Page 8 of Steps

“Excuse me?” I blurt and roll my eyes at him.“That’s none of your business.”

He snorts. “It’s either yes or no. Have you everfucked someone?”

“No, I’ve never...”

“You can’t say the word ‘fuck’?” He smirks andsits out at the side of the bed.

“I can, I just choose not to.” I pick at my nails,wondering why I’ve allowed him to bring me to this house, and inside this room.

Varen appears amused. He straightens from the bedand edges closer to me.

My heart starts to sprint as he places his righthand at the side of my head and touches my hip with his left.

A nervous breath rushes from my lips. “What areyou—”

“Shh,” he whispers, trailing his hand down mythigh. “I haven’t been with a virgin in a while.”

My eyes bug out. “Excuse me? Varen, don’t.”

“Don’t what?” He hovers near my mouth, his hotminty breath stirring up a heatwave in me. “Want to have some fun?” He lickshis lips. “I could… teach you.”

“What?” I swallow hard and try to keep myselftogether. “You can’t say stuff like that to me.”

My words draw a soft chortle out of him. “Yet youstill haven’t said you want to leave.”

“Because I don’t want to be rude.” My voice comesout shaky, peppered with desire.

Who is this guy, a necromancer? Why is my bodyreacting this way to him?

“Or,” I tremble as he lightly rubs my lip with histhumb, “maybe you’re not such a good girl, and you do want me.”

“Varen...” Just as he’s about to move in for akiss, I turn my head fast, push his arm blocking the way, and run out the door.

I hasten outside of the house and halt by his car,breathing rapidly. Ugh. I should have told him to take me home after leavingschool.

Varen comes out shortly. I straighten and actunbothered, composing myself. Finn calls after him from the door.

“Got something for ya,” he announces.

They speak quietly. Varen slips him cash, and Finnhands him a small plastic bag of blue pills in exchange. He slides it into hispocket then slants to see if I’m watching.

I drop my eyes, but it’s too late.

Varen comes up to me when Finn goes back insidethe house. “Sorry about that. Guess I’m just high.”

“It’s fine.” I look up at him. “Let’s forget whathappened.”

“What happened?” He smirks and reaches by me tothe door, opening it for me.

“Um, look, I know it’s none of my business, butyou shouldn’t do that stuff. If you need help, maybe you could talk to—”

“You’re right,” he says evenly, “it’s none of yourbusiness. The last thing I need is a goody-two-shoes telling me what I shouldor shouldn’t do.”

I’m annoyed by the bite in his tone. “Hey, I’m notjudging you or—”

“Get in, Latoya. I’ll take you home.” Varen motionsinside the car. He’s done with the conversation it seems.

“Fine.” I suck my teeth and hop in. He closes thedoor, and we leave the party house right away.

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