“Hey, Fallon. You’re looking good,” Justin addresses her.
“Justin.” Her tone is tolerant at best, which means my friend doesn’t like the guy at all.
“Mind if we join you?” he asks, his eyes roving over us before they stop on Mila.
My right eyebrow darts up in warning because I won’t let anyone mess with my cousin, and it has me answering, “We don’t need the company.”
Nate saunters closer to me, a smirk pulling at his mouth. “Don’t be a bitch about it. We’re all here to have fun.”
“This is her being nice, Sparks,” Hunter suddenly talks behind me. “You better go before she gets violent.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I scowl at Hunter, but before I can let him have a piece of my mind, my cousin Ryker and his best friend Tristan head toward us.
I haven’t seen Tristan in a while, and go to hug him. “Hey, stranger. How are you?”
Smiling, he hugs me back. “Good. How’s the academy?”
With a disgruntled look, I reply, “Probably still the same as when you attended.”
Tristan is five years older than me and has already been working for two years. Lucky him.
“It’s not all bad.” Tristan moves to greet Mila and Fallon, and when he gets to Hana, his smile warms, and he hugs her a little bit longer.
Come on, Jade. You’re just seeing things. Not all your friends have the hots for each other.
When Tristan keeps his arm around Hana’s waist, both my eyebrows pop up. He only has to stare at Justin and Nate, and they retreat into the crowd.
Yeah, no one would dare screw with Carter Hayes’ youngest son. It’s the same as trying to take on Hunter or Jase. And it’s definitely not my imagination. Something is going on between Tristan and Hana.
Leaning closer to Ryker, I ask, “Does Tristan like Hana?”
My cousin nods. “Hana keeps playing it down, but I think she’s starting to warm up to the idea.”
Wide-eyed, I stare at Ryker. “When did this happen?”
“At the Christmas gathering. You were at the ranch.”
“Oh.” My gaze turns back to Hana and Tristan, and I comment, “They’re complete opposites. Tristan is just like his father, all sharp edges where Hana is soft and quiet like her mom. Do you think they could work as a couple?”
“Anything is possible,” Ryker replies, then he frowns at me. “Why are we standing on the dance floor. Let’s go upstairs.”
I leave my friends to dance with Tristan and Hunter and follow Ryker to our table where Kao and Noah are enjoying their drinks. Jase has probably already found his next lay.
Once we’re seated, I glance around the room, then ask, “Aren’t there any girls here you like?”
Ryker doesn’t even look around and just shakes his head. Grinning at me, he says, “I’d rather spend time with you.”
A waiter interrupts us to take Ryker’s order.
I glance down to the dance floor and see that only Tristan and Hana are left dancing.
Soon the conversation around the table is flowing smoothly, and I’m lulled into a relaxed state.
Who would’ve thought Hunter and I could be civil for so long. Not that we’re talking to each other, but hey, I guess miracles do happen.
Chapter 8
HUNTER
After spending the last hour being Jase’s wingman, I’m ready to call it a night.
Jase is talking to a brunette, and I’m stuck with her friend. I’m pretty sure her hair is gray, and I keep wondering why someone would willingly do that to their hair. My mom’s been dyeing the ever-loving shit out of her own in her fight against gray strands.
“So, you attend Trinity Academy?” the girl asks for the tenth time.
I just nod in response. At this rate, I might die of boredom.
“That must be so cool.”
I’m busy zoning out and totally caught off guard when another girl snuggles up to my side, linking her arm with mine in a possessive way. My eyes dart to her face, and then shock ripples over me.
What the hell?
Jade smiles lovingly up at me, and it has me doing another double-take.
“Did you drink?” It’s the only reason I can think of for her weird behavior.
“Just a little. I stole the last of Ryker’s whiskey when he wasn’t looking. Did you miss me, baby?” Jade takes hold of my arm and positions it around her.
Baby?
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
Jade doesn’t let my shocked silence hinder her and snuggles even closer to me, and it makes her cleavage look double the size where it’s pressed against my side.
When she stretches her body and presses a kiss to my jaw, I swear it feels like my mind is malfunctioning because all I can do is blink while staring at her.
Then Jade turns her head to the girl I was talking to and sneers, “I don’t appreciate it when girls drool over my man. Get lost.”
I begin to frown, still at a total loss when it comes to finding the right words for this fucking weird moment.
The girl leaves with an offended look on her face, and when she’s out of hearing distance, Jade gives me a grin that’s nothing short of evil. “Payback’s a bitch, Chargill. If I don’t get to be happy, then you don’t. How does it feel to be cock blocked?”
Jade pulls away, and all I can do is stare at her ass as it sways its way back to our group's table. I don’t know whether I should be impressed she can act so well, or to be pissed because she’s decided to play games with me.
Tapping Jase on the shoulder, I gesture toward our table. “Let’s go get a drink.”
Jase gets the girl’s phone number, and as we make our way back to the VIP section, my eyes are glued to Jade.
If I’m honest with myself, even though I was shocked out of my mind by what she did, I can’t deny the fact that she stirred something in me I haven’t felt before around another woman. It’s fucking confusing.
Jase and I take the only two open seats left, and it situates me across from Jade. We place our order for drinks, and while I wait, I keep staring at Jade. She’s either oblivious or making a show of not giving a fuck that my eyes are on her.
Jase suddenly jumps up, almost giving me a heart attack as he yells, “We have to try this game!”
If only my friend knew how tired I was of games.
“What game?” Tristan asks. I’m surprised he managed to take his attention off Hana long enough to ask. It’s clear the guy is head over heels for her. Then again, with Hana being half Korean, she has an exotic beauty you can’t help but notice.
“The arrow spins and whoever it lands on has to do the dare the app gives.”
“I’m bored out of my mind, so we might as well give it a try,” Noah approves.
Jase places the phone in the middle of the table and presses the spin button. We watch the arrow turn, and it lands on Mila.
Hug the person you like the least.
Mila grins as she gets up and walks around the table. Jase isn’t offended in the slightest when she stops next to him.
“I’ll take it any way I can get it,” Jase teases as he stands up and folds Mila in a tight embrace.
Seconds later, Mila’s arms wrap around him, and I notice how she grips fistfuls of his shirt. They stand for so long it’s well past the point of being just a hug.
When Mila finally pulls back, she ducks her head low, so her hair falls across her face, and hightails it back to her seat.
Ryker presses the button next, probably to draw our attention away from his sister, and a moment later, the arrow stops on Kao.
Admit how you feel to the person you like most.
“What happens if I don’t take the dare?”
“You have to down a drink,” I give him an out. We know Kao has feelings for Fallon, and I don’t think this is the place for them to have that talk.
Kao grabs Jase’s drink and downs it in one gulp, then gets up and makes the arrow spin again. It stops on Ryker.
&n
bsp; Give someone a compliment.
Ryker turns to Tristan. “It’s about time you pull your head out of your ass and go after the girl.”
“That doesn’t sound like a compliment,” Tristan chuckles.
“Oh, and I’m proud of you,” Ryker quickly adds. He gets to his feet. “I have to meet Danny, but it was nice seeing you all again.” Ryker reaches for Jase’s phone and presses spin on the screen before he walks away.
The arrow points to Jade.
Virgin Yes/No
Jade lets out a burst of air and rolls her eyes. “Well, that’s no secret. Everyone knows I’m still a virgin thanks to a certain someone who couldn’t keep his nose out of my business.”
My right eyebrow shoots up because I didn’t know she was still one. It’s been two years. Does that mean she hasn’t dated since Brady?
Jade presses the button, and the arrow falls on Noah.
Do you have a secret crush?
“We can drink, right?” he asks, already picking up his tumbler. He downs the last of the liquid then gets the arrow turning again.
It slows to a stop on me.
Kiss your enemy.
Oh shit.
My eyes dart to Jade, who’s staring at the dare with apprehension.
Figuring I’d just give her a quick peck on the lips to fuck with her, I get up and say, “A dare’s a dare.”
“No, you can drink,” Jade quickly objects.
Reaching her side, the corner of my mouth curves up. I take hold of her shoulders and pull her up from the chair.
“Payback’s a bitch,” I grumble, lowering my head to hers. I press my mouth to Jade’s just as she brings her hands up to my biceps.
I expect to be pushed away or punched at the very least, but instead, Jade goes still against me. Her lips begin to tremble, and when I move my own, something unexpected happens.
Awareness of the woman she’s become trickles through me. All our cruel words and intimidating touches sparked a flame that should’ve had us going down in a blaze of hatred, but instead, makes desire sizzle to life.
Jade must feel the same intensity between us because instead of fighting me off, she presses herself closer to me, and her lips part beneath mine.
I block out all my thoughts about what’s happening between us, what it might mean, and what our friends will think. I kiss her until all rationality leaves me, and I become nothing more than a thundering heartbeat, conscious only of what I want to do with this woman. It feels like we’re crashing around in a stormy sea.
God, her scent, and the feel of her body pressing against mine – heaven.
It makes tiny fireworks explode behind my eyelids, and ripples of pleasure rush over every part of me.
Blindly, my tongue finds its way into the warmth of her mouth, and our walls come crashing down around us. We stand in the ruins of the past two years, oblivious to how this kiss will change our future.
JADE
This can’t possibly be a kiss. It feels like I’ve been drugged, my mind cloudy, and my feet swept from under me by the force of the desire taking over every part of me.
I’ve never felt anything like this before. It’s addictive and so intense, it wipes out all my common sense.
Where I should be pushing Hunter away, my hands deceive me and find their way to his face, framing his jaw while my tongue mimics the sensual movements of his own.
Hunter’s arms wrap around me, and one of his hands grips hold of the back of my neck. The intensity spikes and the sparks I feel zapping between us turn into something akin to an inferno.
I’m surrounded by his masculine scent, and I’m all too aware of his muscular body pressing against mine.
I’ve only ever kissed Brady, and where he was like a cool breeze on a summer’s day, Hunter is the sun itself, scorching through me and threatening to leave ashes of me in his wake.
Brady.
The thought is sudden and harsh, clearing my mind in an instant. I yank back as shame rattles through my soul like a skeleton in the closet demanding to be acknowledged.
I failed Brady.
I’ve tainted every kiss he’s ever given me. I’ve betrayed the love we shared and the precious memory of him, I’ve fought so hard to protect.
With my breaths racing over my lips, swollen from Hunter’s kiss, my wide eyes sweep over our friends. They’re staring at us with similar shocked expressions on their faces.
“Jade.” Hunter’s voice is raspy, and it makes my eyes dart to his face.
Seeing his confused expression only makes my own turmoil burst to life, and not knowing what else to do, I turn away from him and run toward the exit.
Rushing out the doors, the night air is cool on my heated skin, and it causes me to shiver.
What just happened?
Why didn’t I push Hunter away?
Why did I kiss him back?
The betrayal I feel sharpens in my chest, and it makes my eyes blur with unshed tears.
How can I feel anything but hatred for Hunter after the part he played in Brady’s death?
“Jade!” Hearing how close Hunter is behind me, I don’t have time to steel myself for a face-off with him. He takes hold of my shoulder and comes to stand in front of me. There’s no longer any confusion darkening his features, but only concern. “Are you okay?”
I manage to shake my head.
No.
No, I’m far from okay.
Hunter tries to pull me into a hug, but this time I push him away.
That’s what you should’ve done when he kissed you!
It feels like I’m being torn between my guilty conscience and my confusion. The emotions Hunter made me experience were... were… I don’t even have words.
“Let’s talk about this,” Hunter’s voice gets through to me.
He can’t know. You have to hide your feelings, Jade!
I force my eyes to meet his and praying to all that’s holy that I’ll be convincing, I say, “It was just a game. A stupid kiss. It meant nothing, Chargill. I’ve had better.”
Not knowing how I’ll get home, I walk toward the street. I don’t get far before Hunter darts in front of me again, and grabbing hold of my shoulders, his eyes burn into mine as he says, “You’ve always been bad at lying, Jade. That kiss meant as much to you as it did to me.”
It meant something to him?
The thought is fleeting, and being so close to him, the embers of desire stir back to life, but I’m too upset and manage to pull away from him.
“I’m done talking about it.”
When I start to walk again, Hunter calls after me. “Where the hell are you going? It’s almost midnight.”
“I’ll walk to the campus,” I yell back.
“God, give me strength.” The growl is the only warning I have, and then Hunter grabs hold of me and lifting me off my feet, he throws me over his shoulder.
“Hunter Chargill!” My shriek echoes into the night air, but it doesn’t stop him from carrying me back to where the cars are parked. “I’m going to kill you!”
“You can kill me after I’ve taken you back to the dorm,” he snaps, sounding as frustrated and angry as I feel.
The movement from being placed back on my feet makes a dizzying wave rush through me, and when my legs buckle, Hunter quickly takes hold of my arm. “What’s wrong?”
I wait for my eyesight to come back then glare at him. “You manhandling me made the blood rush from my head.”
Hunter opens the passenger door and shoves me into the seat. When he climbs in behind the steering wheel, I’m still glaring at him while wondering why I haven’t punched him unconscious yet.
He must read my thoughts from my expression because he says, “Like I said, you can kill me after I get you home.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I stare out of the window, refusing to talk to him any further.
The drive back to the campus is excruciating. My mind keeps racing between the emotions Hunter woke in me with just one kiss,
and the guilt it makes me feel.
Thankfully Hunter doesn’t say anything until we stop in front of the dorm. He switches off the car and turns to look at me. “Can we talk now?”
“Hell no,” I snap as I shove the door open. I get out of the vehicle as fast as I possibly can. Slamming the piece of steel shut behind me, I rush into the building.
I’m relieved when Hunter doesn’t follow me inside. The last thing I have strength for is to be stuck with him in the suite all alone.
Reaching my room, I go straight for the shower. When the water is finally pelting down on me, my thoughts start to slow.
I can’t believe I kissed Hunter like that. What got into me?
I feel numb as I dry off and slipping into a pair of sweatpants and a comfy t-shirt, I climb into bed. I yank the covers over my head and squeeze my eyes shut, but it only makes images of Hunter flash before my eyelids. How hot he looked tonight. How gorgeous his face was as he leaned down. How sexy his grin was right before he pressed his mouth to mine.
I let out a growl as I throw the covers back and stare up at the dark ceiling.
Conflicted feelings press down on my chest until it’s hard to breathe.
“What have I done?”
Chapter 9
HUNTER
When I get back to the club, the others are already outside. Tristan took Hana home, so only Jase and Fallon climb in with me while Mila rides with Kao and Noah.
“Are you okay?” Fallon asks from the back seat.
“Yeah,” I lie through my teeth. I’m so not okay. Between my mind and my heart, I don’t know which one is a bigger mess right now. I don’t know how to start processing everything that happened tonight.
“Well, that was one hell of a surprise,” Jase mumbles under his breath.
I let out a sigh while keeping my eyes on the road ahead. “You can say that again.”
“Is Jade okay?” Fallon asks.
“I don’t think so.” I focus my attention on driving as we near a crossing, then add, “She’s pissed and will probably kill me as soon as we get home.”
Coldhearted Heir (The Heirs Book 1) Page 7
