32

Avery’s pov

Xade stumbles back, as if my words had hit him so brutally, speared him right through his heart. I regret them instantly, my eyes softening along with my voice.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean.” I took in a shaky breath, ripping my gaze from his. The last thing I want is to hurt him. All this had been my fault and I’m st*pid for thinking this could really work between us.

I’m just ruining our friendship for something that we don’t know will last. What if this is just an infatuation because I sle th him? What

if this burns out for him? I rather only be his friend an risk 1

him forever.

“It’s time to face the truth Xade.” I pointed between us, keeping my voice calm. “This. Us. You’re out of my league and I can’t be what you want. This is risking our friendship Xade.”

It hurts to even say that we can’t be and it hurts even more when I know it’s the truth.

Xade shook his head, taking a step forward. “You’re wrong Avery,” I can’t move away, not when his eyes have pinned me where I stood. My skin buzzes and my throat runs dry. I love when he looks at me like that, with longing and desperation.

His eyes are intense and making me breathless by the second. “You’re everything I need,” he stressed out on all the words, his gaze burning into mine. My breath hitches when his palm press against the middle of my back, right on my spine. Fire.

0.001

I shivered

Xade.” I said breathlessly, the word barely more than a gasp of air. Being in his arms makes me not think clearly. I needed- I needed to think. “I’m going back to my dorm.” I tried to step out of his arms but he won’t let me.

His brows are drown into a frown, his eyes deep with frustration. “I’m so tired of you running away from this V.” I let out a surprised squeal when I am suddenly thrown over his shoulder and now face to face with his very s*xy bottom.

de!” I practically yelled, my head swinging from side to side as he alked to God knows where.” What the hell?”

I let out a shrill gasp when I felt the impact of his palm right on my left a*s cheek. It stings and feels…good. Very good. “I’ Where you belong is beside me and not far away.”

ing you to bed

My heart thrums in my chest. “Put me down!” I demanded and earned another smack on my a*s, this time on the right. Both stung from his brutality and I am embarrassed to admit it made a very delicate part of me tingle. Right between my legs. I am already growing so wet.

It’s like he knows too, because his hold grows more firm and a sound so feral comes out of his throat. “I will, on my bed,” he growled, squeezing one of my cheeks and I bit my lip.

“Do I even want to know what’s going on?” Xaden’s voice made me squirm with mortification. Great. Now I’ll never live this down.

Xaden.” Xade hissed.

Okay okay, just keep it down. I’m trying to catch some sleep.” Xaden snorted and I heard the sound of the door closing, indicating that he had stepped into his room. Xade kicks the door shut behind us when he enters the room and in seconds I am thrown on his bed.

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I glared at him as I bounced on the mattress. Despite being a bit frustrated with him, I also felt that buzz of excitement which further irritated me more.” You’re unbelievable.” I puffed out.

“Yes, unbelievably in love with you and I am trying to figure out what it will take for you to see that.” His voice held so much emotion and the way his eyes searched mine, seeking for something I was afraid to show him.

I swallowed, looking away. “Xade, what you feel right now is lust. This will fizzle out just like all your other relationships have. Please, let us not ruin our friendship like this,” I want him, there’s no

mistaking I want this. But I have a good head on my shoulders to know that it’s impossible for us to work.

And maybe, I just feared that if were to not work, we! never go back. to how things were between us. I wasn’t sure if I w d to ris! friendship. I’d rather have him as a friend than as nothing at all.

He was my lifeline.

My words seem to have made him angry, his eyes grow hard, and a muscle ticks in his jaw. “Lust,” he spat the word out, his blue eyes storming.

“I know what lust is Avery and this, he pointed between us both. ” This is not that feeble feeling, it’s more than that, it is raw and real. It’s something I won’t ever find with someone else.”