Page 21 of Stolen Summer

He lit the candle, placing it on the table. “What else are we going to do until the power comes back on?” His eyes darted to my lips as he reached for another candle.

“Fine, what are you offering me if I win, Cole?” I couldn’t believe I was agreeing to this.

Something flashed in his eyes when I said his name, and it made me curious. I didn’t know him at all and definitely not well enough to read his tells or expressions. “Tell me what you want, Killer.”

“For starters, for you to stop referring to me as Killer.” I folded my arms over my chest. “If I can resist your so-called alluring charms, you leave me alone. We never see each other again.”

A muscle ticked along his jaw, and I thought he might argue. “Agreed.”

“I plan to win, just so we’re clear.”

His eyes smoldered under the flame as he lit a third candle. “I never lose.” He tipped the taper candle slightly so it leaned closer to my chin. The flame warmed my face, but I didn’t flinch or look away. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “I have a feeling I could take you right now. On this very fucking table,” he murmured.

My chest rose and fell in heavier movements, and I couldn’t understand why my body found his words so hot. No, it wasn’t just what he said or the way he said it; it was him. Cole.

I backed into the table, my fingers clutching the sides. “If you did, it would be against my will.” My chin lifted defiantly.

“You’d spread your legs for me, wouldn’t you, Killer?”

“Fuck off.” I snapped the words hot and fast, my eyes flaring with anger. “I’d as soon cut off your dick then let you touch me.” I shoved away from him, taking off in the dark with my flashlight in hand. He was lucky I didn’t whack him over the head with it. The urge had been there.

God, how can someone make me so damn mad? Especially someone I barely know?

I had no idea where I was going, but thankfully, Cole didn’t follow me. Switching on the flashlight, I remembered there was a bathroom off the hallway. It seemed like the easiest escape route.

Ducking inside, I locked the door and set the light on the counter. It offered enough of a glow so I could pee and avoid bumping shit. As I washed my hands, I stared into the mirror.

God, what a mess.

“What are you doing?” I whispered to my shaded reflection.

This wasn’t like me. Well, not exactly. I’d been known to not back down from a dare, but when it came to the summer assholes, I never toyed with them. Not like Frankie did. I had no interest in rich boys who came to Fallen Oaks looking for a fling. And most of them learned quickly not to mess with me.

Why was Cole so different?

I washed my hands and sighed.

Now what the hell did I do? Stay in the bathroom? How long could I hide out in here? An hour? Two? A day?

Surely, at some point, he could come looking for me.

I splashed cold water on my face. A window sat to my left, boarded up like all the others in the house. Outside, the storm winds continued to lash, and it occurred to me that I’d forgotten about the hurricane and my fears and worries while I’d been arguing with Cole. Had he riled me up on purpose?

Or I could be giving him credit he didn’t deserve.

He was a sanctimonious asshole. That much I could be certain of if nothing else. His nonsensical bet could suck it.

Chapter Eight

Ilasted ten minutes.

Ten fucking minutes, and I was already going out of my mind. It was sad when I preferred the company of a jerk over silence, particularly when I spent so much of my time looking for solitude.

Now that I’d been detached from the world, I craved human contact.

Just not Cole’s.

Never Cole’s.