Page 9 of Left in the Dark

I can’t hold on any longer, releasing inside the condom.

When I’m finished, I collapse against her. She wraps her arms around me, holding me tightly as we pant like we just completed a marathon.

We stay like that for a while, our heart rates and pulses slowly returning to normal. It’s blissful, holding her like this.

With a sigh, I lift my head from her shoulder. “I should get rid of this.” I slowly pull out of her, and she winces. There’s blood on the condom, coating her inner thighs, and on her comforter.

Delaney slowly sits up, staring at her comforter. “Good thing I’ve kept up your lie that I had my period.”

I chuckle, my hand cupping her jaw. “Are you okay?”

She gives me that smile that made me fall for her three years ago. “Sore, but better than okay.” She looks down at the bloody condom before her sparkling eyes meet mine. “When can we do it again?”

My chest shakes from repressed laughter as I kiss her. I straighten, heading for the en suite bathroom. “You’re insatiable, lil minx.”

I pull the condom off and wrap it up in a bunch of toilet paper before throwing it in the trash. Then I grab a washcloth and run the water until it’s nearly hot.

Carrying it into the bedroom, I carefully and gently clean her up. “How about I help you change your comforter and sheets?”

She blinks at me for a moment before sitting up. “Are you for real?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I hold out a hand, and she takes it, wincing as she slides off the bed and gets to her feet. “It smells like sex in here. Let’s crack the window.”

Before I can move, she steps closer, her hands sliding around my waist. “Sometimes you’re the sweetest.”

I cage her in my arms, resting my forehead against hers. “What part of ‘I’d do anything for you’ don’t you understand?”

She releases a happy sigh. “Stop making me fall harder for you.”

I pull back, the shakiness in her voice betraying her inner turmoil. “What’s wrong, minx?”

“There are a lot of obstacles between us. And with graduation looming…” Pain swirls in the depths of her green irises, cutting straight to my heart.

I stiffen, giving her a quick kiss before I step back. “Come on. Let’s get dressed and take care of this.” I nod toward her bed before spinning around and heading for my jeans and boxers.

I don’t want her to see the hurt on my face. I know we’re complete opposites… but tonight, I let my guard down, foolishly believing we had a chance.

Who am I kidding? When does the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks get the wealthy good girl?

The only thing I’ll end up with is a broken heart.

CHAPTER 8

Delaney

Ipull another prom dress from the rack, holding it against my body while eying myself in the mirror. I’m being picky and difficult because of my glum mood. At this rate, I’ll be going to the prom in a paper sack if I don’t choose a dress soon.

Tim would hate that. Zayne, on the other hand, would love it if I wore?—

“Earth to Delaney.” Callie nudges me in the side with her elbow. “Are you okay? You’ve been zoning out a lot lately.”

I give her a weak smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Callie frowns, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the dressing rooms where we’ll have more privacy. “You’re not fine,” she hisses. “I’m not dumb like the other fuckers in town. I’ve seen the way you and Zayne look at one another. You’ve got it bad.”

“Shut up. I don’t have feelings for?—”

She holds up her hand. “Don’t lie to me.” Her blue eyes sparkle as she leans closer, bouncing on her toes. “I don’t blame you. Not only is he hotter than hell, but the possessive way he looks at you…If I had a man look at me like that, I’d marry him.”

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