Caught in Us (Lost 3)

"You pretentious douche. You annoy me; that's all."

"Annoyance looks good on you," he offers, then takes a step back, freeing me. "Are we done here?"

"Yes, but first I'd like to tell you that you're a jerk."

"You just did that. I take douche to be a synonym for jerk. Excellent vocabulary, by the way."

"Why did you have to be so rude today?"

"You're the one who hit me. People have the habit of blaming everything that goes wrong on me, but I wasn't the one crashing into you. Can't blame me this time."

"I didn't mean me. You were rude to every teacher."

"Who are you?" Disbelief colors his features as he gives me the once-over. "Wonder dork, defender of the teachers?"

"You suck." I chew the inside of my cheek to hide my mortification. No guy has called me a dork to my face. Then again, boys treat me as if I'm non-existent when they don't need my notes or homework. Still, being insulted isn't an improvement over being invisible.

"Thank you. Now, we're both late, so—”

I step in front of him, blocking his way again. "I’m serious." Before I realize what he's up to, his arms are around my waist again, hoisting me up in the air. Every inch where our bodies connect instantly heats up as if his skin ignites me.

"Don't touch me," I stammer, pushing him away after he puts me down again.

He fixes his piercing green eyes on me, his head slightly tilted to one side. "What's your name?"

"Dani."

"Well, Dani, here is some friendly advice: don't throw yourself in a man's way if you don't want to be touched."

***

I arrive to class panting and with my cheeks flushed. Hazel stares at me questioningly as I sit next to her, but I shake my head. Damon is here, too. Damn it, how many classes do we have together?

My thoughts keep flipping to what happened earlier in the corridor. I’m mortified and baffled at my reaction to him. No guy has ever affected me like this. I risk a glance at Damon after he tells Mr. Brown off for asking him to introduce himself. His gaze is focused on me. I feel the heat on my cheeks deepen, which pleases him endlessly.

"Why are you and Damon engaging in a battle of stares?" Hazel whispers, not taking her eyes off her notes.

"I cornered him in the corridor to tell him what a jerk he is."

"No offense, but you look like the cornered one."

I don't take any offense, because she's right. Damon leans back in his chair, looking more relaxed than he had all day while I’m a heavy-breathing mess.

Chapter Two: Dani

I blush all the way home. Our house lies in a residential area a few hours from San Francisco and looks like a modern palace. My mother's main job is attending charity functions and redecorating the house. It used to be a cozy nineteenth-century villa, but slowly, Mom turned it into a soulless glass and wood shell. She kept adding wings, even though it was just the three of us living in it. My brother, James, was sent to boarding school at a very early age.

It's so easy to feel alone inside.

Thoughts of what happened at school vanish when I see James's car parked outside the house. He arrived early today. Smiling, I burst through the front door.

"James," I call, yanking off my shoes and my bag. "James."

"We're in the dining room," Mom's voice booms. James walks out of the dining room and toward me, flashing a grin. Tall, with broad s

houlders, short dark hair, and vibrant blue eyes, my brother is quite the looker. When he was in college and going through his rebel period, he looked like a total hunk. Now, he dons expensive clothing and a groomed appearance worthy of the successful business man he is. He looks very attractive. James totally inherited the best of Mom and Dad. Unlike me. With my brown eyes and hair and petite frame, I am utterly average. However, the fact that I still look like a midget next to James has its perks. I can still hop in his arms, and he can carry me around effortlessly. I immediately jump him.

We're like a bull in a china shop, trotting down the long corridor. A dozen expensive paintings line the walls, giving it the appearance of a museum. When James visits us, it feels like home.