Page 26 of The Broken Note

That defiance of hers always did something to me.

Made my blood pound with frustration. With need.

Now, it just worries me.

Something’s wrong.

And screwing her won’t get to the bottom of it.

No matter how loudly my straining pants is screaming the opposite.

I’ve only had shallow flings with girls before. I don’t know much about dating, but I know that screwing like rabbits isn’t enough to keep a relationship alive.

Or else dad wouldn’t be such a massive freaking disappointment as a husband and father.

If anyone has a hard time keeping it in his pants, it’s him.

Musical chimes rush through Redwood Prep.

Our last warning.

“Class is about to start,” Cadence says. She averts her gaze and stares straight ahead.

I called you. Why didn’t you answer? Did you sleep well? Did you have breakfast? Did you and Vi work things out?

I clench my jaw and swallow the words back.

Zane was right. Iamacting like one of those girls who beg me to call them again after I’m through taking what I want.

This isn’t me.

I don’t cling.

I don’t plead.

I make demands and I take what belongs to me.

And this girl, she’s mine.

It’s only a matter of time before she accepts it.

Tilting my chin up, I walk until I’m beside her and then I walk ahead of her. When she doesn’t follow me, I turn back.

Cadence eyes me warily.

I beckon her with my fingers. “I thought you didn’t want to be late for class.”

She scoffs and stalks past me, her skirt flaring around her upper thighs and almost flashing a butt cheek. My fingers tingle, eager to palm that stretch of skin, but I dip my hand into my pocket instead and follow her to the classroom.

She throws angry eyes over her shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“Going to school.”

“You’re not eveninthis class.”

“Of course I’m in this class.” I scowl at her and open the door so she can walk through. “I just don’t attend.”

She makes a disbelieving sound in her throat.

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