Page 144 of Steps

“Look, just tell me where he is,” I say firmly.

He snorts. “Fine.” Then he points down thepassage. “This way.”

I follow him past the dancing bodies and smokersuntil reaching the stairs.

Finn motions for me to keep going down. I purse mylips. “Yeah, right.”

“That’s where he is, I swear. I’m not fucking withyou.”

“You go first.” I move so he can step past me,descending the stairs behind him.

Quite a few people are chilling in the basement;drinking, playing pool and passing blunts. Some are couples, others just guysjoking around.

Finn points across to the other side. Lookingthrough the bodies, I glimpse Varen sitting on a couch. Heat rises in me.Butterflies turn up like a disco in my tummy. My heart skips with glee.Damn.I’ve missed him.

I’m about to walk over when a familiar brunetteslides onto his lap, grabs his hair, and presses her lips to his. At least notongue, and it’s a short kiss.

“Told you,” Finn says, standing too close forcomfort.

Varen chortles awkwardly with Kelly. I shift myweight. Ball my fists.I want to run over and pull her fucking hair out fortouching him.

A guy standing nearby reaches a blunt to Varen.He’s about to accept it when his eyes spot me across the room. His smilevanishes instantly.

Feeling like a fool, I spin and hurry off, racingback upstairs.

“Hey!” Varen calls at my back as I quicken downthe passage. He’s chasing me. I didn’t think he would. Feared he’d be tooangry.

The second I burst out the door, I feel his firmgrip at my arm. I gasp as he yanks me back, dragging me into the shadows at theside of the house.

Varen backs me up against the wall and traps me inwith both hands at my sides. “What the fuck are you doing here?” His breath isa mixture of mint, alcohol, and marijuana.

“I heard you were having a hard time.” My breathingis ragged. I can’t stop my body from trembling. Gawd! I miss this guy.

“So, what? You thought you’d check on me?” Heseems livid.

I struggle to remain composed. “Yeah, but I guessyou’re just fine. You jerk. Didn’t take long for you to move on.”

He huffs. “You don’t get to be jealous. You brokeup with me, remember?”

“Of course, I remember. It’s all I think aboutevery single day, Varen.” Tears escape and fall down my face. “I’m constantlyworrying about you. Feeling like the worse person in the entire universe forhurting you.”

“Well, that’s too fucking bad.” He scoffs, thenbacks away from me and rakes a hand through his hair. He isn’t leaving, and Idon’t want him to either.

I lift my clutch before me to take out theenvelope but stall when he curses and comes close again to touch my armsensually.

“Varen,” I say on an exhale as he hovers near mylips. “Wait.”

“You didn’t wear my favorite dress just to checkon me.” He lowers his hands and starts to raise my dress.

His touch on my skin is intoxicating. I shudder ashis fingers move upward along my thighs.

“This isn’t why I came here,” I mutter in anervous voice. It sounds like a lie even to me.

“Is that right? Let’s see then.” He kneels andproceeds to spread kisses on the inside of my thigh. I close my eyes, giving into desire.

But guilt pierces my emotions, reminding me thatmy mom lost her baby because of us.

Just as he tugs at my panties, I open my eyes andmove away fast before things progress.

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