Page 23 of Dirty Monsters

And neither was she.

She was still delicate, though, and had the same soft features she did as a kid. She had those same sad eyes I remembered and chewed on her cheek the way she did when she was nervous.

Time changed a lot of things but not those, not on her. It was why everything clicked so quickly for me. I spent a lot of time as a kid watching her, picking up on her nuances. My brother made her life miserable, and not a day passed when it wasn’t broadcasted across her face.

She stayed away from me as much as possible and didn’t talk to me. Only on occasion would she attempt to ask me something, and I continually gave her my undivided attention while I could.

But it wasn't a lot, and it wasn't enough.

The bottom line was, I didn't think Wren knew who she was talking to. She really was here by coincidence and obviously because of coke.

What reason would a princess like Wren have to get herself involved with a shit show like drugs? Didn’t her parents raise her better? Didn’t they express the repercussions of “scandal” to their daughter?

I backed away from Wren when I realized I had been too close for too long. Her breathing had increased, and her breasts were pressed against my chest with each inhale.

My dick was responding without my consent, and I threw myself into the wall behind me to escape the very wrong and forbidden nature of what the hell was happening.

I pulled her into the closet to question her intentions, not question my own.

“Look,” I backtracked, trying to save face without reminding her I existed. “You are not in the Orange House yet. You cannot walk out to the beach. I don't want to see you get in trouble.”

She exhaled her relief, happy the cause for my crazy was easily fixed. “I don't always follow the rules.” She shrugged, once again making my body want to test her ability and willingness to bend the rules.

“Well,” I breathed, “I wanted to give you a heads-up.”

Trying to get away from Molly caused this fiasco. I wanted to get away from her, so I faked needing to talk to Wren, which turned into a real conversation with Wren, and another misunderstanding and more fucking drama.

I wouldn’t be sleeping again tonight. I could feel it.

This was too much.

The only thing I had on my side was that she didn't realize I was me. Which meant she wouldn't cause trouble. No one would find out where I came from and what kind of life I left behind.

I was determined to keep it that way.

Reaching for the door, I leaned over to Wren and confessed a little. “We cannot be seen leaving this closet together.”

She nodded but smiled as if she found this slightly funny. I guess if we were any other two people, I could see the humor, but we weren’t, and I couldn't.

“Let me check things out, and I will let you know when the coast is clear.”

I slid out of the closet and leaned on the door to block it while I watched people pass back and forth by the end of the hallway.

Once there was a gap, I opened the door and brought Wren out quickly.

She didn't run off and back to her lunch, though. She just turned to me in the bright lights of the hall and crossed her arms.

“See ya tomorrow morning.” She smirked before walking away.

I didn't need permission to test the limits. I was completely focused on making him see how into him I was. Maybe it was dangerous, but I lived for the high. I liked doing things I shouldn’t, and I had a feeling he’d be into it if he gave in.

It was something about the way he dragged me into the hall closet like a dirty secret that lit a flame inside me I couldn’t extinguish. Something that needed to be explored.

Tomorrow was the day I moved to Orange House, which was his territory. I would be in his vicinity every day.

I thought back to the conversation in the closet. The scent of his cologne was appealing to me. The way his breath slipped off his lips like he wanted to fuck me and pummel me. It fanned across my skin, luring me into the wicked thoughts lurking in the dark space surrounding us. My body was begging for it.

Fuck.