Coldhearted Heir (The Heirs 1)

I watch as he takes hold of her hand and leads her over to the floor. Their eyes lock as violin strings fill the air, and I feel the intensity all the way from where I’m sitting.

“You know, this is where Uncle Falcon and Aunty Layla’s relationship started,” Jase comments as he comes to stand behind Mila while Secrets by One Republic plays. “Maybe it’s a good thing for Fallon and Kao.”

“That would be awesome,” I say, glancing up at Jase.

He holds his hand out to Mila and says, “How about we stop pretending we hate each other for a couple of minutes, and you dance with me?”

Mila glares at Jase, but still, she places her hand in his, grumbling, “You have one song.”

“I’ll take what I can get,” Jase smiles as he leads her away from the table.

“Damn, is it just me, or is there love in the air?” Noah asks as he gets up to come to sit next to me.

“I’m hoping love is in the air,” I reply, grinning because I’m happy to see my friends dancing, and I think the song fits them perfectly.

Hana slumps down in a chair and reaches for a bottle of water. “My shoes are killing me.”

I wiggle my toes in the snug confinement of the heels I’m wearing. “I feel your pain.” I grin at Hana. “Aren’t you going to pick someone to dance with?”

Hana shakes her head, and her eyes turn to Fallon. “No, Fallon and Jase dancing is enough. Besides, there’s no one here I want to dance with.”

“Ouch.” Noah slaps his hand over his heart, feigning hurt.

Hana lets out a chuckle. “My feet are in pain. I’d dance with you in a heartbeat, but I’d rather just sit here until this night is over.”

“Just pulling your leg,” Noah says with a grin.

I glance around at the colorful decorations and beautiful flowers. “The hall looks so pretty. You guys did a wonderful job.”

“Thanks, but it’s the first and last time I’m helping the decorating committee.”

My eyes search for Hunter, and I find him at a table with Nate Sparks and his friends, which is surprising. Hunter laughs at something Nate says. I got the feeling Hunter didn’t care for them much, but I must’ve been wrong.

Not surprising, Jade. You’ve been wrong about a ton of things.

On the spur of the moment, I get up and walk toward Hunter, hoping that if I asked him to dance, he wouldn’t reject me in front of all the students. I know it’s an underhanded way of trying to talk to him, but I’m scared if I let too much time pass, he won’t give me a chance to apologize at all.

Nate sees me first, and his smile broadens. “Damn, you look good, Jade.”

“Thanks.” My eyes rest on Hunter’s face, and it takes a couple of seconds before his gaze flicks up to meet mine. “Hunter, I was hoping you’d dance with me?”

His blue eyes turn to solid ice, and my hope quickly fizzles away. His features set into hard lines as he rises from the chair and buttoning his jacket, he leans a little closer to me, whispering, “Not in a million years.”

The sharp edge to his tone sends goosebumps rushing over my skin, almost as if a chill just swept through the room.

He starts to walk away from me, but I dart after him, grabbing hold of his arm. Hunter stops, and his eyes are filled with disdain as they drop to where I’m touching him.

I quickly pull my hand back and say, “Please, can we talk?”

“You really want to do this here?” he snaps as he turns to face me. Before I learned the truth, my anger made me brave and reckless, but now I struggle not to cower back from the fury radiating from his body.

Before I can plead for his forgiveness, Hunter steps closer to me in one hell of an aggressive move, but I keep my ground.

“I’ve given you two years, Jade. I refuse to waste another second of my time on you.” His words are harsh, but I know I deserve every one of them.

“I know, and I’m so sorry, Hunter. Can we go outside so you can tell me how you feel? I want to fix things between us.”

He lets out a burst of air, the corner of his mouth pulling into a vicious grin I haven’t seen before. “You want to know how I feel?”

I nod quickly, praying he’ll open up to me.

Hunter pulls back, and his eyes lock on mine. They look cold and expressionless as he says, “At first I was angry and fucking upset, but then I realized it meant I cared. Now?” He shrugs carelessly. “Now, I feel nothing. You insulted me and went as far as repeatedly accusing me of murder. I guess I could retaliate, but I won’t because I’m not that kind of person. We’re done. There’s nothing left of our friendship to salvage. You made sure to destroy what we had.”