Page 6 of Devil Within

I want to know how those lips would taste—

“That’s it for today,” the professor is saying. “I’ll see all of you tomorrow, don’t forget to read the book!”

I stay in my seat until the professor leaves and then I wait patiently as Parker places her satchel over her shoulder and leaves, before making my move.

She is a few feet outside of the classroom. I let out a deep breath and ease my shoulders before calling out to her.

“Parker.”

She turns around, her face a mix of confusion when she sees me. Does she not recognize me?

But then her eyes widen and she says, “Oh hey, it’s Hudson, right?”

5

Tension

Parker

Hudson. The guy from the party. He stands there before me, emitting confidence. His athletic physique compliments his tall frame.

Up close, I can see that his eye colour is a dark jade. He probably knows he’s very good-looking and he definitely looks like someone I should avoid. I’m not in the mood to talk to another guy just yet. Let alone a hot one.

“Yeah,” he says. “I was walking by and I saw you inside the Literature class and then I remembered you from the party.”

I want to laugh ask God what kind of sick joke this is but instead, I ask Hudson, “You remembered me? What was there to remember?”

Why would he remember me? Maybe I had a good following on social media and dated a football player for a while, but I’m not popular.

He shoves his hands into his dark jeans pockets and steps closer, a wide smile forming on his lips. “It’s kind of hard to forget someone falling face flat in front of you.”

“Right,” I say, my cheeks growing warm with embarrassment.

“Anyway,” he says, his dark eyes sweeping over me. “There’s a party tomorrow night if you’d like to come.”

“Why?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

He cocks his head slightly to the side. “I don’t know. A random invite, I guess. It’s at a nightclub called Éclipse. You can bring anyone along.”

“I don’t know,” I say, trying to focus on Hudson, but I can see a tall, familiar frame with dirty blonde approaching.Ryan.He’s just behind Hudson, heading in our direction. “I’m sure you can get someone else to come.”

“Parker!” Ryan calls out.

“Oh crap,” I mutter under my breath and Hudson turns around just as Ryan reaches us.

“What do you want?” I ask, annoyance lacing my voice.

Ryan frowns at Hudson, already sizing him up as he speaks to me. “I wanted to talk.”

“And I told you it’s over.”

Ryan doesn’t say anything, as he continues to stare at Hudson and I gaze up at Hudson to see him staring right back. His face is blank as he watches Ryan.

They’re both tall, with Hudson just a few inches taller and they both look like they’re having some silent “Alpha Male” stand-off, chests puffed out and all.

“Moving on already?” Ryan asks sardonically.

A muscle in Hudson’s jaw twitches and I decide to step in to diffuse the tension in the air.