Page 138 of Forbidden You

The bell rings again, and I swing the door open with a scowl on my face.

“You forgot your ke—?” My breath stops when I’m face to face with a set of eyes I hoped to never see again. They are gray, as cold as ice, and sometimes I wonder if they will haunt me in my sleep forever.

“Trent.” There is shock in my voice and a shiver runs up my spine when the corner of his mouth curl up. One arm drapes against the doorpost, and the lopsided grin that slowly forms reminds me of everything I don’t miss about him.

“Hey, honey.” His voice is smooth, like a slithering snake, and I wonder how I ever fell for him.

When we first met, I looked up to him. I was honored that he wanted me.

He was on the tennis team, the golden boy that was set to win Wimbledon one day, a living God on campus. Every girl wanted him. Every guy wanted him to choke on his own racket.

I was hypnotized by his gray eyes whenever he would direct them at me, and when he asked me on a date, I was eager to say yes. Now I regret that moment every single day. Now I regret giving him the power to tear me down in every way possible.

For too long, he held me in my grasp, until I felt like I was backed against the wall and my only way out was giving up my own dream. Dropping out of my dream school.This day just keeps getting better and better.

“What are you doing here?” I do my best to keep my voice steady, confident, but the goosebumps trickling down my arms don’t give me the feeling I’m succeeding in my effort.

“You won’t answer my calls.”

“There is a reason for that.”

“You see,” he tuts, “I disagree.” He glances over my shoulder, looking for anyone else. My mouth turns dry while the sound of my heart pounding in my head makes it hard to focus on what he’s saying.

Fuck.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

“No.” It’s firm. It’s determined, but it’s quickly replaced by fear when his eyes widen in amusement. Not even an ounce of frustration shows on his face, telling me he doesn’t take me seriously.

“Is he home?” He rolls his lips as the words leave them with disdain.

It’s almost a snarl, but he seems to hold back, his tension only clear for me because I know him.

Don’t show any fear, Kayla.

I swallow. “We’re over, Trent.”

“Nah, we’re really not, sweetie.” Like a viper catching his prey, he snatches my face, his palm covering my mouth, and I gasp for air through the openings in his fingers. Fear creeps up, freezing every muscle of my body. My fingers clutch onto his wrists in an attempt to pull his hand off, but he’s too strong.

By my face, he yanks me out of the doorway, then slams me against the doorpost. A sharp pain slices through my skull and I shut my eyes before he moves his mouth flush with my ear. His other hand presses his fingers into my sides, painfully squeezing to keep me in place.

“You made me look like a fool after you disappeared. I can’t have that. I won’tacceptthat.” He spits his words, his tone laced with hate and contempt. “You’re going to pack your bags and come back to me. Tell everyone how you made a mistake. I talked to the board, and they are willing to reinstate your scholarship.”

Out of habit, and fueled by fear, I want to say yes. I want to concede, but the last few weeks flash in front of my eyes and my bravery seems to outmatch my level of fear, though it’s still there.

“No!” I shout in his face, keeping my eyes closed.

“What the fuck do you meanno?” he sneers in an ominous growl, showing the darkness of his true colors, and his energy grows. Usually, this is the time I shrink under his gaze, agreeing to whatever he wants just to get it over with. But as much as I don’t have any clue how to defend myself against him, I refuse to be a helpless little girl any longer.

He can drag me out of here, but I will fight him every step of the way.

Stanford is ruined. He made sure of that.

Feeling braver than I ever felt before, I brace myself and open my eyes, locking them with his. They are furious.Feral.

“NO,” I growl this time.

His fingers are still pressing against my jaw while his skin grows burgundy red.

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