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My stomach sank, and the next moment, I sprinted from Ruen’s chaotic bedroom and down the stairs. I made it to the last step before I remembered the shop closed at noon on Saturdays.
“I’d tell you there’s no rush for you to leave, but it looks like you just realized that all on your own.”
I paused my panic to look over and found Ruen standing in the arched doorway that looked like it led into the kitchen. She was now dressed in a graphic tee with Snoop Dogg’s face that reached the top of her brown thighs as she leaned a supple shoulder against the doorjamb and watched me with no expression.
“I missed my shift at work.”
“Then there’s no reason you can’t say for breakfast.” She smirked. “Rem made pancakes.”
Blueberry pancakes from the delightful smell drifting from the kitchen. I loved blueberry pancakes. “I…” I swallowed down what I wanted to say and made the only responsible decision I’d managed in the last twenty-four hours. “I should go.”
Ruen didn’t reply as she pushed away from the wall and slowly crossed the small foyer. My body tensed, thinking she’d ambush me where I stood by the stairs, but at the last minute, she hooked a left and headed for the front door.
I released a breath, but then an image of Rowdy and how he would have tried to bully me into staying flashed before my eyes, and I was left even more confused when my skin flushed.
I followed Ruen to the open door and turned to say goodbye as soon I stepped onto the porch and was caught off guard when her lips crashed into mine, stealing the awkward goodbye I had all queued up.
Ruen’s kiss was confident and demanding yet gentle enough to make it clear I could end it at anytime—not at all aggressive, filthy, or disrespectful like how I imagined Rowdy’s would be.
The most confusing part was when I didn’t want to admit, not even to myself, which method of seduction I preferred.
Ruen’s tongue licked the seam of my lips, and I found myself answering her silent request with a noise I wasn’t ready to define. At the first stroke of her tongue against mine, I fisted the front of her T-shirt to pull her closer. We were almost matched in height, with Ruen a little taller, so our bodies lined up perfectly, allowing me to feel her hardened nipples brushing against my own.
As if she knew I was ready to throw caution to the wind and let her take me back upstairs, Ruen broke the connection, and my eyes slowly drifted open to see her watching me with that cruel, cocky glint in her eye.
“Ummm…”
“Let me know if you’re ever curious to see what else I can do with my mouth.”
I blinked, and a moment later, the bitch stepped back and slammed the door in my face. I was left reeling from more than just that confusing kiss as I stumbled down the street to my car in a daze.
What were the odds that in the four days since I arrived in Idlewild, I’d managed to attract not one but two total alphaholes?
Isnuck into Pride of Kings a little early Monday morning as if thirty minutes could possibly make up for missing my entire shift on Saturday. I waved hello to Tuesday, who glared at me before I said fuck it and slipped inside the bathroom. I was only delaying the inevitable, but I needed a moment to collect myself.
It was only one shift.
My first offense.
It’s fine.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror until the worry in my eyes changed into an emotion I could harness. My phone chimed, so I snatched it from the counter and smiled when I saw it was an email from Dr. Saunders, my psych professor.
Good morning, Atlas.
I was surprised not to see you in my class last week, and then I received notice this morning that you dropped my class.
Is everything okay?
I hope I didn’t do anything to make you uncomfortable. Please know I’m here for you if you need to talk.
—SS
Dr. Saunders had become a mentor and big sister over the last few months, and in my darkest hour, she’d been the only constant in my corner. She wasn’t stuffy like the other professors, so her classes were popular, even among non-psych majors.
After my dad died, she’d even given me her personal email, and though it violated multiple school policies, she assured me I could use it whenever I needed. That was just how cool she was.
Smiling still, I clicked reply.
