He stands to his full height, towering over me. “Why didn’t you call someone?” he all but snarls.
All I can do is shake my head. “Th-the weather. I didn’t think it’d be safe?—”
“Safe?You’re talking aboutsafewhen you were out there without a jacket, without gloves, no car and no way to get back inside the school, stranded and bleeding?”
“I wasn’t thinking about all that!” I have to admit, when he lists it all like that, it sounds bad.
He leans forward, his palms against the wall by my head, face inches from mine. “Do you have any idea how lucky I was to find you.”
There’s a waver in his voice, so slight I almost miss it. His eyes are wild. He’s breathing hard. Just like he was after Tess caught us in the classroom.
The mortification of him telling me it would never happen again floods my senses. What makes him think he can suddenly pretend to care about me? He’s hot and cold, like always, and I’m sick of being made a fool.
I shove him back, giving myself room to stand. I feel my Angry Badger Face come to life, ready to fight back.
He glances down.
This is the exact moment I realize I’m pantless. The towel that was covering me is on the floor, and half my ass is out.
It’s fine. My front’s covered enough, and at least I’m not wearing the gag underwear Mara sent me for Christmas.
I square my shoulders, undeterred, and take a step toward him. He takes a step back.Coward.
“I did what I thought was best under the circumstances.”
I take another step, and so does he.Bastard.
“My sisters are the only ones I can count on in this town. I’d never ask them to come out in this. Not for me.”
His eyes blaze, and when I take another step, he doesn’t budge.
Voice low, he says, “Why didn’t you callme.”
“You?!Puh-lease.” I can’t believe he has the nerve to ask that when our entire childhood is one giant red flag. I take one more step. We’re toe to toe. “When have you ever come through for me?”
Hurt flashes over his face, and I falter.
The bandage on my ass for one.
Rescuing me from the blizzard for two.And both of those are just from today.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to take it back, call for a truce, when his eyes narrow and he leans forward.
“Fine.” His breath skates over my lips. “Good to know you feel the same way about me as you always have.”
He’s so close, I can see the flecks of blue in his eyes. My blood starts rushing in my ears. I’m suddenly aware of how hard I’m breathing. Both of us are. All those lusty feelings, all the desire I’ve been pushing back on, everything bubbles to the surface as the moment stretches taut for one breath, two. Then . . .
Snap.
CHAPTER 26
BRIE
Before I can think,my hands fist his flannel, yanking him toward me. His mouth is soft and firm, his facial hair only adding to the deluge of sensations. When his hands find my hips, I bring mine up to his hair. The jacket that was draped over my shoulders falls to the floor.
I walk backward, turning us so he can sit on the bench I just vacated before straddling his lap. My mouth is level with his now, more even. I trail my fingers up the soft skin of his neck, satisfaction snaking through me when he shudders.
I shift, and he pulls his head back.
