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“For what?”

“Finally standing up to that dick, duh,” she replies. “I still hate how he got away with murder. His asshole brother, too. I’m just glad you gave him a piece of that don’t-fuck-with-me attitude I know you have.”

I shrug, my feet skimming the leaves on the forest floor as we trudge along. “Honestly, I was being nice. I could have really gone for his ego, a.k.a. his dick size.” I haven’t forgotten when he used to run around naked as a seven-year-old.

“Oh, that would’ve been a solid blow,” Bonnie guffaws. “Next time, be sure to use that material.”

“For his sake, I hope there won’t be a next time. Enough about Peter, anyway. I need to catch some butterflies for pinning. I almost have my collection done.”

“Eew,” she complains. “I can’t believe you murder them like that.”

“It’s okay. I usually look for dead ones, but otherwise, they don’t live long.” I explain the whole process.

“The man who steals your heart has an uphill battle, Sky.”

“Huh?”

“Trying to fend off all that sexy talk about pinning and whatnot.” She giggles.

I realize she’s teasing me when she kisses my cheek and waves at me, getting in her car and heading home. I look at my basically empty house and sigh before taking off my T-shirt and heading right back to the pool. I kick my feet in the water.

It’s not that weird to collect bugs, is it? I could collect worse things. Like tattoos or men, or … or other things. I kick my foot harder, and my heel hits the wall, making me flinch.

At least I get a whole day without Ash. I still have plenty to think of when it comes to him, and I don’t have the faintest idea where to start. I know he’s texted me twice, but I’m sure he doesn’t remember last night anyway.

Still, I look at my phone as I get in bed and see him saying the exact opposite. And encouraging me to take advantage of him next time.

There won’t be a next time. I’ll just let my brother find him instead.

I try to make the next day just as Ash-free so I try to figure things out. After being home alone for hours, done with cleaning up and cooking, too bored to even watch TV, my dad comes in. He grumbles about a hard day and goes right to bed without even stopping to eat the dinner I prepared, or to even check on me.

I curl around a pillow. Dad’s misery is exactly why I have to keep my distance from Ash. He’ll make me need him, want his company, then ask me to change my life for him, little bits at a time, until he’s everything to me, and I can’t allow that. Hell no. Like Mom, he’s going to break my heart, too.

After another hour and a text from my brother saying he’s not coming home, I feel cold in a way that blankets can’t seem to fix. The movies just make it worse, seeing people who would kill for each other, die for each other and everything in between …

I text Ash.I’m bored.

He replies almost at once.I can fix that. I just need a yes, please.

Me:I don’t do please.

Ash:Why is hatred so hot on you?

Why isthisthe guy I can’t get out of my head? That stupid, needy side of me is in control and wants his attention. I almost invite him over, but then I throw myself in the pool. My new bikinis might as well get some use. After a thorough swim, I head upstairs to get changed.

Bikinis look good, too.

I read his text and look out the window to find him watching, reclining on his bed with a sexy smirk, shirtless, gorgeous, and entirely focused on me.

Restraint. It’s best for both of us. It is. I know that, but damn, I’m so tired of being good, of doing what I’m supposed to do. So I undo the top of my bikini while watching Ash.

He stands up and braces himself against the window. I undo the other clasp and make sure my hair is covering my breasts before letting my bikini fall to the floor. My phone vibrates angrily on my dresser, and I pick it up without looking away from Ash.

His voice is husky and hot, pricking every nerve across my skin. “What are you doing?”

“Whatever the fuck I want.”

Chapter 11