Page 29 of The Chemistry of Us

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve eaten today.”

It was seven at night.

I bit back my curse. “Okay, so now, as a thank-you, let me feed you.”

“I don’t need you.”

“Tru…”

“I’m serious. I can feed myself.”

“Yet you haven’t eaten today. You need to eat. You look like you’re going to pass out.” She was already too thin.

“I’m not your problem.”

“Cinderella, just let me fucking feed you.”

“No.”

“You’re so damn stubborn.”

“Says the man who won’t take no for an answer.”

She swayed in my arms. “That’s it.” Before she could say another word, I leaned forward and threw her tiny ass over my shoulder.

“Vaughan!”

“You can yell at me later.” Trust me, I enjoyed it more than I should.

“If you don’t put me down right now, I’ll?—”

“Hey, Tru, you ready?” a random guy asked her.

“Yes. As soon as this asshole puts me?—”

“You’re her next student?”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

“It’s not happening tonight.”

“Oh my God! He already paid me!”

Grabbing my wallet, I threw a couple of bills on the table. “She won’t be tutoring you now or ever. Find someone new.”

Her gasp was so loud it was hilarious.

I smacked her ass. “Let’s go.” Instantly, I spoke with conviction, “She’s mine, motherfucker. Make sure you tell anyone else she’s tutoring that she’s now closed for business.”

I meant every last word.

CHAPTER 11

VAUGHAN

My parents weren’t bad people, but they were overachievers. They always needed the best of the best and wouldn’t settle for anything less, especially when it came to their only son. My parents had to have nice things. They lived in a big house in a high-end, gated community when it was only the two of them.

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