Page 52 of Soul of a Psycho

He cups my cheeks while I cough and edges his knees off my arms. But any reprieve I was hoping for is crushed by his weight when he presses his body into mine, straddling me.

“I almost killed you,” his voice turns shrill, and he twists my face this way and that, examining me. “Are you okay? I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He wraps his arms around my head, pulling me against him, and I find myself suffocating in a new way—on pine and metal—as he practically tries to absorb me.

“Cade,” I say, my voice muffled.

“I wouldn’t have actually hurt you,” he coos too quickly, rocking me at a pace that rattles my brain. “And last night—Jesus, last night. But I didn’t know if you were okay and—But if you like Ruby Pelling, I’ll spare her. I swear I’ll spare her.”

Spare her?From what? I don’t know if it’s his rambling that is making my head spin or my lack of oxygen, but I shove at him, trying to find some air.

“But if you don’t—” He keeps going, unaware of my feeble attempt to break free.

I stop listening and wriggle against his hard chest, a sweat breaking out on my neck from his body heat and the exertion it’s taking to try and push him off. He’s got a vise grip on me that I don’t think even the jaws of life could break.

“Cade!” I shout into his hoodie with my last breath.

At last, he rears back, gripping my forearms, as beautiful concern paints his features.

I ignore the way it makes me want to die in his grip, and shake free from his hold. Huffing, I push to my feet, feeling like a rag doll that just got mauled. I tug at my skirt that’s riled up, smooth loose pieces of hair back into my bun, and catch my breath that I don’t think will ever return.

Once I feel somewhat presentable, I look down to find him still on his knees, watching me with his lip pierced between his teeth. A heat pulses between my legs.

“Get up,” I hiss, looking around the quad for anyone that could bear witness to the position of praise he’s in at my feet.

“Oh, I’m up alright, angel.”

I whip my head back, unable to stop my eyes from drifting down past the button of his pants and yes—he’sup. My bottom lip falls, cheeks searing as bats take flight in my stomach. The bulge does something sinful to me, and I have to force my gaze away before I do something tasteless in public.

With a chuckle, he stands and steps into my space. I don’t back up. I may be irritated, but I’m too snared by his daring eyes to put any conviction behind it. His form shadows the rising sun and shrouds me in secrecy as I feel him press against my stomach. I can feel the heat, thethrob, and an ache so devianthas me letting out a whimper. It’s a good thing he cups my jaw and snakes an arm around my lower back, because my knees go weak.

“You forgive me, don’t you, Sky?” He drags a thumb over my lip.

I nod weakly, unable to tell him I was never mad at him to begin with. What he did to Ruby, however sadistic, was with good intentions. He just wanted to protect me, something I’ve never had from anyone else.

“Good.” He leans down, lips grazing mine. “Because today would be very awkward if you didn’t.”

And then he kisses me.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Cade

The problem with Mrs. Fawn’s class is that it’s full. Rykes’ social studies was the overflow slot and while I’m perfectly content to stand for an hour to avoid the prick, I’m not okay with Sky standing.

I was hoping we would get here early and avoid a confrontation, but I didn’t know how much Sky liked bagels. Mrs. Bennett always sets aside four for me at breakfast, putting them in a brown paper bag for me to collect if I’m caught up in the shack, and while I gave Sky two of them, I didn’t anticipate her to scarf them down like a feral dog. I ended up going back twice to get more. I make a mental note to tell Mrs. Bennett to start setting aside eight, and then begrudgingly let go of Sky’s hand to secure her a seat.

She glances around the room awkwardly, no doubt wondering where we are supposed to sit. Every one of the old oak desks is taken, and all eyes are on us. Pulling my hood lower, I cut past the kiss asses in front, and come to a halt in front of Caleb in the last row.

“Move,” I say, giving him the opportunity to comply.

But the sandy eyebrows of my assigned dorm mate raise in defiance.

“Yeah, right,” he scoffs.

I try to take a calming breath, as the stupidity of people never ceases to piss me off. I would think that getting his jaw rearranged would have taught him something about picking his battles, but it seems he’s too arrogant for life lessons.

My hand instinctively goes to my pocket, twitching to grip my blade. Am I going to have a repeat of last night? No. That was too close to ruining everything I’ve been working towards, and besides that, I’m also feeling much more level today. I’m aware this has everything to do with Sky, who is safely within my peripheral. All the madness that threatened to seal my coffin is dormant for the moment, satisfied by her proximity.

A prickle of sanity tells me I can’t keep an eye on her twenty-four-seven, but that’s a problem for whoever gets in my way next time. Nonetheless, something about holding the knife makes me feel better, especially when people piss me off.

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