Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
I shook my head, stepping back and away from him. “Are you high?”
His smile resembled a Cheshire cat.
“On you?” he mocked, grinning. “Maybe.”
“I don’t get you,” I spewed, suddenly pissed. “You barely interact with me unless it’s for tutoring, and now you’re acting like this? What’s your deal?”
“What’s yours?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, do you love Julius?”
“Yes,” I said in one breath.
If he was hurt, he didn’t show it. Once again proving absolutely nothing to me.
“Is this a game?” I asked, needing to know. “Have I turned into a game for you?”
“You tell me,” he snapped, cocking his head to the side. “You’re the one who’s obviously keeping score.”
“That’s not an answer.” I countered before speaking with conviction, “I do love Julius.”
He agreed. “So do I.”
“Then act like it.”
He shrugged, pointing out, “If you really loved Julius, you wouldn’t have screamed my name first.”
The garage door swiftly opened, and I didn’t have to wonder who it was.
Immediately trying to lighten the mood, I announced, “Look who might make the honor roll next semester.”
I held up Kraven’s report card to show it to Julius. Thankfully, he looked distracted and wasn’t paying too much attention to what he just walked in on. Once he noticed the grades, he smiled at Kraven.
“Don’t push your luck,” Kraven declared as Julius walked toward me to grab it out of my hand.
Julius teased, “You sure you didn’t forge this? Bribe some teachers?”
“It’d be straight A’s if that were true.”
“But then it’d be too obvious.”
I redirected the conversation. “Maybe you should try a congratulations, Julius.”
He turned his focus back to Kraven and squeezed his shoulder. “Congratulations.”
I could tell Kraven was a little hurt that he was instantly doubted.
Not that I could blame Julius.
Julius must have noticed because he quickly followed it up with, “Let’s celebrate!”
It was supposed to be a celebration, but in reality…
* * *
The match was being lit.
Chapter
Thirty
Isla
We ended up at a club where Julius knew everyone and didn’t have any problem getting us in despite Kraven and me being underage. Not only was it not an issue, but he also got us a VIP table right in front of the DJ booth. I had no idea how Julius was able to pull this one off, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to find out where he established these connections.
I felt uneasy being surrounded by such a large crowd. It was so loud I couldn’t hear my own thoughts. Everyone was dressed up, including Kraven and Julius. They were both wearing collared shirts and slacks. Julius had on a vest, and Kraven wore a fedora. They looked handsome.
Unsure how to dress, I wore a tight black dress with black ankle pumps, went heavy on the eye makeup, and left my hair down. By the expression on their faces when I stepped into the kitchen, I’d done a good job.
That didn’t stop the anxiousness I felt the second we walked in, though. This was my first time at a club. I didn’t break the law, at least not on purpose. Grabbing the glass from the table in front of me, I poured some champagne.
For the next hour, I drank until I started to feel the nervousness subside and the endorphins and adrenaline kick in. Watching everyone loosen up around me as the hours flew by helped. I wanted to be like them.
I danced.
We laughed.
We drank.
“Come on, dance with me!” I shouted to Julius. He sat on the edge of the table, and I stood between his legs.
He grabbed my arm, tugging me to his face. “Not when you’re dancing for me.”
I smiled, beaming.
With a sway of my hips, I slowly rocked my body in a circle, and he took a swig of his beer.
His eyes drank me in.
Making my heart flutter.
There was so much I craved to say.
So much I desired him to hear.
“Do you mind? Or are you just going to stand there?” I taunted, rolling my hips to the beat.
He smiled widely. Leaning into my ear, he growled, “By all means, Isla. I don’t mind one bit.”
“You have no shame, Julius Knightly.”
He grabbed my hand. “It’s going to take a lot more booze to get me to dance. Now you…” He twirled me around in a circle, showing me one of the only dance moves he knew. “Can dance for me all night long.” His arms wrapped around my waist.
I deliberately worked my hips against him. “Then all you have to do is stand there and look like the badass you are.”
He chuckled. “Tell that to my dick. It likes you a lot right now.”
My mouth dropped open with a surprised smile creeping on my face. “Look at you. Is that booze talking or are you just happy to see me?” I mocked, knowing damn well it wasn’t the booze. “I didn’t know I needed his permission. I thought he always liked me.”