Kingston stares at my stomach for a moment before pressing a kiss to the injured area. I gasp when his lips linger, sliding back and forth.
“Kingston, what are you doing?”
I can feel his smile against my skin. “Kissing it better.”
My lips curl upward. “Well, as nice as the thought is, I don’t need you to kiss my boo boos. I’m a big girl—I can take care of myself.”
“What if I want to take care of you?” he murmurs, tugging the waistband of my skirt down so he can press his lips to my hipbone. “What if I want you to be mine?”
“What?”
I suppress a moan when he starts bunching my skirt and peppering my thigh with kisses. I need to get away from him before I do something stupid—like, I don’t know, letting him eat me out on the bathroom floor—so I sidestep him, breaking the contact. “Quit screwing around. Ainsley and the guys are probably standing right outside the door waiting. Didn’t you say you had something you needed to take care of?”
He stands up and not so discreetly adjusts himself. “I do. Go eat.”
“You sure you don’t want to come?” When he smirks, I add, “To lunch?”
He nods. “I’m sure. If Peyton gives you any more trouble at home, I need you to tell me immediately. I don’t like that you’re vulnerable in that house. Make sure you keep your bedroom door locked.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “I don’t need a knight in shining armor to fight my battles for me.”
Kingston gives me a wicked grin. “I never claimed to be a knight. I’d rather be someone’s nightmare and Peyton is high on my shit list right now.”
“Why? Why do you care what she does to me?”
He wraps his hand around the doorknob. “Because whether you want to admit it or not, Jasmine, you’re mine, which means you’re under my protection. Peyton and every other person in this school knows that, but she got cocky, formed an army, and deemed you a target. Doing so is a direct slap in the face to me, and I will not be disrespected. She and her little followers need a reminder of who’s really running the show around here.”
“What are you going to do?”
“If I tell you... I’d have to kill you. And I rather like keeping you around.” He winks before walking out of the room.
Did Mr. Serious actually crack a
joke?
What in the ever-loving fuck is happening with this guy, and why am I thrilled by the possibilities?
Good Lord, I’m in trouble.
“SHE ACTUALLY SAID THAT?” Ainsley pops a fry into her mouth.
I finish chewing before replying. “Yep.”
Ainsley frowns. “What a bitch. I’m so glad my brother finally stopped worrying about what other people think and dumped her ass.”
I just finished recapping the whole bathroom incident while eating lunch with Ainsley, Reed, and Bentley. The guys share a look as if they’re biting back their own comments. Do they know about the deal Kingston made with Peyton?
“Peyton’s behavior doesn’t surprise me in the least,” Reed says. “But Whitney striking out on her own does.”
I also told them about Whitney rallying our classmates to taunt me.
“Maybe she’ll realize the error of her ways the next time she gets thirsty and I won’t let her milk me dry.” Bentley takes a giant bite of his Animal Style burger.
Reed laughs. “Yeah, right. I’ve never seen you turn down pussy.”
“It’s true!” he insists through a mouthful of food. “I wouldn’t do that to Jazzy Jazz. Besides, it’s not like I don’t have back up.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a pig.”