Chapter 8
1119 Words
Easton smiled but didn’t move from his spot.
“You don’t know me, Ashley. I could be everything those rumors say about me—a thug, a junkie, even a murderer.” His breath brushed softly against my skin, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “You’re just a defenseless girl. You shouldn’t have come here alone. It’s dangerous…”
My heartbeat started speeding up, and my ears even began to ring. But if Easton’s goal was to scare me, he wasn’t going to succeed.
“You’re not going to hurt me,” I said confidently, proud that my voice didn’t shake.
He tilted his head and moved his face closer to mine.
“Why are you so sure I won’t?”
“Because you saved me during the accident.” He frowned. “By the way, how did you stop the car, Easton?”
His body tensed, and he abruptly stepped back. Then he let out something close to a scoff.
“So that’s why you came, huh? To ask stupid questions.”
“No,” I replied without hesitation. “I had to find you. You disappeared for several days, and I invested a lot of money in you.”
There was no reason for him to get defensive. After the accident, I had tried to find a logical explanation for what I saw, and I ended up assuming it had all been an adrenaline-fueled reaction. It was the most rational explanation.
And although it was true that Easton could be terrifying sometimes—especially when I was alone with him—something inside me told me he wasn’t capable of hurting a girl.
If he were, he would’ve done it already.
“And?” The corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. “I don’t remember promising to report back to you.”
I frowned.
“You owe me your time. I already paid part of the money.” My eyes wandered around the apartment once more. “And from the looks of it, you already started spending it.”
“Relax, princess. I didn’t know you were coming to inspect my expenses,” he murmured teasingly.
I stared at him seriously, but I couldn’t stop my eyes from drifting over his body for a few seconds, admiring every inch of skin covered in muscle and ink along his arms. How was it possible for Easton to have that kind of body? Most guys our age weren’t nearly as muscular as him—not even the hockey players, and they worked out every day.
“Do you like what you see?”
My cheeks heated instantly.
“Go put some clothes on.”
“But it looks like you’re enjoying the view.”
“Get dressed.”
“You’ve got a little drool right—”
“Easton!”
“Alright, I’ll be back in a second,” he said, still grinning.
That i***t really seemed to enjoy embarrassing me.
While I waited for Easton to come back wearing actual clothes, I sat down on one of the living room couches, trying to calm my racing heartbeat. Why was I so nervous? This wasn’t the first time I’d seen a guy shirtless. I mean, I’d seen Nate’s bare chest before… stop it, focus, and quit thinking about shirtless men.
When I heard the shower running, I nearly rolled my eyes. If there was one thing I hated, it was being kept waiting. Several minutes later, he returned to the living room with wet hair, wearing dark sweatpants and a tight white shirt.
“So?” he asked, dropping onto the couch across from me.
“So what?”
“Why did you walk into my apartment like you owned the place?”
“I already told you, the girl at the front desk gave me the keys,” I repeated. “And I just wanted to know why you haven’t shown up at the university these past few days.”
“I’ve been a little busy.”
“Well, let me remind you that we made a deal, and I’ve been waiting for you.”
“You shouldn’t trust people so quickly, Ashley.” Every time Easton said my name like that, my entire body shivered. “It makes you vulnerable.”
“But you said you’d help me.”
“I changed my mind.”
“So you’re not going to help me?”
But instead of answering, the i***t smiled. That alone was enough to make me feel stupid. So he really had played me.
Before I could start arguing with him for scamming me, he spoke first, stealing the words right out of my mouth.
“I’m kidding. You already paid for my services. Besides, I’m a man of my word.”
“Did you know you’re a complete asshole?” I said as I stood up to glare at him.
That arrogant smile on his lips only widened. Seriously, I wanted to slap him.
“I can’t help it. It’s one of my charms.” When he leaned closer, I knew he was about to kiss me, so I planted both hands on his chest and shoved him hard.
“That’s enough. Stop acting like an idiot.”
“Alright, alright.” He stepped back, raising both hands. “So what do you want me to do?”
“First of all, I want you to stop skipping university for no reason. There are already a ton of rumors about you selling drugs and joining the mafia.”
“Mafia?” He raised both eyebrows. “That’s a new one.”
“There’s a hockey game tomorrow,” I informed him. “I’m sure Nate and Cassie are going to try rubbing their relationship in my face. I want you there, so don’t skip the game.”
“I understand.” He opened the door and held it for me. “See you tomorrow, then.”
“Are you kicking me out?”
“You were already leaving.”
“But we’re not done talking yet…”
“Tomorrow at the university. I’ll see you at the stupid game, message received. I think we’re done talking now.”
I made a face.
“Fine, but before I go, take this,” I murmured, remembering the notes.
Easton looked at the pink notebook in my hands and frowned.
“And what’s this supposed to be…?”
“My notes. You missed two classes we have together, so you should catch up.”
“Mmm… okay.” I had never seen him look so confused before, and his reaction made me smile.
“See you tomorrow.”
- Writer
