Nothing But Wild (Malibu University 2)

Her eyes do a quick and furtive assessment of me. They move over my chest and up to my face. She can’t help herself any more than I can. “Are we gonna crime, or are we gonna stand here all night so you can keep checking me out?”

She squints up at me, a mocking glance. “Oh my gosh, I w-was not checking you out.”

“Admit it, babe. Your eyes were gobbling me up like a bear eats honey.”

“A b-bear? S-So you’re the honey and I’m the hairy b-bear in this scenario?”

“A cute, snuggly red bear.”

She giggles and my chest gets tight. Then her voice drops. “Honey is s-super s-sweet and sticky.”

Fucking A, it is. My dick stands and starts to lean into my shorts, reaching for her. Now is not the time. We gotta stop this or the only theft committed tonight is the innocence I steal under her fathers’s noses.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. “If you know what’s good for you, you won’t ever say the word sticky to me again.”

With a hand to her lower back, I shove her out the door. Two minutes later we’re in Jay the barbarian’s office doing some crime. Dora is bent over the desk with her trophy-winning ass sticking out while I’m leaning against the bookcase watching her, or more precisely watching her ass. I figure I’m here for moral support anyway.

She hits the mouse and the computer screen lights up her face and the adorable baby V etched into her forehead. She gets that same look when she’s concentrating in class or driving and it makes me want to kiss her there and take away everything that has ever made her worry.

“Please tell me you have the password.”

“Of c-course I do. It’s my birthday.” She types, hits return…and the icon bounces.

“It’s locked,” I remark out loud. “At least someone in your family has the good sense to protect their personal stuff.” Glancing over her shoulder at me, she rolls her eyes. “Just sayin’”

She types again, pressing the keys harder this time, hits return…and nothing.

“Maybe you need to capitalize?” I tease, knowing he probably resets it regularly.

Her expression grows increasingly more worried, but she tries again anyway. Still locked. “Nuts!” she whisper-hisses.

“Hey, watch the language, dirty bear.” When I don’t get even the semblance of a smile out of her, I know she’s close to a full-fledged freak-out.

The light comes on and we both freeze. Chief Ramos is standing in the doorway in a t-shirt and sweatpants with a look on his face that says we’re fucked.

Dora

This couldn’t possibly have gone worse. I’m literally frozen in place, hands all over the evidence, caught right in the middle of doing a crime as Dallas keeps joking.

And Dallas…bless his gorgeous heart. He moves to stand next to me, squares his shoulders, and lifts his chin. He meant it when he said he was here to support me and the hand that squeezes mine is a testament to that. I’m sure this was not the impression he wanted to give my parents. He pretends he doesn’t care what other people think of him, but it’s thinly disguised.

Dad on the other hand…Dad doesn’t pretend. His face is stone cold, his hard gaze shuttling between me and Dallas. He’s furious. Thankfully, Daddy comes around the corner to bail us out. He won’t let anything bad happen to Dallas.

“You want to tell me what’s going on here?”

“Sir––”

“Not you,” he says, leveling Dallas with a deadly flat glare. “You don’t talk.” Then he turns on his heels and walks out. “Living room, Dora. Now!”

We all scramble, Dallas bringing up the rear. “Sit,” Dad orders, pointing to the couch. Dallas and I sit side-by-side. Dad plants himself in the armchair opposite us, and Daddy in the one next to his. He gives me a sympathetic smile.

“What were you doing on my computer? The one owned by the U.S. Federal Government.”

“I’m s-sorry, Dad. But––”

“I don’t want to hear buts. You know better.”

I do know better. He must have told us a trillion times over the years never to touch his government issued phones or computers. The guns always went in the safe so those were never an issue.

“What were you looking for?”

“You k-know what I was looking for,” I barely get out. I never planned for getting caught. I’m so bummed that my plans are blown I can’t even muster the remorse he’s looking for.

“And how would you know where to find it?”

“Because that’s where I f-found her email address.” Daddy looks shocked. Dad looks ready to bust a vein. “And yes, I emailed her––b-before you ask. And…and she t-told me to never contact her again. But she doesn’t g-get to make that choice anymore––I do. She’s made all the choices up until now…not anymore.”

Dad’s suspicion moves over to Dallas. “Did you encourage this?”