When We're Alone

Chapter thirty-two

AVA

Stonekeepshishand on my thigh the whole way back, and it feels like it burns through my skin. I’m quiet while we eat because I have a million conflicting things distracting me. The problem is, they all sound sincere when we’re alone, but actions speak louder than words. They can say all the pretty things, but since I’ve known them, they’ve all encouraged or sat back and watched as I was treated like shit. They may draw the line at attempted rape, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been horrible people. But when Stone touches me, kisses the slope of my neck or leans in to say something in my ear, I forget he’s ever done anything wrong in his life.

They talk around me, and Stone nudges me every so often to make sure I’m still eating. Reid and Mason head to the movie room for the evening, but I opt to call it a night in my own room instead. I take another shower, because I keep getting this feeling that I’m never going to get clean again. I give my skin a good scrub before washing my face, rubbing at my lips until they feel tender when I remember Dane and his disgusting mouth, and brushing my teeth before getting into some pyjamas and starting a movie. Stone comes in just as it’s finishing, like he’s timed it perfectly, strolling in in just sweats. It would really be easier to resist him and remember why I hate him if he wasn’t so perfectly gorgeous. His hair is damp from his own shower, and his sweatpants hang low on his hips. I switch the TV off for something to do, and he climbs in next to me. I expect him to pull me to him or something, but he lies so he’s facing me as I lie down too. He’s silent as he stares at me, and it puts me on edge.

“Did he kiss you?” Stone asks as his gaze zeroes in on my lips, and I realise I’m rubbing at them again, scratching slightly. I don’t answer, but I guess he already knows the answer, because his face turns furious. He reaches up and gently takes my fingers away, cupping my cheek with his hand instead. Then he leans forward and kisses me lightly, more tender than I’d ever think possible. He kisses me until every part of my lips have been blessed with the gentle press of his lips and tongue. It’s like he’s replacing the stolen kiss with this one, erasing the feel of Dane forcing his mouth onto mine.

I’m so confused. My brain can’t forgive him, but my body wants him. He pulls back way too soon, without taking it any further, and strokes my hair as if he’s soothing me. As my body relaxes, I fall asleep more comfortably than I have in a long time, and when I wake up in the morning, he’s gone. Why am I disappointed? We both know this is where the happy bubble bursts again. The weekend is finished and we’re back to Oakview, where he’ll watch on as Winnie and her cronies attempt to make my days hell. I don’t know why I let my guard down so much when it always goes back to this. I get ready and head for the kitchen, stopping in my tracks when I see Stone there. I normally manage to avoid everyone in the mornings.

“Morning, baby. You ready?” he asks.

“What?” I’m mid-spin, planning to leave without engaging with him.

“Are you ready to go?”

“You’re not riding with me.”

“No, you’re riding with me,” he says.

“Actually, I’m not.” There’s no way I’m going to be stranded at school when he decides yet again he doesn’t want to be seen with me.

“Get in the car, Ava, before I put you in myself.” Why does that not sound like a threat, but more like a taunt to test him? But there’s no way I’m going to be at his mercy. Fighting outright isn’t going to work, though. I need to find another way.

“Whatever,” I say, grabbing his car keys from the counter. Instead of getting in his car when I’m outside, I leave his keys on his roof and get into mine, driving to school. What’s the worst he can do? Get the whole school to bully me? Too late. My phone rings a minute into the drive and his name flashes on the screen. I guess Stone came out front expecting to find me sitting in his passenger seat like a good little girl. Too bad for him.

I’m at my locker when I feel him approaching. It might be the way my blood tingles throughout my body, or it might be the way the air seems to disappear from the courtyard while everyone’s attention goes his way. Either way, I’m very aware of him when he steps up next to me. I spin round and go to walk off, but he bands an arm around my waist, pulling me back to him.

“You’re so stubborn,” he growls in my ear, and I shiver. I try to pull away and I think he lets me, but he moves his arm from around my waist and wraps his hand around the nape of my neck, facing me away from the lockers and back towards the quad. Reid and Mason are sitting on their usual bench, and Cole is at his locker a little ways down the walkway, looking over with everyone else in the courtyard when Stone bangs his fist three times against the lockers behind us.

“An Oakview Elite announcement. Ava is now officially one of us,” Stone yells. “You make sure everyone knows that not only is she Oakview, she’s mine. No one lays a finger on her, no one says a bad word to or about her, no one fucking glares in her direction. That goes for everyone who doesn’t want to deal with me.” Then he puts his hand on the small of my back and directs me over to the bench, and I go compliantly because I am too stunned to decide what else to do.

“What the fuck was that?” I ask when we’re sitting down and my brain has caught up with me. Reid and Mason both try and fail to cover smirks as they look at Stone, who looks at me. “You can’t just declare me as yours,” I say. “And why would you, anyway? What is going on? Is this some kind of prank? Setting me up for the big one?” I’m rambling. I know I am, but my mind is now working a mile a minute, paranoid about what I’m missing.

“I can and I did.” Out of all of those questions, that’s the only answer he gives me. My eyes narrow, and I stand to stalk away just as the bell goes. Saved.

That starts the beginning of the strangest day at Oakview I’ve had yet. It probably wouldn’t feel strange if it was my first day there, but having had weeks of torment already, it feels like I’ve fallen into the twilight zone. People speak to me at every opportunity, and honestly, I don’t blame them for going along with Stone and the others before, but it doesn’t mean I want to be friends with them now. I feel like I’m in a fishbowl—everyone is watching me and waiting to see what I do next. And, as I find out later, waiting to report it straight back to Stone.

He’s waiting for me at my locker at lunch with a frown. Ignoring him, I swap my books over.

“Is Winnie still bothering you?” Winnie doesn’t bother me, I barely even register she’s a person, but she has been making loud comments in the hallway about how recently she’s been with Stone. Of course he knows that already.

“Your fuck buddy is the least of my worries,” I say, hoping for a nonchalant tone.

“Ava—”

“Stone, this shit is weirding me out. Can you go back to ignoring me or calling me a slut? At least I know what to expect then.”

“I can’t do that. You’re mine now.” I scoff. A month ago I would’ve been happy with that, and with the gorgeous guy I happened to move in with that I was insanely attracted to. But now too much has happened, and there’s not one part of me that trusts this isn’t some big ploy to get me to fall even harder.

“You do realise women aren’t property?”

“I know. I’m yours just as much as you’re mine.”

“What if I don’t want you?” He cocks a brow and takes a step closer to me. I try to step back, but the lockers press up against my back and he’s right there in front of me. Placing a hand on my hip and snaking one round the nape of my neck, he tips my head back so I’m looking up at him, our lips an inch apart.

“Then say it.” I don’t say anything, just like he knew I wouldn’t, because him being this close to me makes me stupid. I’m a fly in his web, just waiting for him to do what he wants with me, and I hate it. His eyes darken and his hands tighten against me. “Stop defying me, Ava. I can’t touch you here without wanting to fuck you against these lockers while everyone watches. At least that way they’ll know you’re mine.” My mouth opens on an inaudible gasp and his gaze flicks down to my parted lips. He pushes away from me with a growl, sweeping his hand through his hair. “Come on.” He grabs my bag from my hand, throwing it over his shoulder, and heads over to his usual table. I follow because he has my stuff hostage and I notice the amount of people milling around, not-so-subtly watching us. Maybe I should be embarrassed. When we get to the table, Reid and Mason are chuckling.

“Thought you were about to give us all a show then,” Mason says, and I glare at him.

“Hey, Aves,” Reid adds, but I don’t answer. I might sit here so Stone doesn’t physically carry me around, but I’m not about to play happy families, especially with an audience. At least the weekend was private, so when they inevitably drop the other shoe no one will know how badly I fell for them all. I won’t give the students here the satisfaction. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.” Do they seriously think I’m going to thank them for treating me like a human, that I’ll just fall in line? They exchange looks but I pretend not to notice. I see Cole on the other side of the courtyard and stand up quickly, take my chance to speak to someone genuine.

“Ava—” Stone starts, but I’m already on my way.

“I’m going to see Cole,” I call over my shoulder. “Hey!” I say when I’m next to him, and he turns with a smile.

“Hey, Aves, how’s it going?”

“Really fucking weird, actually,” I say, about to fill him in when the world spins as I’m thrown over someone’s shoulder.

“She’ll speak to you later,” Stone says, walking away with me hanging over him. I wriggle and struggle, but he’s got me in a death grip over the backs of my thighs and I’m not going anywhere, so I try to retain some dignity and stop. Thank god I didn’t give in to my initial reaction to scream, not wanting any extra attention drawn to us. This is a quieter side, so hopefully not many people saw. Wishful thinking maybe. I’m right way up a minute later as Stone pushes me up against the closed door in an empty room. “Stop fucking pushing me, Ava.” I don’t answer, glaring up at him. I feel like ignoring him pisses him off more and that’s exactly my goal right now. How dare he think he can claim me and then manhandle me whenever I’m not exactly where he wants me to be?

He’s pressed right up against me, looking down at me with a mix of anger and lust, and I flush. I’m not sure who closes the gap, but in a split second we’re kissing, our mouths forming to each other, firm and passionate and so at odds with how he kissed me in bed last night. His hands come up to cup my jaw and it feels reverent and possessive, not forceful. I press myself up against his chest, wanting to feel him against all of me. He lets a hand drop from my jaw, grabbing my hip and pulling me further into him so I can feel exactly how he’s affected. An anticipatory gasp leaves my throat and is swallowed by Stone, neither of us breaking our kiss for a second. There’s no denying in this moment from either of us how much we want each other. All of our walls and baggage disappear as we show each other exactly what we would want if this were a perfect world. But it’s not a perfect world, and a knock on the other side of the wood brings me back to reality. I yank myself back from Stone, breathing heavily, but he still has me held against him.

“Ava, are you okay?” Cole calls from outside, and I’m not surprised he’s checking up on me. I did just get stolen away by the leader of my bullies.

“I’m fine. I’ll be out in a second.”

“No—” I clap a hand over his mouth before Stone can say more, and his eyes promise me that I’ll regret that later, but I need to get out of here. I twist the door handle with my other hand and he steps back so I can pull it open, his eyes blazing.

“Hey.” I smile up at Cole and he hands me my bag that he’s collected from their table. “Wanna head to the café?” Stone steps out behind me, his hand on my hip.

“Sure. Stone,” Cole says in greeting.

“If anything happens to her while she’s with you, you’ll regret it.” I roll my eyes, but Cole is serious when he nods back at him. Ridiculous. “I’ll see you at home,” Stone says against my ear before he drops a kiss on my neck and walks away.

“What is going on?” Cole asks, and all I can do is shrug.

“I have no idea.”