Page 89 of The Sweetest Revenge

I thought we'd moved past the whole fear of the football team gangbanging me but apparently not.

"No, you're not," he said. "You're getting on this bike with me, and it's up to you how you get on."

My lip curled into a snarl. "I liked it better," I snatched the helmet off the bike, "when you didn't care what happened to me."

He huffed out a laugh as he grabbed his helmet and leaned into me. "I've always cared what happened to you." The corners of his lips curled into a devilish grin. "No one is going to touch you but me. Not for any reason." He shrugged. "That's always been the rule. Why do you think no guys talked to you in high school?"

My brows pulled together. "Because of you?" He nodded. "You're a dick."

"College." He rolled the word like it tasted bitter. "Different crowd, same game. Which is exactly why I had to put you on your knees in front of everyone. EJ wasn't getting the message."

"Don't." My nails dug crescents into my palms, fighting back the hot sting of humiliation. "You did that because you wanted to ruin my life."

"I did that because you are mine, and there was only one way to make that happen." His knuckles whitened around the bike's handlebars. "I just didn't anticipate EJ and his pack going after you instead of me."

"You're being ridiculous." I shifted away from the intensity rolling off him in waves. "EJ isn't going to do anything. "You're seeing monsters where there's just?—"

"Just the guy whose specialty drink had you stripping out of your clothes?" Zaiden's voice cut like glass. "That kind of harmless?"

My stomach turned. "You don't know if it was him or anyone on the football team."

"It's not a risk I'm willing to take, princess." His breath ghosted across my cheek, warm against the morning chill. "Get on the fucking bike. Before we are both late to class."

He released me.

I stood there, keys still digging into my palm.

With a heavy sigh that felt like surrender, I climbed onto the bike.

I honestly didn't know what EJ was capable of, but having Zaiden shadow my every move felt like trading one cage for another. I wanted him gone, needed him gone, except for those traitorous moments when his presence made me feel untouchable. Safe. The way he used to before everything imploded. Those moments were the most dangerous of all.

The bike vibrated to life before we both pulled on our helmets. I sat up straight with my arms crossed, pouting that he'd won, but there was nothing new about that.

Zaiden always won.

"Hold on," his voice crackled through the helmet speaker. I kept my arms crossed, the cool air biting through my jacket. His hands found my knees, one sharp tug erasing the space between us. "You really like to do things the hard way, don't you?" My lip curled even though I knew he couldn't see it. "You can admit it. You like it when I tie you up."

"I do not. I don't even want to be on this bike with you."

"Would you prefer rope or handcuffs?"

"For—What?"

"To secure your hands around me."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever, Zaiden. Let's go." I wrapped my arms around his waist, hating how familiar it felt.

"That's better." Satisfaction coiled off him in waves, thick enough to choke on.

"Let's just go." The words came out clipped, brittle.

The bike lurched forward—tires catching gravel, spinning, then finally gripping asphalt. I hadn't meant to, but my fingers betrayed me, digging deeper into his jacket with each acceleration.

At the red light, the bike idled. "When is your first class?" Zaiden asked, his voice unnaturally casual.

I stared at the back of his helmet, seeing only my own reflection. "Why? Planning to escort me to my desk, too?"

His shoulders tensed beneath his leather jacket. "I'm going to drop you off, and then I'll be back before you get out."

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