Page 42 of Innocent Princess

I'm driving a fucking car right now and not able to give her a proper kiss in return.

The relationship conversation was good. It was enough of a distraction that I forgot about my turned-off phone in my pocket. At least for a little while. With a groan, I maneuver the phone out of my pocket and power it on. I slide it under my thigh while I give it time to welcome its self back to life. All too soon, my phone feels like a damn vibrator with the constant notifications as it plays catch up.

Shit.Something's going on.

I'm not about to try to read my messages while I'm driving, nor ask Zella to read them to me, so I check the next mile marker sign and see that we are less than ten miles from an exit. I'm hoping there's a gas station.

Sure enough, we're in luck.

After getting gas, I pull the car up to the side of the station and finally peek at my phone.

I've got a half a dozen texts from Wells, plus two calls. What surprises me more than the few missed calls from an unknown number is that I have four missed calls from my uncle.

Pulling the phone up to my ear, I listen to the only message he left me. "Ryker, this is the last time I clean up your fucking messes. I'll see what my lawyers can do, but you might be shit out of luck."

His pissed off tone is enough to send shivers down my spine. But the message was short and didn't give me a lot of information. I open up my messages and start to read the several from Wells.

Wells:There are some suits here on campus asking about you.

Wells:Holy shit, Ryker. What did you do?

Wells:You need to call me ASAP.

Wells:I really don't want Zella to get hurt, but if you don't contact me soon, I'm going to have to call her. Shit isn't looking good for you right now, man.

My stomach drops, and sweat prickles on the back of my neck. I have no idea what the fuck is going on, but it doesn't sound good. No way did campus security catch on to my server hack. We're talking about a few semester grades, no biggie. The dudes who paid me weren't there on scholarship or anything.

I hear Zella before I see her. She must be heading back to the car, so I fire off a text to Wells.

Me:Phone's been off. I have no idea what's going on. Be back in about five hours.

Hitting send, I slide the phone back in my pocket.

"Did you get a hold of Wells?" she asks as she comes up to stand in front of me. I'm leaning against the side of the car. To calm my nerves, I place my hands on her hips and pull her into me. She moves effortlessly as if she were waiting for an invitation. Leaning down, I find her lips and kiss her. The kiss doesn't last long thanks to the vibration in my pocket, bringing me back to reality.

"I did. Hop in the car. Going to run to the restroom real fast." Regretfully, I let her go.

"Already got you some snacks," she replies in a sing-song voice. She slides into the front seat and closes the door. I turn and walk into the building, barely waiting a second before checking my phone.

Wells:Come to campus security as soon as you drop off Zella.

Damn it. The next five hours are not going to be easy. Since I don't know what kind of trouble I'm so obviously in, I better make the most of my time with Zella. After I find out what the hell is going on, who knows if she'll still be into me.

The time somehow simultaneously drags on and passes at light speed. Before we know it, it's ten o'clock at night and I'm pulling up in front of the Lofts. Cameron is waiting just inside and meets us right as I pull the key from the ignition.

I drag myself out of the car and grab Zella's bags from the backseat. I get a look of concern from Zella when I hand her bags to Cam. She must be expecting me to come up. I badly want to come up with her. Hell, I'd stay the night with her if I could, but I can't. I can't ignore whatever real-life bull shit is waiting for me at the campus security building.

"All right, Blondie. I've gotta run, but we'll talk in the morning." I try not to be a dick, but I can't stay.

Her eyebrows crease. "Oh, okay." She turns away to follow Cam, who's clearly giving me the cold shoulder. But I'm not leaving things between us like this. I reach out and catch her hand, stopping her. When she looks back at me, I pull her arm, and she follows. I dig my hands into her hair and kiss her with passion. I hear a throat clear somewhere behind her but ignore it.

Slowly breaking the kiss, I smile down at her dazed, blissful face.

"I had an amazing few days with you. Don't forget to put lotion on that tat." She looks up at me and nods. She breaks away from me and walks back toward the building entrance.

"Night, Blondie." I try to keep the panic out of my voice.

With a half-smile, she waves and despairs into the building.

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