Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

Just as I reach Daniel’s room, she’s stepping out with her phone against her ear.

“Marcy,” I say, worried as confusion crosses her face and she pulls her phone down, looking at it and then me.

“I was just calling you. I’ve got great news! Daniel is getting the surgery!”

She throws her arms around me, and I have to lock my knees in place to keep from collapsing to the floor.

“What? How?” I ask as I hug her.

She pulls back, wiping happy tears out of her eyes.

“A silent donation was made, and it’s covering absolutely everything, including his physical therapy if the surgery works. I wanted to tell you sooner, but waited until everything was a definite go. I know you did it, but I don’t know how. Thank you, Bella. I can’t possibly thank you enough.”

She continues wiping tears, and I find myself warring between euphoria and dread.

“I need to go take care of something, but I’m so happy for you and Daniel,” I tell her honestly, holding back my own tears.

She squeals and does a little fist pump, then she composes herself before heading back into Daniel’s room.

I sprint back up the stairs and head into Ash’s room. Several people have left since my brief departure, Ethan included. Damn.

Chapter 20

ETHAN

I’m at home for a total of five seconds when someone is suddenly pounding on the door.

If it’s Lynn, so help me, I’m calling the fucking poli—

My inner rant dies when I jerk the door open to see Bella standing there instead of the lying panty-loser.

“Did you give Daniel the money for his surgery?” she asks in a tone that doesn’t let me know if she’s pissed or just annoyed.

It was supposed to be anonymous. Who the hell told her?

“Look, before you get pissed—”

My words end when she’s suddenly grabbing the back of my neck and pulling me down to her. Our lips crash together, stunning the fuck out of me, but then I’m lifting her off the ground.

I kick the door closed, and I shove her against it, kissing her harder as she moans into my mouth. Fuck, I love her mouth.

Her tongue slips in, hungry and wanting, and I kiss her until I realize why she’s kissing me. Immediately, I break the kiss, drop her back to the ground, and I pin her to the door when she tries to resume the seductive assault. And yes, assault is an accurate depiction, because it was angry, brutal, and sexy as fuck at the same time.

“Not doing this because of Daniel,” I tell her, breathing heavily as I strain to keep control. “I won’t let you thank me this way. That’s not why I did it.”

Her lips twitch like she’s amused right now.

“I know. That’s not why I’m here.”

She’s seriously going to make my head explode.

“Then why the hell are you here? Because you’ve been fighting me nonstop, and you just told me we should be friends at the hospital.”

“Then you went and proved that you’re not the guy I thought you were.”

“Because of Daniel,” I point out. “I’m not letting you fuck me out of gratitude.”

Her eyes come up to meet mine, and she leans over to kiss my hand that is holding hers to the door. When she drags her lips over my skin, staring at me the whole time, I start realizing why I’m a little obsessed.