Chapter 2
715 Words
The next morning, I was at school early.
I took my seat and fixed my eyes on the door.
Ethan finally walked in. My gaze went straight to his wrist.
Damn. His sleeve was covering everything.
I waited for the right moment. When he went to fill his water bottle, I pretended to trip and splashed water across his arm.
"Oh, sorry! I lost my footing."
I grabbed some tissues and started dabbing at his sleeve, playing every inch of it.
Ethan's breath caught. He grabbed my wrist, his voice flat. "It's fine."
And then, right in front of my very eager eyes, he took off his jacket.
The couple's bracelet came into full view on his wrist.
Just as I'd thought.
I felt a surge of pure satisfaction. 'So what if you're number one? I figured out who you are first.'
That evening, I called him on video.
He picked up instantly, his voice warm with amusement. "Did you miss me, babe?"
I typed.
Stella: Yeah. I want to try something a little different tonight.
The second I sent it, I heard his breath catch on the other end.
His voice dropped low. "What does my babe want to do?"
I pulled out my practice notebook.
Stella: We're working on some problems!
Silence.
Then a quiet laugh. "That's the game?"
I typed back, completely matter-of-fact.
Stella: Two minutes to read through all the questions. Walk me through your thinking on each one. Get them all right and you'll get a reward.
Something shifted in his breathing.
"Okay."
For the next two hours, I listened to him work through every problem while I scribbled notes as fast as my hand would move.
'Come on, keep writing.'
'Get every last thing out of that head of his.'
When he finished, two full hours had passed.
Every single answer was correct.
Damn it.
These were my own practice problems. Questions I'd gotten wrong. And he hadn't missed one.
I closed my eyes and took a slow breath. 'Don't get worked up. I just absorbed everything in his head. I got exactly what I came for.'
Soon, I was going to take that number-one spot back.
He let out a soft laugh, his voice low and unhurried. "So, where's my reward, babe?"
I made a dismissive sound and ended the call.
Stella: Your reward is getting to go to sleep early tonight.
He replied almost immediately.
Ethan: Babe, are you upset?
Stella: No.
Ethan: I have a way to cheer you up. Want to see?
I raised an eyebrow.
What?
He called on video right away.
I picked up.
On screen: a shirtless man, a silver chest chain glinting against his skin, his expression dangerously attractive.
He smiled. "Feeling better?"
I swallowed.
'This jerk. All he ever knew how to do was tempt people.'
You couldn't tell under school clothes, but Ethan had a seriously good body.
My reaction clearly amused him. He laughed, chest rising and falling with it, the chain catching the light with every movement. Unbearably alluring.
"Babe, when are we finally going to meet? I want to f**k you."
I stared at him. He said it without any hesitation, completely casually, his words sending heat rushing straight through me.
"Every night I dream about you. Your waist is so small, if I push all the way in, you'd probably see the shape from the outside. And I dream about your body shaking all over while you cry and call me your Honey."
He looked ready to keep going. I cut in.
Stella: After the SATs. We're meeting after the SATs.
He stopped easily and smiled. "I can't wait. I'll show up at my absolute best for you."
The suggestion in his voice was unmistakable. Images I hadn't invited formed in my head.
My face went bright red. I ended the call.
'Shameless man. All he ever did was get under my skin.'
I lay back on my bed, too wound up to settle.
He texted.
Ethan:Good night, babe.
I typed back.
Stella:Good night.
I closed my eyes. A few minutes later, I sat bolt upright.
'Good night my ass.'
He was asleep. This was prime study time.
Tonight, I was going to work through everything he'd just explained.
I'd grind him into the ground.
- Writer
