Crashing Hearts (Pine Valley College #2)

22. Bones

CHAPTER 22

BONES

M y heart hasn’t stopped pounding since I sat in his car on that track. The freedom I felt . . . ? How did he know I needed it?

How does he always know what I need before I do?

How can he read me so easily?

It terrifies me, but I can’t stop myself from falling into Skylar Warren’s orbit, like he’s the sun and I’m the planet. He burns so brightly, it will consume me, I know it, but I can’t stop myself. He kisses my hand as we ride the elevator up to my apartment. I’m silent, staring at his profile. He must feel it, but he says nothing, just rubs his thumb across the back of my hand in soft, maddening strokes.

He’s beautiful.

No, Skylar Warren is not beautiful—he’s magnificent. He’s all power and sharp angles, a beauty like I’ve never seen before. He’s all warmth, that lingering smile doing things to me. His muscles pull at his shirt, and even in a T-shirt and jeans, he looks like a fucking model.

He is the most beautiful person I have ever laid eyes on, and I have been lying to myself about not wanting him. I thought if I didn’t look hard enough, I could keep denying it, but I can’t.

I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.

This isn’t puppy love or lust—this is desire, a flame I can’t stop. It melts the ice inside me, terrifying me, but when he glances over at me and flashes straight white teeth in a wicked smile, I don’t care.

Let him melt all of my edges.

I’d thank him for it.

His smile drops, his eyes lowering to my lips like he can read my thoughts. His expression turns hungry, and my heart pounds harder as desire rolls through me. I look at his lips, wordlessly begging for him to kiss me, but the ding sounds and we both jump.

Chuckling, he pulls me from the elevator and to his side, walking me down the hall to my door. His hand is still in mine as I stare up at him. I shouldn’t say anything, since he’s probably tired. He’s had a long day and been busy with practice. I shouldn’t invite him in.

I shouldn’t demand he finish what he started.

“You should head back,” I say, but it sounds lame even to my own ears. “You’ve been busy, and it’s late. I bet it’s a long drive.”

His eyebrow arches, a confused smile playing on his lips. Can he hear the excuse in my words? Can he tell I’m fighting every single instinct not to throw myself at him?

I never bet my body, but it feels like I did.

“What?” I finally ask, annoyance flaring through me. It’s my knee-jerk reaction to being vulnerable, but unlike anyone else, he doesn’t let it drive him away. He simply grins wider and steps back.

“Not really,” he finally says as he pulls out a key, unlocks the door opposite mine, and swings it open to unveil the dark apartment beyond, one that’s been empty for a few months since the bar owner who lived there moved out.

He winks slyly at me, putting the key away. “Now I can be as close to you as I want.”

I don’t even know what to say. He bought the apartment across from mine and moved in without me knowing to be closer to me?

Embarrassment heats my cheeks, and maybe a little . . . satisfaction—not that I’ll ever tell him that. It might encourage him, and Skylar is already crazy as it is. He needs no encouragement when it comes to me.

“Fine, night,” I call as I shove into my apartment and shut the door, my voice slightly high and tense. Pressing my back to the wood, I hear his laughter and bang my head back, closing my eyes.

I almost threw myself at him. Even now, the wood between us doesn’t feel like much of a barrier. He’s right there, I know it.

He wants me.

I want him.

I hear his voice, teasing and silken, making me shudder. “I’m just across the hall if you get lonely tonight, beautiful.”

I feel him move away, and then his door shuts, and only then do I slump.

Did he realize how close I was to giving in?

Even now, I lift my hand, ghosting my fingers over my lips, which are still sore from his kiss. I can’t remember any other before him, not even my first. All I can see and remember is Sky. In a daze, I change into some shorts and fall into bed.

I toss and turn, my cock still hard as desire pounds through me alongside something else.

Want.

I want Skylar Warren, and not just his body and kisses. I want his smile. I want his eyes on me all the time. I want that obsessive edge of his. I want him to do everything for me—stalk me, chase me, never give up. Maybe it’s fucked up and probably a huge red flag, but I can’t seem to care.

I want to be the center of his entire fucking universe.

I want . . .

I want . . .

Fuck!

I toss and turn, trying to sleep, but it’s no use. His voice is in my head, taunting me while he’s not even here, until I can’t take it anymore.