Distorted Love (Dark Intentions Duet 1)

“I speak, but only when speaking’s required. You never asked me any questions that warrant a response.”

Livia coughs next to me and nudges into my side. She wants me to not talk to him that way. I know it because I know her.

Ryken, though, smirks at my words then nods his head. “Fair enough, Barbie.”

I raise a skeptical eyebrow at his choice of words. He doesn’t bother saying anything in return before his name is called by someone from behind us.

His eyes leave me then return back to Livia. “I’ll see you in English?” They’re in the same grade, probably share most classes together as well.

“Yep.” She waves the weakest of waves to him, a real girly wave with the top of her fingers as he sidesteps around us. My hands go to my hair to try and calm it with my fingers—my long blonde hair which I’m sure is a major frizzy mess by now.

His voice comes from behind me, making me blush. “Leave it. It adds to your charm.”

Turning around, he offers me a wink before he fully spins around and continues to walk.

Livia laughs next to me. “You like him?”

I shake my head, swinging my bag around to get my math book out.

“Are you sure?” Her voice drops like she’s expecting me to whisper the answer to her.

“Livia, you know my stance on people with penises.” That makes her smile just a tad before it falls again. She turns her head away.

Ryken’s standing at the end of the hall looking our way.

“That will change one day, Sass. When you meet that one.”

It doesn’t sound as if she’s talking to me. Is she meaning Nate? She couldn’t be, she loves Nate, right?

“Livia,” I say, and she shakes her head with a smile.

“I’m good. You planning on coming to the first party this year? You should, you know. You never come, and now you only have this year and next before you graduate and run away from here. Come to the party, Sass. For me?”

The bell rings letting us know we have to go. The halls clear leaving the two of us standing there. My clothes are still wet, my hair a complete and utter frizz ball, although that doesn’t seem to bother me any longer.

We attend a private school so our uniforms are all the same. Mine’s usually hand me downs from Livia and her family. She looks like she belongs here. Her hair is perfect most of the time, her clothes and shoes immaculate.

However, I’m attempting and failing to fit in. That’s why I never bother with any of the parties.

Until now.

Now, I want to go so I can see more of him. He’s always at a party. Livia tells me so. Not that she ever seems to be too interested in Ryken. She always has a boyfriend. Right now she’s dating Nate, and they’ve been together for only just over two months. It’s one of her longest relationships.

It won’t last much longer, though. She’s lost that sparkle in her eyes when she speaks of him. My only hope is she doesn’t go where I think she wants to go. To him.

Shrugging my shoulders, I answer, “Maybe.”

Her eyes zone in on me. “Are you sure you aren’t interested in Ryken?”

I should tell her I am, but I don’t want to. That will get her hopes up, and that’s not something I want to do. So I lie to one of the only girls I actually like.

“No.” The word tastes bitter leaving my mouth. The lie all wrong. I should have told the truth, especially seeing as it’s Livia.

Her shoulders shrug. “Good. Good.” Her eyes leave mine then she looks back over her shoulder.

“Go to class, Livia. You’re going to be late on the first day back.” Pretty green eyes come back to me. “Love you,” she says as she walks away.

Idly, I stand by as I watch her turn the corner into the same classroom as Ryken.

I wish I knew what could possibly come from one simple lie.

I wish I knew my heart could shatter from not telling the truth.

I wish a lot of things.

But as I stand there watching, staring at a now empty wall, I wish Ryken would step back out and look at me one more time with those hauntingly beautiful eyes.

Chapter 3

Ryken

Class is a waste of my time, but it’s demanded of me. It’s officially my last year, then I can take what’s mine. If he gives it to me, that is. My father owns most of the nightclubs in Darwin, and they’re soon to be all mine. He’s promised me head position in his business if I complete my last year of schooling. Eleven months and counting, and I’ll be running my own line of businesses. It’s always fascinated me, his work. The hours seem too perfect, the pay even better. We have the fancy house, the fancy cars, and above all, we have money. More than you can spend in a lifetime.