Page 98 of Withered

I don’t know what comes over me, but I place my hand above his. He visibly relaxes and sighs. “It’s okay, Jake. It’s nothing.”

He opens his palm and threads his fingers with mine as he speaks roughly, “It’s my fault.”

“No. It’s not,” I say it in an irritated tone, which makes him shut up.

I don’t want to have this conversation, at least not here. Olivia has a way of ruining our moment.

The rest of the lesson flies by. I don’t pay attention to a single word Mrs. Rivera says. I see her lips moving, but I can’t hear anything.

Maybe I'm more focused on the fact that my hand is intertwined with Jake’s. Tingles of heat sweep across my body from that palm, making me sweat. Jake doesn't let go of my hand even after the class is over. He forces me out of my chair before escorting me to the last class of the day.

As the school day ends, I wait for Jake in the parking lot with Kristy, who is talking to the other girls. Tyler and Jake walk out of the door and head towards us.

I don’t miss the blatant stares girls give them or the envious glare boys give them. When they get close to us, the other girls leave us, and Tyler goes straight to Kristy.

They leave, and Jake opens the door for me. I raise my eyebrow but remain silent.

I taunt him as he climbs into the passenger seat, “I thought chivalry wasn’t your thing, Henderson.”

He smirks, but his gaze moves to my wrist. “You okay?”

“Jake. I told you, it’s fine.” And it is fine.

Now that Jake knows, Olivia won’t dare pull a stunt like this. I’ve known her long enough to know that she is known for her words; I’ve never seen her bully anyone. A little prank here and there, but no bullying.

He stops in my driveway and turns off the engine.

“Thanks. I’ll see you later.” I'm about to open the door, but he locks them all, trapping me inside. He has this dazed-off look in his eyes that I’m growing familiar with.

When I turn my body towards him, he is already inching closer. Sparks flow through my body as his lips meet mine in a very gentle kiss. He puts his hand behind my neck, pulling me closer, and the other hand tugs on my arm, the kiss growing intense.

I drop my bag and cross the center console, sitting on his lap and kissing him senselessly. He adjusts the seat so I have more room to sit. My back hits the door, and my arms are around his neck while his hands are dangerously moving down toward my skirt.

Sweat beads start forming on my forehead, turning me into a hot mess. A moan escapes my lips when his hands brush my inner thigh, his fingers close to the lace fabric there.

He leaves my lips, and I whimper at the loss of his touch. My whimpers are cut short when he kisses along my jaw, smiling and then swirling his tongue near my collarbone. His teeth dig into my skin.

“Jake, no,” I say breathlessly.

Almost instantly, Jake stops and lifts his head to look at me. “Fuck. Did I hurt you?”

His eyes are blown out, his hair is a wild mess from my fingers running through it, his cheeks are flushed a pale pink, and he’s out of breath like me.

“No. It’s just that you have to stop giving me a hickey.” I bury my face in his chest, not daring to look him in the eyes.

He chuckles, his chest rumbling. “Why is that so?”

“Because I have to do a load to cover it up,” I say with my eyes closed, inhaling his scent.

“Then don’t hide it. Let everyone see who you belong to,” he says it seriously.

He sounds more caring than authoritative, which raises the one question that I doubt.What are we?

“Does that mean I can mark you too?” I ask, lifting my face to meet his eyes.

“Fuck. Please do,” he answers after staring at me for a few seconds. He might be thinking I’m joking, but I’m not.

My back hits the steering wheel as I turn. I don’t miss the way his hand remains close to my inner thigh, almost brushing my clit over the thin fabric.

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