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"Yeah, I think you took it one step too far on the last sentence" I stifle a sht want to leave that part out"

He shakes his head "I know fro that the last sentence is the most truthful part of er to rin "Maybe that’s because you were inhaling to es me with a cock of his eyebrow "But just to ht need to have a refresher" He stands up straight and coils a strand offor my reaction

But I have no idea what to say or to so I change the subject "You seriously don’t have to cover for ure out so my hair "I know you didn’t do it"

There are no words to expressti the tip of his pinkie through it, and then pulling it out, before stuffing his hands into his pockets Suddenly he looks nervous "Okay, so I have to ask you so And feel free to be completely honest with me"

"Okay…" I wait for theand he really thinks I’m a killer

"Hypothetically, if I were to ask you on a date, ould you say?" he asks, flicking his tongue ring against his teeth

My heart erupts inhypothetically, I’d say yes"

The corners of hishypothetically"

"Then I’d say, I’d have to think about it" Jesus I’ve been spending way too uys

He reaches for , and before I can react, he extracts my cell phone He punches a few buttons and then leans forward to put it back intoin closer than necessary

He puts his mouth up to my ear "Think about it and let ives a soft suck on the tender spot just belowaway

My lips part as my breath speeds up "Okay"

He winks at azebo "I have to go to work You have rass, enjoying the way hesensation he instills in ht, I head across the park toward the back parking lot of the campus

When I round the corner, I find Raven leaning against the side entrance and a guy with greasy hair and sideburns leaning over her with his hands braced on the wall Her eyes are locked on the guy like she is a love-struck puppy He glances in ht of the X on his eye--the sleazebag fro?" I hurry toward her

Raven’s eyes are red and swollen and her o away"

"You’re not okay" I reach a hand for her "What did he do to you?"

"She’s fine," the sleazebag snarls and slaps et the hell out of here"

"Don’t touch h the stench of his death

Raven wipes her tears aith the collar of her pink shirt "Eo inside Please"

My lare "I will, but you’re co with me"

"You need to butt out of business that doesn’t concern you" The guy prowls forward and shovesthe breath out ofmy balance "So therefore, it is lares at me "Well, if you want, I could rabs ainst the brick wall

His vile death chokes unshot fires and he collapses to the ground

I blink, stunned It’s not the saht

He s, Ember? Are you scared?" He drops his voice as he leans in, his stale breath hot against ers deep into ht?"