Coldhearted Heir (The Heirs 1)

“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 9HUNTERWhen 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.”

There’s a moment's silence, then Jase voices the obvious, “But she kissed you back. I mean, we all saw it. You were both pretty hot and heavy back there.”

“Jase,” Fallon chastises him.

“But he’s right,” I reply. Frustration bubbles to the surface because I can’t make sense of what happened. “I was only going to give Jade a peck, but … fuck … I have no idea what happened.”

“We’ll deal with it. I’m sure it will blow over,” Fallon tries to offer some hope.

“Nothing just blows over where Jade is concerned,” I mutter as I steer the car through the gates of Trinity. “And it won’t help to worry about it either. I’ll have to keep taking the blows as they come.”

Fallon is only quiet until the vehicle is parked, and we’re climbing out. “You shouldn’t have to take any blows. This has to stop. And that kiss didn’t come from nowhere. It’s obvious you both have feelings for each other.”

“Who knows,” I mutter as we walk toward the entrance of our dorm. “Lately, everything’s just fucking confusing.” I can’t bring myself to enter the building, and grumble, “I’m going to take a walk.”

“You want some company?” Jase asks.

I nod at him. “Thanks.”

“I’ll go check on Jade.” Fallon gives me a tight hug, then whispers, “I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m here for you and will do everything I can to help you resolve things with Jade.”

“Thanks, Fallon.” I press a kiss to the top of her head and watch her go inside.