“I came to check on you.”
Excuse me?I was not expecting him to say that. Honestly, I’m shocked he even answered my question with actual words.
He takes a cautious step toward me while shoving his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “I saw what happened. It was a pretty sad fucking sight really.”
“So, you’ve what? Come to take pity on me? Or are you going to rub it in my face? Wanted to take the first shot at me?”
“I pity the fact that Ryker actually thought that lame ass attempt at a kiss was being “giving.” I thought about tackling you myself in order to get you away from him before he could assault your face anymore.”
Did Zane just make a joke? I don’t know if I should laugh or not. This night just keeps getting weirder and weirder. Instead, I focus on the fact that he witnessed apparently everything that had just took place. “Yet, you probably laughed like everyone else.”
His eyes turn dangerously darker and his head tilts as he studies me before speaking. “I didn’t laugh.”
For whatever reason, I blurt the first thought that comes to mind. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh. I’ve never even seen you smile.”
He quirks a single brow. “Have you been watching me?”
“No.”
“Maybe that’s why then.”
I’m not sure what to say, and I’m starting to get cold standing here with wet hair and clothes. “Well, I really need to get cleaned up. Do you mind stepping outside, and maybe not picking the lock again?”
“No.”
“No?”
“No.”
“Why the hell not?”
He takes another slow, calculated step toward me. “I heard Ryker and some of his buddies. They might try to come up here.”Zane’s face softens a tiny bit. “Those guys are dicks. He doesn’t deserve your kisses.”
I snort. I can’t help it. Hearing Zane Burrell, ultimate school badass, tell me that Ryker, the most gorgeous guy at school, doesn’t deservemykisses. This isn’t a Hallmark movie but some B-rated teen movie. Zane’s eyes turn almost black as his jaw hardens. “What’s so funny?”
“I didn’t expectyouto say something like that.”
“One thing you should know about me is that I don’t lie or bullshit…ever.I saw the way you looked at him before that lame-ass kiss. Then I saw how your eyes turned to his for help, only to fall into despair when he laughed at you. Any decent person would’ve helped you up.”
“Why didn’t you? If you saw the whole thing, why didn’t you help me?”
He doesn’t even blink. “I’m not a decent person. I was on the upstairs balcony; I couldn’t get to you. But I watched as Cameron brought you up the stairs and into this room.” I give a single nod as anokay.Some part of me believes him. That he wouldn’t have laughed and he would’ve helped me up. He clearly doesn’t give two shits what anyone at this party thinks. Zane has proven plenty of times at school that he is not easily impressed by anyone. Even the jocks are afraid of him after he knocked a few of them out at school. The first time one of the jocks tried to tease him for his long hair, he turned the guy’s desk over and got in his face asking him to repeat himself. The guy did, and then he spit his tooth out after Zane punched him.
“So are you just going to sit in here while I’m in the bathroom?”
“No, I’m going to join you…”
My body tenses, but oddly, it also gets a little excited.What the fuck is wrong with me?Zane is extremely hot but also hella scary. He’s like a gorgeous animal that you want to look atand pet, but common sense kicks in, so you’re terrified it might go for your jugular and eat you. Zane Burrell is a fucking wolf, and his hungry eyes are set on me.
Those gorgeous canine teeth make an appearance when he smiles.Oh shit.I think my ovaries just exploded. There’s the real reason Zane doesn’t smile. Chaos would erupt. His smile is basically porn for girls’ eyes, and I wouldn’t mind being bitten by those teeth. “I’m just fucking with you. Of course, I’m going to wait over here and make sure none of those dickheads try to come through that door.” He raises up his hands. “I promise. I wouldn’t hurt you, Shawna.”
I’ve never cared for my name, but the way it rolls off Zane’s tongue has me wanting to hear it again. “Thanks.”
I turn, giving him my back, and for the first time since coming to this party, I smile.
Chapter 2
Zane
