Page 12 of Toxic

Sean shrugs. "Whatever's easy for you. Surprise me. I'm not picky."

"And for you?" Patrick asks me.

"The same," I reply, and my stomach flips.

Sean pulls me into the next room then sits. He tugs me onto his lap then tucks my hair behind my ear. "Why do you look nervous?"

I scrunch my forehead, trying to figure out what to say. I finally blurt out, "I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

His face falls. "Why would I be?"

I wince, staying silent.

"Ah. I see. Because of your father's money?"

"That sounds really bad," I admit.

"But it's true?"

I momentarily squeeze my eyes shut then nod. "Yeah."

His lips twitch. "Are you uncomfortable at my nana's pub?"

"What? No! Of course not!"

"What about the house I share with my brothers?"

"I love your house. But you're there, and that's all I care about," I confess.

He gives me a chaste kiss on my lips. "That's all I care about, too, Bridge. So chill out and let me see how the other half live." He wiggles his eyebrows.

I laugh, and my nerves die. That's the thing about Sean. He always makes me laugh, no matter what the situation. "Okay."

His hand slides up my shirt, stroking my spine. "Your dad isn't letting me stay in your room, though, is he?"

I lean closer. "He said you couldn't go in my room. He didn't say anything about me sneaking into yours."

Sean chuckles. "Dirty girl."

"I still can't believe you're here," I acknowledge.

"Couldn't have you kissing someone else at midnight, could I?"

My stomach flips, and I look away. Guilt fills me about Dante having his lips on mine.

Sean's voice turns serious. "Bridget?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. My insides quiver, and when I lock eyes with Sean, I feel so sick, I get dizzy.

His eyes widen, and his hand stops moving on my back. The color drains from his cheeks. "Did you—" He sniffs hard. "Did you kiss someone else?"

I shake my head, whispering, "Yes. No. I-I didn't want it."

Anger flares in Sean's tone. "What the fuck does that mean, Bridget? Did you, or did you not, kiss someone?"

"No! I didn't kiss anyone. But he...he kissed me."

Sean rises, putting me on my feet.

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