Page 9 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

Yet, I remain rooted to the spot.

The vibrating windows settle as the engine shuts off. A tall figure emerges in slow motion, then moves around the passenger front door.

Peter’s meaner, older brother. The bane of my existence. The‘that’I refused to talk to Bonnie about.

Ashton Warren.

He’s much larger than when he left two years ago, wearing a tank top that shows off his muscular arms and his broad shoulders. The pair of trunks give me a generous view of his sculpted thighs and calves. The curve of his thick chest reminds me of a pillow. A rock pillow. Is there such a thing? If there is, it definitely reminds me of that. It seems he actually pursued his dream of boxing.

I scoff.He’s good for something, at least.

His copper brown hair is curly and kept short, shaved on the sides. He has a scruff beard now, and it makes him look…

Hot.

Mouthwatering.

No!

I shake my head. He’s a dick. I’m not going to think of how attractive he is.

He called me a witch when I was little and would poke dead things or look for skeletons of frogs. He called me a weirdo for liking bugs. He yanked my hair and pushed me into the pool when he got bored. His pranks often had me rushing to Mom in tears.

Yet, those name-calling and pranks don’t compare to why I hate him so much.

Not even close.

It’s been two years. I should let it go. For some reason, it’s hard to move on. Hard to forget.

Ashton pulls the passenger door open, and a cute brunette steps out, wearing a bodycon stress that barely covers her lady parts. Well, at least until she pulls it down, and it falls at mid-thigh.

I wonder if she knows.

Would she be okay with knowing she’s not the first girl he’s taken home since coming back to town? Or that she won’t be the last?

Ashton might’ve changed physically over the last two years, but he’s still a man whore. Guys like him will never stop being a dick.

I press myself against the wall as they head up the driveway, and I hope where I’m standing is dark enough to keep me hidden. Within a minute, they’ll get inside his house, and I’ll be safe enough to get through my front door.

Five seconds later, I realize tonight isreally not my nightwhen they head toward me. There’s nowhere to run, not without them noticing me.

Fuck.

I rub my forehead and hope, if there’s any magic in this world, the wall will swallow me.

Yep. Definitely not my night.

Squaring my shoulders and arranging a smile, I wait for them, bracing for a snide remark from him, although he might be on his best behavior, considering he’s with a date. Who am I kidding? Ashton gives zero fucks about what anyone thinks of him. He proved it after what he did to me.

He glances at me in passing, then does a double-take, his eyes skimming my body. “Sky?”

“No, Earth,” I reply with a scoff, folding my arms beneath my breasts.

Ashton’s gaze flies everywhere, and my body comes alive under his scrutiny. His eyes fly up to meet mine, and I catch a hint of guilt on his face. I’m not sure what it means. He clears his throat. “What are you doing alone in the dark?”

“Meditating.”

He scoffs at my dry reply.

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