The Enemy - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,53

full of her hair, pulling her head back and forcing her to watch Bryce. “Imagine me doing that to you. Fucking that tight little hole of yours until you cum all over my cock.”

She struggles against me like my words aren't wanted, but the way her breathing changes gives her away. I use my body to keep her in place and slide my hand down her side. When I reach between her legs, I apply the slightest bit of pressure on her clit. Even with her jeans in the way, her breath hitches.

“Keep fighting, baby,” I breathe. “It only makes me harder.”

An elbow flies back and gets me right in the stomach, damn near knocking the wind out of me. I release Lennon and take a step back. As she spins around, she pushes me back against the wall.

“Is that what you like? You get off on making people feel like shit?” A small hand slaps me across the face. “Don't ever fucking touch me without my permission again.”

She marches away and toward her room, while I'm left with a stinging cheek, bruised ego, and massive hard-on. I might not have the upper hand when it comes to Lennon Bradwell, and that could be a major fucking problem.

IT'S WELL PAST ELEVEN by the time I wake up. I rub my hands over my face and adjust to the light before getting out of bed. The swells today are supposed to be perfect, but first, I need to talk to Lennon.

I go downstairs first, knowing she's probably been awake for a while now. However, the living room, kitchen, and dance studio are all empty. I go back up and check her room. There's no sign of her, and her bed is still perfectly made.

Jogging back to get my phone, I send her a text.

Cade: Where are you?

When I see the three little dots, indicating she's typing, the relief that runs through me is alarming, but I do my best to ignore it. Now isn't the time for feelings and honest revelations.

My phone vibrates in my hand, and her message appears.

Lennon: Colby's. Leave me alone.

Son of a bitch.

17

LENNON

I can't believe the audacity of that asshole. More so, I can't believe the way my body responded to him. I’d gone upstairs to leave something in Cade's room—something he could read later—and instead, I found Bryce. No part of me meant to stare, but I couldn't look away. It's like I was stuck. Couldn’t move.

Cade's words echo in my mind. The way he spoke those dirty words, with his voice all gravely and seductive, I was so close to falling for it. It's like my body was struggling against him, but my subconscious wanted it. Wanted him. Then I remembered everything else.

After we kissed the other day, a part of me wondered if I had imagined it. I thought maybe I had a concussion from getting hit in the head, but the feeling of his kiss lasted long after it was gone. The way he avoided me like the damn plague told me all I needed to know. He regretted it.

Don't get me wrong, I did too—kind of. Cade is a prick—the worst kind of asshole with a bad attitude—but there's something about his broody, pissed-at-the-world demeanor that draws me to him. I can't explain it. All I know is that every time I'm around him, I'm taken over by thoughts of what it would be like to touch him. What it would be like if he touched me.

Colby comes in the room, popping open a beer and snapping me out of my thoughts. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

I shake my head. "You didn't."

"Lennon, you jumped like three feet."

Sighing, I shut off my e-reader and put it on the couch next to me. "Fine, you win."

He grins triumphantly. "I always do."

"Yeah, yeah." I wave him off.

"So, talk to me. What's got you so distracted? And don't tell me that book. You’ve been on the same page for at least ten minutes."

I groan and run my fingers through my hair. "Fucking Cade."

He snorts. "Fucking the faux-bro. Nice."

"Not what I meant." Or at least not yet, anyway.

Colby takes a sip of his beer and puts it on the coffee table. "Okay, okay. What about him?"

"He's just so, ugh! One minute he's somewhat tolerable, and the next he's a total douchebag."

He shrugs. "Maybe he just likes you."

My eyes narrow. "Or maybe he's satanic and determined to ruin my life."

"Could be that, too."

I lay my head