Page 54 of Tell Me You Like It

Where are you?

I wait a few seconds, and I see the three little bubbles pop up, indicating she’s replying, but they disappear soon after. No response. Nothing. She left my ass on read.

Oh, fuck no.

Jackson planted the seed of doubt in my head, and now, I can't think of anything else. I don’t say anything to the guys, I just turn and head to the back door, then to the driveway where my car is parked. I hop in and back out of the driveway, peeling down the road like a fucking psycho.

Maybe I am a psycho.

Maybe the apple doesn’t fall far from my father’s fucked-up, mutated tree.

I drive to the first logical place, which is also the closest—Lux’s residence hall. I let myself in with a master key card. I shouldn’t have it. Only residents of the dorm and administrators should have keys, but when I’d found out where Lux was going to be housed, I’d blackmailed theResident Assistant to get me my own key. He had, but reluctantly, telling the Housing Office that he’d lost his original keycard or some shit.

As soon as I’m in, I know I’m on camera, so I head up to Lux’s room quickly. Even if I’m caught, honestly, very few questions will be asked. Still, I don’t need that kind of drama right now. I’m focused on one thing, and one thing only–finding Lux.

It’s around midnight, and there are only a few people milling around the hallways, heading to the shared bathroom, or popping in and out of each other’s dorm rooms. When they see me, they all have the same reaction—they pause like they are trying to comprehend why I’m here. But they don’t talk to me, thank God. They must see the anger in my face, or the urgency in my stride.

I step in front of Lux’s door, and pound on the door, the flimsy particle board nearly giving way under my fist. In two seconds, the door is flung open, and on the other side is a girl wearing long pajamas, her eyes wide as saucers.

Lux’s roommate.

She looks too shocked or afraid to speak, and I step inside the dark room. Light floods in from the hallway, and I can see Lux’s shadow next to her bed. I’d recognize that lush silhouette anywhere.

She reaches over and turns a light on. She’s wearing an oversized t-shirt that hangs to her mid-thighs, revealing miles and miles of her naked, shapely legs. “Roman,” she says, and I can see her swallow. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Get out,” I say to the roommate.

The girl hesitates and looks like she wants to protest, but decides against it. She gathers up a couple of her things,and with one last look at Lux, does as she’s told, skittering out of the room. I shut the door behind her, and don’t even bother turning the lock.

When I turn back to Lux, I see fear in her eyes. I flash her a vicious smile. “Now where are you going to run?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Lux

I thoughtI was free of Roman. For tonight, at least. And now, here he is, standing in my tiny dorm room, looking pissed.

“Why are you here?” I ask again.

He takes a step forward, and my heart skips a beat. His beautiful face is drawn in anger, his jaw set, fists clenched at his sides. “I think you know.”

“I don’t,” I say, somehow managing to get the words past my lips. “When I left Rush House, you looked, um, busy.”

The image of that girl, sucking him off, is going to be stuck in my brain forever. I shouldn’t be jealous–I mean, hewantedthat to be me—but the fact that I’m so easily replaced is annoying. Not only that, but he went out of his way toshowme just how replaceable I am, which makes me want to scream.

Then hit him.

Then fall into my pillow and cry.

It’s disturbing how quickly Roman Rush has gotten into my head.

One dark eyebrow lifts. “Is that jealousy I hear in your voice?”

Yes.“No.” I clear my throat because it suddenly feels tight. “Just stating the facts.”

He laughs under his breath, and looks down, before glancing back up and catching my gaze.Damn. His eyes capture me, completely pulling me under his spell. And his beauty is only one small part of his appeal. He also has this ability to look into you, like you’re the only person on the planet, and he wants nothing more than to peel away every last one of your defenses until you’re exposed and vulnerable.

“You’re a terrible liar,” he says, still approaching.

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