Page 9 of Pretty Girls Never Lie (St. Mary’s)

I breathe through my nose and try again. “You can try to piss me off all you want, but youwillhelp me.”

Brantley flies off my desk and storms over to me. Out of surprise, I rush backward until I hit my door with a huff. His hand winds around my waist, and he pulls me into his chest to keep me from banging my head off the wood. “Who do you think you are, Isla? Coming to my school and demanding things ofme?Shouldn’t you be afraid of me?”

Afraid?

His hands are chains holding me captive.

“I can’t decide if you’re brave or stupid.”

I tremble and hope he doesn’t notice. “I prefer…determined.” My words are no better. They clamor out of my mouth in a jumbled mess. “And I’m not afraid of you.”

“You should be.”

“That’s twice you’ve said that, and I’ve yet to witness you do something that scares me.”

I know I’m doomed the moment I watch the excitement blossom in his eyes. His mouth twitches, and it distracts me. One second, I’m pressed against his thundering chest, and the next, I’m cheek to door with his hands on my hips, holding me steady.

A hot, needy breath escapes my mouth when he heats my neck with his words. “Do you know how easy it would be for me to pin you against this door and fuck you, Isla? To take advantage of you and do things to you that you’ve never even dreamed of? To scar you so badly you never once think of asking for my help again?”

My heart pounds violently, and a chill ices my bones. But surprisingly enough, it’s not out of fear. I’ve been held down by a man before, and this is not the same as a drunken foster daddy needing to cop a feel.

I turn my head so our mouths are almost touching. His brow furrows with his lips glistening from his tongue running along the crease. “You think this is the first time a man has held me down, Brantley?”

What is this? Stockholm syndrome?He’s right. Ishouldbe afraid of him. I shouldn’t react in this way and bait him like he’s harmless. I know, deep down, that just because he saved me years ago doesn’t mean he’d do it again. Brantley could do things to me that would send me running for the hills, but there’s a catch that’s making me hesitate.A feeling.A connection that I cannot even begin to explain.

Brantley’s hands tighten against my waist with my revelation. There’s a worry line in between his eyebrows, but he quickly hides the truth with another bite. “Oh, so you like to be afraid, then?”

My jaw clenches, but I stay quiet.

“You like the thought of me putting my hand around your neck and fucking you from behind, don’t you?”

I start to breathe heavily, and there’s a tug in between my legs.No, what?My bra suddenly feels too tight. The room narrows when Brantley’s hand skims up my belly, and settles around my neck. His touch is gentle, but the meaning is heavy. My pulse rams against his palm like it’s going to run right out ofthis room. I drop my eyes to his mouth, and his loud gulp fills the room when his fingers thrum against my skin.

“Your pulse is flying, Ice Princess. Are you afraid…or turned on?” Brantley’s head tilts. “Or are you turned on because you’re afraid?”

“Why don’t you find out?” I ask.

I am playing a dangerous game, and I know it.

Brantley’s hand disappears, and a wall of cold air hits my back. I spin and watch him put much-needed distance between us. “You’re not as stupid as I thought. You’re…devious.” His eyebrow rises. “I’m kind of proud.”

Oh, shut up.

I open the door and wave my hand forward for him to leave. He says nothing when he passes by, and I don’t breathe again until he’s far enough down the hall to disappear out of my sight.

SIX

Brantley

I am not helping Isla.

In fact, I’m staying clear the fuck away from her.

Never mind the fact that I’m watching her every move like a druggie that can’t wait for their next fix, or that the second she walks into a room, my eyes find her, and my blood runs hot. I hate that it’s difficultnotto look at her.

I’m drawn to her, and I hate it.

“Brantley?”

---