Page 7 of Sweet Addiction

“Hey,” with that one word, his voice settles over me and moisture seeps into my panties. I squeeze my eyes shut. Fuck. Out of all the men in the world, he is the one to turn me into a lust-filled teenager. My mother’s fiancé?

Grabbing my mug, I take a big gulp as I turn to face Knox. My pulse kicks up when I find his eyes already on me. They rake over every inch of me as a smirk curves his lips. My own narrow, but it only seems to amuse him. “Nice uniform,” he comments. I roll my eyes and move to grab a fresh muffin off the counter. I need to get out of here. Striding to the door, I stop when he says, “I can drive us to school.”

Turning to face him, he lifts a shoulder nonchalantly. I am struggling to be in the expansive space of this kitchen with him let alone a car. “Thank you, but no. I will drive myself.”

Undeterred he speaks again, “It makes sense. We are going to the same place. Think of the benefits to the environment by carpooling.”

I snort a laugh. “Good one. I have seen some of the cars you drive in the tabloids, and they aredefinitely notenvironmentallyfriendly.”

“Suit yourself.” He grabs some keys off the counter and strides toward me. Stopping beside me, he leans in, his hot breath hitting my ear. “See you at schoolMadison.” I shiver again at the suggestive tone of his voice, squeezing my eyes shut. I am so screwed. No matter the true nature of my mother’s relationship with him, it still doesn’t give me the right to lust after him. There is obviously something wrong with me to be doing that. I am clearly sick. Disgusting for even thinking about him in a sexual way. Idefinitelyshould not be alone with him—in a car or anywhere really.

No. I made the right choice by driving myself. I need to stay away from Knox McCabe before I do something I can’t take back.

* * *

“Mads,” my friend Mackenzie screeches as she bounces toward my car. I smile. Out of all the people I call friends in this place, Mackenzie is an actual real friend that I have known since kindergarten. We spoke every other day over the summer, and she even spent a few days with me in New York when she was on the East Coast visiting family.

“Hey Kenz,” I grunt when she plows into me, squeezing me in a tight embrace.

Pulling back, she grins. “Can you believe it’s senior year?”

“I can because we were juniors last year,” I tease with a smile.

Shoulder bumping me, she shakes her head. “I just can’t believe this is our last year together before we go off and do our own thing.”

Sighing, I grab my bag and link our arms as we start toward the entrance. “I know, but we will always be friends. That will never change.”

“I know that, but it won’t be the same.” She pouts as we push through the door and stride down the hall to our lockers which happen to be next to each other. I feel eyes on us as we come to a stop and in the next second, I am letting out a shriek as I am lifted into the air.

Hands land on my ass, and I tense. I know who it is before he even speaks. “Hey baby, did you miss me?”

I glare down at Talan before plastering on a smile as I remember where we are. “Put me down. You scared me.” I’m laughing but it’s forced.

Lowering me slightly but not putting me on my own two feet, he invades all my personal space and plants a wet kiss on my mouth. Gross. I don’t say that though. No. I just grin like an idiot and play my part. Talan groans, squeezing my ass harder. “You are so fucking hot. I missed you.” He didn’t miss me. There is no doubt in my mind that Talan hooked up with girls over the summer. Everyone—apart from Mackenzie—thinks we are the perfect couple. The high school sweethearts that took each other’s virginity and continue to fuck like rabbits because we just can’t keep our hands off each other. It couldn’t be further from the truth. And not from Talan’s lack of trying. Truth is, I just don’t want to fuck him. Never have and never will. And that means he can hook up with whoever he likes as long as he is discreet. It’s the perfect solution. Talan gets to have sex with other girls, and because the male population at Westview thinks I belong to Talan, I get left alone. Everyone thinks we are a real couple. We are not—even if Talan thinks differently.

“Put me down.” I am smiling down at him but there is a warning in my voice. Just because we play the role of boyfriend and girlfriend doesn’t mean he gets to fondle me like this. I am okay with the odd kiss to keep up appearances but touching me up like this, crosses a line.

“Nah, I think I will keep you in my arms where I can touch you.” He chuckles.

My eyes narrow, but he doesn’t take any notice of it. I open my mouth to tell him again, but someone beats me to the punch.

“Shesaid, put her down. Now,” the deep voice bellows, making me feel warm all over. Shit. No. No it doesn’t.

My head snaps up, landing on Knox who looks positively murderous. He storms toward us, fists clenched, jaw ticking. I pale, scared of what he might do before I hit Talan’s chest, silently asking him to let me go. He doesn’t. Instead, he tightens his grip and glances over his shoulder, toward the threatening voice. Knox’s eyes go to where Talan holds my ass. If possible, his face turns angrier.

Stepping up to us, he grips Talan’s arm. “If you want to keep your teeth, you will put Madison down now,” he hisses, prying his arms off me.

Confusion flashes on Talan’s face before being replaced by recognition and he finally steps back. His head whips between Knox and me. He points at the latter with a chuckle. “You’re Knox McCabe. It’s true then, you are the new coach?”

Knox smiles but it’s not a nice look. Getting in Talan’s face he grits his teeth. “I am and if you touch Madison like that again, I will make it my personal mission to ruin you. By the looks of it you are what?” He makes a show of looking him up and down. “Ahh my guess is the quarterback?”

Talan nods, puffing his chest out with a nod. “Yeah, I am.”

“Good. If you want to stay in that position, I advise you to take my warning seriously,” he bites out.

“Fuck.” Talan slaps his forehead. “Of course. You are going to be Madi’s new stepdad. You don’t need to see me with my hands all over her. My apologies sir,” he says with a laugh, yet he sounds sincere. My mouth drops open. What the fuck is happening right now? I feel all eyes on us, then someone steps up behind me.

“Madi?” Kenzie whispers but I ignore her.

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