Page 105 of Mad As Hell

I raised myself up to my tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “I’m going to go change.”

His gaze snapped to mine. “No.”

My brows slowly climbed. “No?” I repeated, a little dumbstruck.

He grinned and leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. “I like the idea of you thinking about me every time you move.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Ryan—”

His teeth bit on my earlobe hard enough to sting. “No, Maddie. Do as I say.”

Fuck. That growly tone wasn’t helping the situation in my pants.

“I’m not your property,” I snapped, keeping my voice quiet because people were still around us. “You can’t just order me around.”

He pulled back and smirked. “Can’t I?”

I scowled at him. “No.”

“Let’s test that theory, shall we?” The teasing glint in his eyes, coupled with the knowledge that Ryan pretty much owned this school, should’ve made me rethink what I was saying.

But honestly? Part of me craved this. I loved pushing his buttons and getting him worked up.

His expression softened unexpectedly. “You’re right, baby. Let’s go upstairs and you can change.”

I deflated a little at his sudden change. Even though I was getting what I wanted, I’d been enjoying our game.

Now it looked like sweet Ryan had returned.

He kissed the side of my head. “I’ll be back,” he told the people still lingering around before threading his fingers with mine and leading me into the house and up the stairs to his bedroom.

I hesitated a minute when we passed Dean’s old room. It still creeped me out to be anywhere near a single thing associated with that douche canoe, but Ryan kept going until he’d unlocked his door and ushered me inside.

“Did you want to take a shower?” he offered with a wry smile. He turned away and went over to the nightstand on the side of the bed where he slept and pulled open the drawer.

“No. I just need to change,” I replied, frowning a little. I spotted my overnight bag on the chair by his desk and gave myself a mental reminder to thank Ash for bringing it for me when he’d dropped off Bex.

Speaking of, I needed to check in with her at some point. I pulled my phone out and set it on the desk as a visual reminder to check on her once I’d changed.

I unzipped the bag and pulled out new underwear and a pair of skintight pants that cost as much as the down payment on a new Honda.

“Maddie.”

“Shit!” My heart leapt into my throat as I whirled around, stunned to see Ryan right there. I hadn’t even heard him cross the room. “You scared me.”

An odd smile played on his lips. “Do you remember when we first met?”

“What?” My nose scrunched up. “When you thought I was Lainey? Yeah. I can’t really forget that. I thought you were a psycho.” He’d pinned me to Madelaine’s bed and threatened me. It had scared the crap out of me.

He chuckled. “I mean, you weren’t wrong.” His hands landed on my hips, and he whirled me around before shoving me backward. My legs hit the edge of the bed, and I toppled over.

Ryan chased me onto the mattress, straddling my hips as he pinned me with his weight. Before I could fully comprehend what was going on, something hard, but soft, snapped around one wrist and then the other.

I glanced up, stunned to see I was secured to the freaking headboard with leather bands. The asshole had pinned my arms above my head, leaving enough slack for me to wiggle around so my joints weren’t stretched to the point of pain, but I was still handcuffed to the bed.

“What the hell?” I practically screeched, tugging at the restraints.

Ryan smiled and lifted off of me. “Still think I’m not in control?”

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