Page 114 of Prince of Hawthorne Prep

Being consumed in the best way possible.

“Get a room,” someone shouts, breaking into the protective bubble that surrounds us.

“Or don’t,” another guy laughs. “I wouldn’t mind watching that girl get fucked.”

Austin strokes his tongue against mine before reluctantly pulling away. He glances around, spotting one of the loudmouths near the pool.

“Hey, Garrickson?” Austin calls out, voice raised over the noise of the party.

The redheaded kid glances at us with a stupid grin on his face.

“Shut the fuck up.”

Austin’s attention locks on his friend. “You, too.”

Their smiles dim in wattage as they glance at each other before swinging away.

“So fucking childish,” he grumbles.

“Welcome to high school,” I say lightheartedly, not wanting them to ruin our night.

His expression eases and his lips hitch. “Yeah, I guess so.”

A burst of wind whips over us and a shiver scampers across my skin. When I press closer to his warmth, he grabs the hem of his sweatshirt before yanking it up his body. As soon as it’s removed, he drags it over my head. I shove my arms through the sleeves as the material settles around me. It’s so warm and smells exactly like Austin. It takes every ounce of my willpower to resist bringing the thick cotton to my nose and inhaling a lungful of his masculine scent.

“Better?”

“Much,” I say with a contented smile. “Thank you.”

For the second time, I burrow against his brawny chest before tilting my head and slanting a look up at him. “Aren’t you cold?”

“Nope. I’ve got you to warm me up.”

His hands slip beneath the hem of the sweatshirt before drifting along my ribcage and settling under the gentle swell of my breasts. All he has to do is inch his thumb upward a bit and he would be touching me. The sweatshirt is so oversized that no one would be the wiser. Our gazes cling as he strokes my bare flesh. I lose all sense of time as people come and go, no one daring to intrude on the moment we’re having.

When the hair at the base of my neck prickles, I’m struck with the feeling of eyes crawling over me. It’s different than the curious stares that have been aimed in our direction for most of the evening.

Unable to shake the disturbing sensation of being watched, I lift my head and scan the area. It doesn’t take long for my gaze to collide with Jasper’s. Instead of looking away, his attention stays locked on mine as he lifts the Solo cup to his lips and downs the contents. He doesn’t pay attention to Sloane and one of her minions as they hang on him. His broody stare stays locked on me.

A jolt of unease slides through my body before settling at the bottom of my belly like a heavy stone. No matter what I do, it’s impossible to dislodge. I’m knocked from the strange paralysis when Austin nips at my lower lip.

My gaze slices to him.

He searches my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

I force a smile, unwilling to bring up my ex. “Nothing.”

Steeliness grows in his eyes as his jaw locks. “Don’t lie to me.”

Heat suffuses my cheeks as his gaze shifts, settling on someone over my shoulder. “Looks like we have an audience.”

The sinking sensation in my gut grows. I wish Jasper would move on and leave us alone. It’s over. He did his damnedest to keep us apart and it didn’t work. I’m sure he’s furious. The guy is used to getting his way and has no idea how to handle rejection or walk away from a fight.

“Unfortunately.”

The corners of his lips tilt as his hand slips from beneath the sweatshirt and slides around the back of my skull before propelling me forward.

“Let him watch. You belong to me now.”

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