Page 127 of Craving Venom

Because I don’t feel a single thing.

Not like I should. Not like I want to.

Zane can rearrange my organs with only a few words, but even a full blown kiss with Trevor is dull.

I keep my eyes open, locked on Zane, and for a moment his expression doesn’t change, but then it falters, it almost looks like he’s hurt. I feel it hit somewhere deep, but I shove it down, reminding myself it’s just another trick, another tactic to manipulate me. Because Zane doesn’t get hurt. He makes sure everyone else does.

Zane’s stoic expression returns, and whatever hurt was there for that fleeting second is gone, replaced with something so much more dangerous and it makes me break the kiss immediately.

I pull back, forcing a small laugh, turning to Tria before she can even ask. “That was for the jersey.”

Trevor, bless his clueless heart, is grinning like a fucking idiot, a soft pink dusting his cheeks.

“Well, damn,” he says, scratching the back of his neck. “If I knew ruining a jersey would get me a kiss, I’d have trashed a dozen so much sooner.”

I force a smile, but my entire body is still wired. I chance a glance back toward where Zane was standing, but he’s gone.

Maybe I was overreading into his expression.

Maybe—finally—Zane has nothing to do with me anymore.

And that’s a good thing.

I should feel relieved. Scratch that. I am relieved.

It’s a good day.

I don’t even realize I’ve started walking until Tria catches up to me.

“So…” she drawls, bumping my shoulder. “That mystery man is really Trevor?”

“Tria, I promise you, it’s not,” I laugh.

She sighs dramatically, looping her arm through mine as we head toward the dorms. “Well, that’s disappointing. You know he’s got it bad for you, right?”

I roll my eyes. “Trevor has it bad for anything that gives him attention.”

She laughs, nudging me again. We reach our building, and I step inside. For the first time tonight, my shoulders loosen.

A shower. Sleep. That’s all I need.

I step into my room, tossing my bag onto the bed. My fingers move on autopilot, grabbing my charger and plugging in my phone.

The screen lights up instantly.

And my stomach drops at a new message sitting in my inbox.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: If I were you, I’d make sure your door is locked tight because tonight, you’re getting punished.

I rush to the door, twisting the lock tight. My fingers tremble as I double-check it, making sure it’s secure. Pressing my back against the door, I suck in a shaky breath.

Iwouldhave felt safer if I weren’t suddenly so damn horny.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

THE MONSTER

Inever thought there was a downside to my photographic memory.

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