian here.

Zayne’s family struggled with money the first two years he was a student here. Last year, his dad, Gabe Morine, opened a bar. Although they are financially better off than they were, they still live in a trailer park in the poor end of town.

I bite my lip, not wanting to be here with Tim and Aidan. My thoughts roam to sneaking out last night and meeting Zayne in the woods behind my house. If my father knew I was fooling around with him, he’d kill me. Richard Warner would never allow his only daughter to mess around with one of the poor kids in town.

I hate my father’s elitist attitude, but I know better than to express it publicly. After all, he’s the district attorney, and I’m expected to conduct myself according to the stringent rules he’s set. If I don’t follow them… well, I can usually hide the bruises, but there have been times I’ve had to lie about how I got them.

Stifling the sigh of boredom that is desperate to escape, my phone vibrates in my hand. Even though Tim doesn’t appear to be paying attention, I’m still cautious. He reports everything I do to my father.

Tim and Aidan change the topic to the party Seth Michaels is having this weekend, so I peek at my phone. I gasp when I read it, my hand flying to my mouth. Luckily, neither Tim nor Aidan notice.

My gaze locks with Zayne’s dark brown irises. He arches a brow as though he knows I’m envisioning his fingers inside me while I straddled his lap in this beat-up truck last night. The thought of him taking my virginity causes shivers of anticipation to erupt throughout my body. Every nerve is on fire, tingling like I was just struck by lightning.

His lips curl in a victorious smile, and my blush deepens.He knows I want him.

My phone vibrates again. After checking to ensure Tim’s still distracted, I look down at it, biting my lip to suppress my smile when I read Zayne’s message. I list him simply as Z in my phone contacts in case my father, my brother Daniel, or Tim would see him message me.

Z: You better wipe that look off your face, minx. Tim may think you want him.

Horror fills me as I glance at Zayne, then at Tim, who is, thankfully, still ignoring me.

ME: Stop texting me this shit. If anyone would see it, I’d be up shit creek!

I press send, then glare at Zayne. He casually leans against the wall, looking too fucking good in the worn, black leather jacket and jeans with holes in them.

A smirk curls his lips as his fingers fly over his phone. When he’s finished, he looks up at me and winks.

My heart thunders inside my chest, and my mouth is dry. No one in this school knows how much I want Zayne Morine. He occupies my thoughts and haunts my dreams.

Z: Don’t worry, lil minx. I’ll make sure you’re good and ready before I slide inside you. I’ll relish your screams as you come all over my cock.

Jesus Christ. I’m practically salivating and panting from lust, images whirling through my head.

ME: Stop it.

Z: I’ll bet that pussy is soaked for me.

I close my eyes, trying to get myself under control. Zayne turns me into a horndog.

My phone vibrates in my hands.

Z: Tell that asshole that you think you got your period and need to use the restroom. Go to the girl's bathroom, and after a few minutes, text him that you bled in your clothes and a friend is going to take you home so you can change.

ME: And?

Our eyes lock, and he smirks before his head lowers to his phone.

Z: I’m gonna take you somewhere we can be alone so you can ride my face like you did on your 18th birthday.

Such a fucking stalker.

ME: Okay. Where should I meet you?

I tap Tim’s shoulder and whisper in his ear. He looks appalled and waves me away.

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