Chapter 71
I stumble backward from the force of the collision, but Nathan’s hands immediately grip my forearms, steadying me.
I look up at him, wide–eyed. He’s mirroring the same expression. “Are you okay?” he breathes.
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I nod mutely.
“Well,” Lou says. “I best get going.” Since I’m taking up a lot of space at the doorway, she turns to the side and slides out of the room through the small gap left.
She shoots me a thumbs up before disappearing into the living room.
I swallow tightly, reverting my gaze to Nathan.
“Um…” his hands fall from my arms, and he runs one through his hair. “Sorry about that,” he says. “I was coming to apologize, and I was hesitant to knock, so I just stood outside like a dumbass.”
I frown. “Apologize?”
He lets out a puff of air. “Yeah.”
“Why?”
He sighs. “I didn’t mean to embarrass or upset you. But I also didn’t want to look bad in front of your friends if—”
“They’re not my friends,” I feel the need to clarify.
Nathan nods. “Okay, noted. Anyway, I’m sorry, I just thought it would be safer to kiss you since you were the only one I’m familiar with.”
Something like emptiness yawns open in my chest, and the giddiness from earlier disappears into thin air.
Nathan didn’t choose me to kiss because he found me the most attractive. He did it because I’m safe. Familiar.
Somehow–don’t ask me how–it hurts more than the ‘I’d rather eat shit‘ comment.
“Right,” I say, taking a step back. “Got it.”
He looks at me worriedly. “Are you good? Are you…mad?”
I shake my head and force a smile. “No, not mad.” But not fucking good either.
Nathan doesn’t look convinced, but I don’t have it in me to convince him. I’m glad I walked away. The only thing worse than having my first kiss in a room full of strangers on a dare would be having it because I was familiar.
A yawn catches me off guard, and I’m unable to stifle it in time.
“You should get some rest,” Nathan says. “It’s been a long day.”
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Chapter 71
He turns to leave, but I reach out and grab his wrist. “Walt, where are you going?“.
He blinks. “I figured I’d take the couch.”
I shake my head. “It’s old and lumpy. No way in hell am I letting you sleep on it.” I wave inside the room. “You can sleep here.”
Nathan’s eyes widen. “With you?”
I almost choke on thin air when the image of Nathan and me cuddled in bed flashes through my mind. “N–no.” I swallow. “I’ll sleep with
Lou.”
He releases a breath. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
I nod and step out of the doorway, tugging Nathan so he replaces me there. “Do you need anything?” I ask.
Nathan shakes his head. “I’m good. Thanks for this, April.”
I shrug. “I’ve been living in your house for weeks. This is nothing.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not nothing. Thank you.”
I nod, smiling. “You’re welcome.”
He returns my smile. “Goodnight.”
I give him a small wave. “Goodnight.”
I head over to Louise’s room and frown when I turn the knob, and the door doesn’t budge.
A few seconds after I knock, the door opens to reveal a shirtless Malik.
“Oh,” I say, my eyes wide.
Lou pops her head underneath his arm. She’s in only her underwear. “What’s up, babe?”
I feel my cheeks redden, feeling like I shouldn’t be here. “I thought you said you sent everyone home,”
“Malik isn’t ‘everyone.“”
I laugh nervously. “Right. My bad.”
I give a wave, feeling silly. “Sorry to disturb you guys. Goodnight.”
As I turn away, Louise says, “April?”
I turn back to her. “Yeah?”
She smirks. “If you need condoms, just knock.”
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Chapter 71
I narrow my eyes. “I’m not even going to answer that.”
And I turn away before she and Malik can see how red my face becomes.
I sigh when I hear Louise’s door close and lock behind me.
Old and lumpy couch it is.
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Because of how uncomfortable and light my sleep is, thanks to the lumpy couch, my eyes fly open as soon as the sounds start.
I groan and sit up, rubbing my eyes. I frown, wondering what I heard when the sounds start again–groans.
My face twists in disgust when I realize I could be hearing Malik and Lou going at it.
I’m about to lie down again when I hear the sound again–a groan and a sob.
Curiosity pushes me to my feet, and I move towards the sound. My frown deepens when it doesn’t lead me to Louise’s door–but my own.
I knock gently on the door. “Nathan?” I whisper. “Are you okay?”
The only answer I get is that groan, which, now that I’m closer, sounds like someone in pain.
I push the door open gently and poke my head in.
The lights are on, which is odd. I didn’t think Nathan was the kind of person to sleep with the lights on.
He’s lying face–up, shirtless, and the sight of him lying in my tiny bed warms something in me.
Then I notice the other details.
The creaky fan is on, but his bare chest glistens with sweat, and he’s writhing on the bed, his mouth parted, letting out those heart- wrenching sounds.
Without pausing to think, I step into the room, closing the door gently behind me.
“Nathan,” I call out softly, but he doesn’t answer.
I sit gingerly on the side of the bed. His gorgeous face is contorted in pain, and I wonder what he could possibly be dreaming about to cause him so much agony.
I reach out and squeeze his arm gently. “Nath-”
His eyes fly open, and a gasp escapes me at the manic, wild look in them. In a flash, he reaches out and grips the wrist of the hand on his arm. Then he tugs, pulling me into bed. As I fall forward with a small squeak, he moves, turning so I end up on my back, and he hovers over me, panting harshly.
My eyes widen as I stare up at him, my heart thundering loudly in my ears. Nathan stares down at me, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
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14:53 Sat, Oct 4
Chapter 71
In any other situation, the position we’re in would send a million delicious sensations running through me.
But Nathan’s tight grip on my arm, the feral look in his green eyes…
He looks too much like Lucas–and that terrifies me.
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Winning the Heir Who Bullied Me
