Page 37 of Science Project

“Akio,” she whispered, her cheeks even redder, “I li?—”

But before she could finish her sentence, someone banged on the door. “Open up!”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-ONE

NICOLE

I smacked my lips closed and stared at Akio through the mirror as someone banged on the front door so loudly that we could hear it from his bedroom.

What is wrong with me?! He cleans me up, and I fall in love with him?!

Not only that … but I almost admit it to him?!

“What were you going to say?” Akio asked.

Turning away, I walked back over to the bed and searched for my purse. “Nothing.”

Whoever was at the door continued to bang on it like their goddamn life depended on it, and I glanced out the window and into his enormous backyard.

Akio had been returning the favor because I’d helped him the other night.

Nothing more.

Another bang.

“You should get the door,” I said.

Akio stared at me quietly for another moment, then slipped out of the room. When the door closed behind him, I slumped my shoulders forward and collapsed back onto his bed.

Fuck, that was close.

After lying back on the bed, I stared up at the ceiling and pulled Akio’s pillow to my chest, inhaling his scent. I closed my eyes and wished that I could get the courage up to leave Dad and go into hiding for good. I’d bring Akio with me.

It was only a fantasy because that could never happen.

I would always live in fear that he’d find me and take Akio from me.

With the pillow plastered against my chest, I pulled it even tighter and bit back the giggle that had been building in my throat. I thought Akio really liked me. I wasn’t sure, and maybe he didn’t, but nobody had taken care of me like he had last night.

Plus, no other guy would do that for someone that they didn’t feel something for, right?

Maybe?

Another giggle bubbled through my chest. I hoped so.

Once I played through the silly thought a few more times, I rolled off the bed and replaced the pillow so Akio didn’t walk in on me rolling all over his sheets like a madwoman just because I wanted him to become obsessed with my scent.

So much so that he couldn’t find it in any other woman.

“Nicole!” Akio shouted from downstairs. “It’s for you.”

For me?

After grabbing my purse, I exited the room and descended the stairs. I hopped off the last one and found my way to the foyer, eyes widening when I spotted Dad standing in the doorway with Akio and his mother.

“What are you doing here?” Dad asked.

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