Page 54 of Reject (Academy of Misfits 2)

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“Where’ve you been?” Camden says as he barges into my room just as I’m rough drying my hair that’s still wet from the shower I took after my swim. I’m sitting in my tank top, shorts and fluffy purple socks just about ready to climb into my bed and sleep.

“Evening to you too,” I respond, not bothering to turn around to greet him. I remain sitting crossed legged on the floor in front of my mirror.

“That’s not an answer.”

“Well, that’s the only one you’re going to get from me.” The scowl he gives me is epic. “You know you need to stop pulling that face because you’ll have a line deeper than the Grand Canyon between your eyebrows when you’re older if you carry on like that.”

“I’m not betting I’ll see past thirty, so I don’t really give a shit,” he says grimly, before slamming the door shut and locking it. He leans against the door, making no move towards me.

“That’s fucking morbid,” I retort.

“But that’s the truth, Asia. I’m not going to get to live to the ripe old age of eighty with a family full of kids and grandkids. That’s not how it works.”

“It could be…”

He barks out a laugh. “No, it really can’t.”

And given what I know, he’s probably right. His mum is owned by the King.His mum. One false move and both she and Camden are dead. I’ve no doubt about it.

It changes everything.

“You’ve been avoiding me, Asia, and I don’t fucking like it,” he eventually says, staring at me in the mirror as I continue to deal with my wet, tangled hair or at least try to.

I shrug my shoulders, feigning nonchalance before meeting his gaze. “Avoiding you? I haven’t been able to get a moment’s peace. You’re everywhere I go, Camden.”

“You’re making me look a fool. You might be with me, but you’re notwithme, with me.”

I roll my eyes. “Can you hear yourself? I’m not at your beck and call.”

“That’s not what we agreed…” he argues, having the audacity to look like he actually believes that.

“We agreed that I would choose you and reject my friends. I’ve done that.” And for the most part I have. He doesn’t need to know about the kiss I shared with Ford.I’mtrying hard not to think about it.

“You’ve got a short memory, Asia. Youagreedto be my girl. You’re not doing a very good job at it.” He moves forward, stopping only when he’s standing directly behind me. I remain where I am, then pick up my comb and start combing out the tangles.

“I’m my own damn person. If I don’t feel like talking, then I’m not talking. If I don’t want you to fucking kiss me, touch me like youownme, then I’m going to back the fuck off. I’m fully aware what I am to you and that is a side piece, a jewel, agemthat you can flash about because it strokes your ego to do so. I don’t fit into the mould of adoring girlfriend. I refuse to be someone I’m not.” I let out a long sigh and take my frustrations out on my hair, yanking at the strands. The truth is I should be doing exactly what he wants. I should be spending every second of every moment with him trying to get him to open up. I should be acting like his girl. I’m not very good at this undercover bullshit.

“You’re fucking impossible, do you know that?” Camden says, as he sits down behind me, his long legs sliding past my own. He takes the comb from me. “Here, let me.”

“What do you think you’re doing?” I twist around trying to snatch the comb back. He holds it away from me, amusement glinting in his stupidly beautiful eyes. For some reason that just winds me up more. “Give it back, arsehole!”

“Ask me nicely,” he retorts as I turn, kneeling in front of him trying to snatch the comb from his hand. The fucker has long arms.

“Well this is fun,” he grins darkly, and it takes me a few seconds to realise that my braless tits are practically pressed into his face. No wonder he’s smiling. His hands drop and slide around my back. I can feel the hard ridge of the comb digging into my skin as he holds onto me. The air sparks as I hold my breath. My body stiffens, trying to ignore the undeniable attraction between us. Maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me. Maybe it’s the lust gathering in his topaz eyes, swimming there like tropical fish in a warm ocean. Or perhaps it’s what lies beneath the shallows, what’s hidden in the depths where dangerous creatures swim. Maybe Pink had been right, maybe it is the danger I’m drawn too. But as I stare at him, neither of us moving, neither of us backing down, I see what’s beyond the pretty shallows. I see past the depths and right to the core and the solid stone that lines his heart. I see fissures so deep that I’m surprised he isn’t drowning.

“Asia…” he mutters, his grip tightening. My body sways, reacting instinctively to his voice and the need I hear there.

What the fuck is happening? I swear to God, I’m about one second away from diving into his depths and never coming up for air. This guy isn’t just dangerous to my health, he has the power to end me. I have the sense of mind to rest my hand on his shoulders, pushing him back slightly. He coughs to clear his throat.

“Can I comb your hair?” he asks in a voice so low that somehow it’s vulnerable in its gruffness. That vulnerability almost captures me like a damn fish on a hook. I immediately lean back and twist around, facing away from him again. My traitorous cheeks flushing a deep pink.

“Do what you want,” I snap, ignoring the scattering of goosebumps over my skin and my sudden, very prominent nipples. Fuck sake.

Camden lets out a long breath and begins to gently work out the knots. He takes his time, making sure my hair is free of tangles. “Why did you change the colour?” he asks after a while.

“What’s it to you?” I retort.

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