Page 31 of Prove You Wrong

He leans in andI can feel his breath on my ear as he whispers, ‘Quiver.’

Every single tiny hair on my neck stands to attention. Heat and want and need flushes through me. The pencil nib snaps.

Brushing over the paper, I take a chance to compose myself before dutifully writing down “quiver”.

It’s only a word, not a command, but he spoke it like it was an order. And I certainly want to oblige.

Nate continues to lean in close for the rest of the round, supplying us with answers by whispering into my ear so the other teams can’t hear, and occasionally brushing against my skin, each time leaving a trail of fizzing tingles.

He and Josie swap casual banter, which is a relief, as the quiz and the harder game ofDon’t Jump Nate, are all I can handle.

At break time, Josie volunteers to take our answer sheet to the quiz master to be adjudicated. I’m convinced it’s an excuse for her to wander around and hunt out her mystery man.

‘Now, where were we?’ Nate distracts my train of thought. He’s still leaning in close.

I sit straighter, shifting away a little. ‘Do you mean earlier this evening or … ’

He gives me a smirk. ‘Don’t tempt me.’

‘You have one thing on your mind, don’t you?’

‘I’ve got a few things on my mind.’ I can feel his gaze trailing over me. ‘So, I’m bad and you’re … good?’ He drags the word out seductively.

‘I’m trying to be.’ I cross my arms. ‘And I won’t be able to be good with you around.’

‘I think you’ve got me all wrong.’ He raises his eyebrows, a smile twisting on his lips.

‘And why’s that?’

‘I have many redeeming attributes.’ His eyes sparkle. ‘You’re just toojudgeyto realise.’

‘Judgey?’ My eyebrows shoot up. ‘You say that like it’s a bad thing. I have to be. To keep my sister safe. Ihaveto make snap judgements.’

He shrugs. ‘I get it. But, you’re only as good as the information you have at hand.’ He braces his arms against the bar, scrutinising me. ‘And I’m sorry to say, you’ve got it wrong.’ He lightens his voice, taunting.

‘Do I, now? Sounds like fighting talk.’ I take a sip from my drink, levelling my gaze on him over the rim. Raising my chest to match his defiance.

‘Perhaps it is. Let me prove it to you.’

‘Prove what exactly?’

‘That I’m a good guy. Prove you can trust me. Let me take you out on a proper date.’

‘Not going to happen,’ I mutter as Josie returns.

‘Time for round two,’ the voice of the quiz master sounds out.

Nate meets my gaze and his eyes crinkle. ‘Ding, ding,’ he whispers in my ear.

He seems to have taken the suggestion of round two as an invitation to switch up his tactics. Instead of whispering just the answers in my ear, he’s taken to reminding me about the other night. As I’m trying to write down that Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria, he’s murmuring about how the sound of his name on my lips keeps running through his head. How loud I was when he was pleasuring me on the bar.

‘I hear what you’re saying, but you’re wrong,’ I say aloud.

Josie’s eyes widen at my tone. Only Nate knows I’m disagreeing with more than quiz answers.

‘Don’t you keep thinking about it?’ His breath tickles my ear.

Yes.

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