“What? Why? I thought she stayed with you.”
“She did until she healed enough to come back here.”
“So let me get this straight. There is nothing going on between you two, but you risked your life to save her, you killed for her, and now you’re still protecting her?”
“What I do and why I do it is not your concern.”
“You made it my concern when you asked me to help.”
“There is a lot of shit going on that you don’t know. Just do it, okay?”
Brittney sighs. “Fine, as long as you are telling the truth about keeping Aspen safe.”
I give her a nod, but I get the feeling she still isn’t convinced. “I swear, keeping her out of harm’s way is my only concern.”
“You’re lucky I believe you.” She wrinkles her nose at me. “Now, get out before she drops by.”
“Thank you.” I rarely thank people for anything. I simply expect them to do shit for me, but I actually do appreciate her a lot and not just for hacking Nash’s phone. If it wasn’t for her, Aspen would be on her own. Brittney has been a good friend to her, and Aspen needs one now more than ever.
I make my way back through the quiet main floor of the library, my thoughts swirling around my next three steps in an effort to keep Aspen safe without drawing attention to my family.
Just as I step into the underground tunnel leading back to the dorm, my eyes catch sight of a head full of sunshine-colored hair. Aspen looks up, her gaze locking with mine.
My step falters, and I’m frozen in place for a moment. My chest aches, the stupid thing below my rib cage longing for the girl in front of me. She is so close, yet so fucking far away.
“Don’t look at me like that. You’re the one who isn’t supposed to be here. The library is my spot, remember?”
“That deal is off the table, and you know it. You have nothing to offer me anymore.”
“Stop lying, Quinton. If this is about you wanting to fuck me, then let’s go. Take me to your room and fuck me.” I know she is bluffing, but shit, my cock gets hard at the prospect.
“Shut up. You couldn’t handle it.”
“Try me. Let’s go.” She reaches for me, and I’m so stunned by her actions that I don’t even flinch when she grabs a fistful of my shirt and tries to drag me down the hall.
“Aspen, stop,” I warn, but that only makes her pull harder.
“No!” She pulls hard enough to actually make me move. “You want to fuck, so let’s go fuck.”
“Last warning, stop pushing.” My voice takes on a sharp edge, but she stays determined to make her point, so I have to make mine. Grabbing her wrist, I spin her around and shove her against the closest wall.
She gasps, her body goes rigid, and when I glimpse her eyes, I don’t miss the fear flickering there. I’ve probably already scared her enough, but I decide to drive it home by wrapping my fingers around her slender throat.
“Is this what you want?” I grit my teeth, forcing my body to hover over hers in a threatening manner instead of pulling her into my arms.
“Yes,” she whimpers. “I want this. If this is the only way I can have you.”
Fuck.
I squeeze my eyes shut because if I look at the anguish in her beautiful face for another second, I will give in. I will forget every reason we shouldn’t be together, throw her over my shoulder, and take her to my room where I’ll lock her in and never let her go.
“We can’t,” I whisper, more to myself. Pressing my forehead against hers, I let my fingertips dance over the smooth skin on her neck. We are both breathing heavy. Emotions clog my throat, and I have to force the air past.
“I miss you,” she croaks, and all I want to do is tell her the same. I have to remember what’s at stake.
“Don’t. You need to forget about me.”
“I can’t. I love you.” Her words slice through me like a hot blade, burning my insides without killing me—because death would be the easy way out. This is worse than death, so much worse.
A part of me knew she loved me, just as I love her, but hearing those three little words spoken out loud somehow makes it worse. It makes it real. Now that the words are out, I can’t pretend they don’t exist.
“I could never love you.” The words leave my mouth, but they don’t sound like mine. They belong to some stranger, a shadow without a face.
“Why are you lying?” The anguish in her voice cuts deeper than I expected. I’d prepare myself to see her, but obviously not well enough.
“You’re the one lying if you think we can be together.” I suck in a breath, wanting to breathe her in, taking in as much as I can of her scent. Letting my hand fall from her neck, I push away from the wall and turn my back to her.