Page 10 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

“Can we go, baby?” his date purrs in a beautiful soprano voice.

“I’ll meet you in there.” God, even Ashton’s voice is pure sin.

But I’ll reroute that in my brain. It pisses me off. I hate that my body gets all tingly and warm from his voice alone. I remind myself that I hate him and that steamy thoughts of Ashton have no place in my head.

“Sky.”

I refuse to look. He won’t have power then. But I feel him close to me. Warmth rolls off his body. Then, the sound of leaves breaking right near me. When I look up, he’s right there, one hand on the wall, blocking me in place.

“You’ve been hiding from me.”

I scoff, though my cheeks get warm. I hope it’s dark enough to hide my blush. It’s a surprise that he’s noticed since he’s been so busy the entire time. I’ve seen him leave the house every morning with a gym bag slung over his shoulder. He usually doesn’t return home until afternoon.

Deliberately sidestepping the question, I glance down at his outfit. “You’re not graduating. This isn’t your party.”

“Come on, bumble bee,” he says, using a term he used to call me. “Don’t be all cold and pouty. It’s not a good look.”

I look Ashton over slowly, taking in every bit of his big body compared to mine. Then I shrug. “Neither is yours.”

“I know that’s a lie,” he purrs. “You’d kill to get one touch.”

I duck from under his arm, irked that he’s actually teasing me. Does he have a memory loss, or something?

“I hope you treat your girlfriends better. Caging someone against a wall is predatory at best.”

He chuckles. “You don’t want to play with me?”

I pause in what was supposed to be a dramatic exit. I swallow hard. “No.”

“You used to love playing with me. You’d follow Chase and me around, wanting to be included in everything, no matter the game.” I don’t feel him right behind me, and he doesn’t touch me. Yay for small miracles. But he continues. “Aren’t you happy I’m letting you in now?”

“Fuck off.” I hiss. “You weren’t invited to my party. You or your brother. So how about you get him out before he gives me more shit?”

Ashton’s brows lift. “I’m just messing with you, Sky. You know that. Why the hostility?”

“Because you’re a dick,” I snap.

“Am I missing something?”

“Your date.” I shove my thumb toward the side gate. “Go see about her. Forget about me.”

“Ah.” Ashton cocks his head with a smirk. “Is this because I left two years ago without saying goodbye and that I haven’t been around since then?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I haven’t thought about you once.”

He taps my nose with a chuckle. I draw my head back, shooting him a nasty glare. “You were never a good liar, Sky. It’s okay to be mad at me. I’m sorry for not keeping in touch.”

I hold my glare.Yep. He’s definitely had amnesia.I can’t believe he’s standing here looking so innocent, pretending that shit-show never happened.

“Go and enjoy your party,” he motions, even though he’s right there, and I’d have to edge by him. A dangerous gaze plays in his eyes. “Go on.”

“It’s not my kind of party,” I reply, picking grass between my toes.

“I figured as much. Bonnie talked you into it, didn’t she?” he says knowingly, and I shrug.

“Well …you might not be enjoying yourself, but congrats anyway.”

“On?” I’m waiting for the sass and sarcasm. That’s what he’s known for.

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