rearview mirror. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” Thomas and Rosalyn were waiting on the front steps when Officer Trip pulled into the circular drive.
Ignoring Rosalyn’s puffy eyes and Thomas’s tight jaw, I slipped inside while Officer Trip had them distracted.
I only made it halfway up the stairs before Ever appeared at the landing, wearing the same clothes from earlier but with his shirt mercifully buttoned. For a moment, he didn’t move, and neither did I, but then he blinked, and the threat was there. He descended the stairs, and I had a hunch he wanted to push me down them. I carefully backed down, but he kept coming, his eyes only for me. A single step was all that separated us when his father appeared and ordered us into the family room. Ever simply shifted and kept going as if nothing had happened.
“Why did you leave this house?” Thomas questioned when everyone except Ever was seated.
“I didn’t know I was a prisoner.”
“You’re free to come and go, but you should be reachable at all times, and curfew is midnight during the summer and weekends.”
I nodded and hoped that would be the end of his interrogation. I wouldn’t give that prick leaning against the wall the satisfaction of admitting he’d been the reason I ran.
“Why did you leave?” Rosalyn demanded.
“I just needed some air.” Behind the couple, a mocking smirk appeared.
“Ever says you ran out of here crying,” Thomas pointed out.
“I…” I dug my fingers into the cushion to keep from scratching Ever’s eyes out. There was no way I could correct them without admitting that I attacked his precious prince. “I’m still adjusting.” Saddle up, McNamara. I’m staying. And because I couldn’t keep my eyes off him, I saw Ever’s smile spread as if he’d read my mind and was hungry for the challenge.
Thomas cleared his throat, stealing back my attention. “Yes, well, we take responsibility for tonight. We shouldn’t have left you alone your first night in a new home. I didn’t consider your point of view.”
“And what exactly is my point of view, Thomas?”
His gaze narrowed thoughtfully. “That you’d give anything—absolutely anything—to be back in Cherry.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his hard thighs. “I know it’s hard leaving home, but understand this…running away will not be tolerated.”
I felt my lip curl. “Is that a threat?”
Rosalyn extended her hand, but I moved away before she could touch me. She was clearly on his side.
“It’s a very serious warning, Four. Your mother and I are trying to do what’s best. Try with us.”
Rosalyn was back to gnawing her lip again, a wordless plea for me to heed Thomas’s warning—for her sake, not mine. Never mine. I could already feel myself capitulating.
“May I be excused?”
They gave their nod of approval, but I faltered when I realized I’d have to pass Ever. It wasn’t like he’d pounce in front of his father, so with my head held high, I left the family room. It wasn’t until he spoke that I realized he’d followed me. I whirled around on the stairs to face him. With our parents out of the way, nothing was keeping either of us on our leashes.
“What did you say?”
“Your smell has a habit of lingering after you’re gone.”
Mortification had me hurrying up the stairs again. Sure, I’d worked up a sweat, but I didn’t think it had been offensive. Drake definitely didn’t seem to mind, although he had been high out of his mind. I could feel him on my heels as I rushed down the hall. He didn’t speak again until I reached my door.
“I thought maybe Mrs. Greene was trying out a new air freshener.”
I’d turned to face him when the epiphany came swift and hard. He knows I was in his room. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He crowded me until he trapped me against the door and only a finger of space remained between us. I could hardly draw my next breath as his own breezed over my skin.
“Yes, you do.”
I watched as he leaned forward just the tiniest bit and…inhaled. The sudden hum between my thighs and stirring in my stomach alarmed me. I looked away to hide my reaction and didn’t move until I heard the soft snick of his bedroom door closing. Not wasting time, I threw open my own door and rushed inside. It felt good to breathe again.
I stood frozen as I listened to him move