Page 32 of Sweetest Hate

"You tell me, Piper, since you seem to have me all figured out." His voice was tinged with annoyance.

She let out a feminine growl. "Don't be a smart ass. If I knew what was going on in your stubborn head, I wouldn't be asking you. If you want him..." She huffed. "I know you've had some problems…"

"Don't," Arsen interrupted. "Just...don't."

Was Piper talking about me? She couldn't be because Arsen hated me. So who then? I had a sudden need to hear every word. I leaned closer and froze when I slipped in the mud, creating a splash that wouldn't go unnoticed.

The conversation stopped abruptly, and they both swiveled around, facing my direction. Arsen cursed, and Piper sighed.

"Hey, Kellan." Piper offered a wave, but she was still obviously frustrated.

I waved back. "I can go."

She shook her head, shoulders slumping. "Nah, as usual, the conversation was pointless anyway."

"I could have told you that half an hour ago," Arsen mumbled and stepped aside to let her pass.

"Whatever. I'll catch you later." Piper paused before stepping off the dock. "Just remember what I said." She turned to me. "And Kellan, I owe you a conversation."

I hadn't forgotten her promise she'd made on the boat, but so much had happened since then, and I wasn't sure if Arsen didn't have some part in why she hadn't approached me again. Arsen butted in, "No, you don't."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You are your own worst enemy, you know that, right?"

He didn't reply, and she stormed off with a huff.

"Like I could forget," Arsen murmured. I wasn't sure if he was talking to himself or me, so I didn't answer. He walked over to the railing, arms folded over the top as he leaned over, staring down at me. "Do you always eavesdrop on other people's conversations?"

"I was here first." It was true, but it was also true I'd done my best to overhear their conversation. "So, who is it you like?"

His jaw clenched. "This isn't middle school."

"And that wasn't an answer." I stood and wrung out my shorts the best I could while still wearing them. "But don't worry. I don't care who you stick your dick in."

Arsen's stare locked on mine. "Fine, my nosy little mouse. I don't like anyone. I do, however, happen to want to fuck the shit out of someone. That answer enough for you?"

I stiffened before forcing myself to relax. "Lucky guy." My voice was thick with sarcasm. I began walking on the grass, wondering who this guy was, because if it was me, Arsen was blunt enough to say so. "Does this guy know you go around sticking your tongue down other guys' throats?"

Arsen stepped off the dock as I went to pass him, and he grabbed my arm. "Let me ask you a question. If I wanted to fuck some other guy, why were you in my bed instead of him?"

Shaking my arm free, I shrugged. "Maybe I'd ask you if I cared."

"Don't care." A dark chuckle rumbled through his lips. "I call bullshit. If you didn't care, you wouldn't have asked and then tried to stomp off like a sulking—"

"Fuck this." I attempted to step around him again, but Arsen got in my way. "Move. I'm staying with Quinn tonight, so you can do whatever you want."

Arsen growled. "Nope. We are having this conversation."

"What conversation would that be?" I didn't pull away as he tugged me around a large knoll and backed into an alcove. When he released me, I scowled. "What is your problem?"

"My problem?Youare my problem. You've been my fucking problem since I showed up at this overcrowded party." His hard gaze bore into mine.

I smirked. "Don't worry, I won't be yourproblemanymore, so you can do whatever, and whoever, you want."

Arsen growled and slammed his hand against the grassy dune over my shoulder, leaning close to my ear. "I could have done whatever I wanted last night, but I dragged your ass to my room and shared my bed with you. I could have done whatever the fuck I wanted when I sucked your dick, but I chose to swallowyourfucking come. No, little mouse, it's not some other guy. You're smarter than that."

A knot lodged in my throat at the caress of his breath against my neck and the memory of the way his lips felt around my cock. "Whatever. Like I said, I'm staying with—"

"Yeah, my stepbrother." He growled. "Got the notice already."

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