Hurting You (Blackthorn Elite 3)

“Awe, thank you,” the lady behind the register beams. “That was so nice of you.”

“No problem,” Cameron’s smooth voice meets my ear. He’s chocolate dipped in poison. Tempting to the eye, but if you take a bite, it might just kill you.

I’m sure everybody who is seeing this thinks I’m being incredibly rude by not thanking him or even turning around to look at him, but they don’t know who he is or what he is capable of.

“What an ungrateful bitch,” the guy who has been waiting in line behind me mumbles under his breath.

“Oh, don’t worry, she is going to be very grateful,” Cam responds his voice gravelly, as he places his hand on the back of my neck. His touch is nothing but a reminder of the power he holds over me, of the secret that connects us. A shiver runs through my body as I suck in a shaky breath.

I catch the concerned look the cashier gives me right before she asks, “Are you okay, miss?”

“She’s fine,” Cameron answers for me, giving the back of my neck a light squeeze. It’s a warning. “Isn’t that right, Stella?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” I murmur as I grab my bags and turn around to face him. His hand falls away then, but he doesn’t move his body. Because he is standing so close and the register is right behind me, I have nowhere to go. As always, there is no escaping him.

Since he is much taller than me, I have to tip my head back to look into his eyes. The moment our gazes collide, I wish I hadn’t looked at him at all.

The look he gives me sends an icy shiver down my spine. The corners of his mouth twitch as if he’s enjoying seeing me scared which only makes me more scared. Who enjoys instilling fear in others? A crazy person, that’s who.

Finally stepping to the side, he nods his head toward the door, signaling for me to go ahead. I move past him and out the door, refusing to look back at him, though I know he is there, following me like a shadow that refuses to disappear.

Once outside, I feel tempted to turn around and run back into the store. Apparently, I’m not safe anywhere. I make it all of five feet before Cameron has his hand wrapped around my wrist. He walks me to my car but only to put the two grocery bags inside. Of course, he has other plans. I shouldn’t be surprised. He closes the door and tugs me to what I assume is his car, which happens to be a sleek sports car that looks like it cost more than a year’s tuition at Blackthorn.

“Get in,” he orders, opening the backseat door for me. I hesitate for about two seconds, but then force myself to move and listen to him, grinding my teeth together the entire time.

I slide into the back of his sleek looking car. The leather feels soft and cool under my fingers, reminding me all over again how, as a rich asshole, he can do whatever he wants. Instead of closing the door behind me like I expect him to, he climbs into the car after me.

“Slide over,” he nudges me forward, but I’m already scooting away from him doing whatever I can to put some distance between us. “Not that far,” he coaxes, his hand wrapping around my thigh as he settles into his seat. As soon as he closes the door behind us, I feel like I’m suffocating. The space is much too small for both of us.

“I need to go home, my grandma—”

“I can send Easton to go spend some time with Grams while we’re busy.”

“No!” That would be even worse than Grams on her own.

Cameron just chuckles. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. This won’t take long. I’ve been dreaming of your lips wrapped around my cock all day.”

My breath hitches at the word cock. Obviously, I’ve heard it before, but suddenly I feel like I’m twelve hearing some boy say it for the first time. My cheeks heat in embarrassment. I’m half tempted to tell him I’ve never given a blowjob, but I wonder if that would make things worse.

“B-but…wait…” I start, peering around us. We’re inside a car parked at the side of the store, but there still might be people that can walk past us and see inside.

“Windows are tinted, so if you’re worried about someone seeing us, rest assured no one will.” Cameron reads my mind. But it’s not just the fear of being caught, it’s not wanting to be in this car with him, trapped and completely at his mercy.

“Why are you doing this? You can get any girl you want, why can’t you just leave me alone?” I know mouthing off right now is not my best bet, but at least there is only one of them now, and we are in a semi-public place. If I scream loud enough, someone would help me… maybe. Cameron’s features turn dark.