Page 456 of Hate Mates

“Where’s Gabe?” I don’t even know why I’m asking about him. I bet he hasn’t given me a second thought.

“You're too good for him.” He brings his face closer, leaning forward. His thumb strokes up and across my lips, a move that’sso intimate. “There’s a lot of stuff you don’t know about Gabriel. But I’m going to look after you.” His smile is confusing.

“You can’t keep me here against my will.”

“I’m hoping that you decide you want to stay,” his breath skitters across my face.

I want to laugh at the nonsense of it all, but it comes out as a sneer. “What, in this room? Yeah of course I’d love to stay.” He smiles again, “How can you expect me to be agreeable. I don’t know why I’m here and you won’t tell me where Gabe is or even what he’s d…” his lips cut me off, a gasp sounds between us as my breath hitches in my throat. I’m momentarily stunned, but I find myself letting him carry on, my body softening and releasing some of the tension it was holding.

His lips pull away from mine just enough for him to speak, “Forget about him. I would treat you like a princess.” He takes my lips again, his hand snaking around the back of my neck to bring me closer. I soon find myself returning his kiss. I’m disgusted with myself, why would I do this? As though he can feel my internal debate, he deepens the kiss. Fuck. I’m sure there’s a name for this kind of situation. I grapple for air as I pull away from him, my lips tingling from the attention he lavished upon them.“Say you’ll let me treat you like my princess.” Our eyes meet, “I was attracted to you the first night we met.”

“How can I believe you when you say that when you’ve kept me as a prisoner.”

“I know you felt the spark too. Let’s not fight it. I promise I will never hurt you.”

“I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?”

He stands from the bed, holding out a hand for me. I glance around the all but empty room then back at his large hand.

What the hell am I doing?

ONE

Aria

A FEW WEEKS EARLIER.

The steam warms my face as it billows from the top of the cup and I sip my coffee, lost in my own little world, while my best friend Stacy rambles on about my boyfriend, Gabe.

“Why haven’t you kicked his ass to the curb by now, he’s nothing but a waste of space.”

I look over the rim of my cup and roll my eyes, “Oh come on, he’s not that bad.” I sigh. I’m so fed up of the whole conversation.

“What?” Stacy’s face screws up, “Surely you’re not that deluded?” her head shakes but her hard gaze doesn't falter. “Fuck Ari, he’s a stoner and he’s going to hurt you.”

“I appreciate your concern but I’m fine.” A ripple effect appears on the surface of my coffee as I blow on it to cool it down before I take another sip.

“Course you are.” Her eyes roll and she looks away.

I have the weirdest feeling that I’m missing something. I put my cup down and give her my full attention. “Right, out with it. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Her pupils fix on mine as a heavy sigh falls from her lips. “I’ve heard some things, that's all.”

“Like?”

“Like, he’s getting in with the wrong crowd.”

“Stace, he’s not sixteen.” I snap. “Surely, he can decide who the wrong people are. He’s a fucking adult.” I try to keep my harsh tone to a minimum; not everyone wants to hear me swear like a sailor.

“You sure about that?” A mumbled reply falls from her lips, followed by a sigh, she leans forward and narrows her eyes. “I don’t think you understand, Ari.” She sips her coffee. She’s playing for time, but I’m not going to let her stop there.

“Go on.”

She places her cup down and folds her arms on the table. “It’s not just weed he’s smoking. I’ve heard he’s taking something stronger…”

“Stacy.”

“No, Ari. He works for some dangerous people, I don’t want to see you get hurt,” she reaches across the table and takes my hand, “or worse.”

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