Seducing Texas (So not Prince Charming #2)(55)

I bite back the tears sticking in my throat. At first, the shock of killing overwhelmed me. I couldn’t think. There was no feeling, but today, I felt sick all day. Everywhere I looked I saw glimpses of blood—on the computer monitor, in the lunchroom, and in the restroom. It’s driving me crazy.

I tap my toe. They’re late. I’d texted Aedan earlier not to bother picking me up. Something has Cyn and Shane scared and it’s no longer Manny.

I check my phone for the third time and worry drops into my stomach like a plane going down. I send Cyn a text, and her reply says they’re on their way in a few minutes. I’m the last person outside waiting, it makes me uncomfortable, and my backpack full of books hurts my shoulder.

Manny is dead. Who else would harm us now?

A black Escalade sits across the street and has been there ever since I got out of school. Cyn told me an Escalade tried to run her over. I seriously doubt it’s Manny’s wife. She’s probably in South America or Europe by now.

The tinted windows hide whoever is inside. Nervousness of being alone chills me to the bone. At least, the soccer team practices on the field, but that’s behind the school. They’re too far away to make a difference.

Aedan drives up in his truck, and my heart pounds so loud it drowns out the world. My nerves set on fire and my fears and worries over the drug lords take a backseat.

That dimpled smile warms me and curls my toes in my sandals and puts me at ease. “Can I give you a lift, pretty lass? I don’t take rejection very well as you can see.”

I nod and quickly text Cyn to let her know I no longer need a ride. I don’t want to stay here, and I text that an Escalade is sitting across the street from me.

“Please go home and wait for us,” she texts back. “We’re going for dinner.”

I text, “Maybe. Aedan’s with me.” I would love to go out, but I have a ton of homework.

“Dinner?” he asks.

“How did you know where I went to school?” Everything makes me nervous.

“It was on your application you filled out for the TV show. Hungry?”

“I have too much homework, but Cyn and Shane went out for dinner. I don’t want to be alone in the house, not after what’s happened in there.” I shiver. When will I be myself again?

He gives me a devilish grin. “I would love to spend the night.”

I shove his shoulder, feeling the hard muscle underneath. “I didn’t ask that. Why did the studio give you back your job?”

He shrugs and drives off. “I don’t know. Seems strange. They told me to not date you until the project was done and hired me back.”

I scoot close to him to absorb this man’s body heat and feel his body next to mine. “And you listen so well?”

As we pull away, the Escalade drives off in the opposite direction. I text Cyn to let her know. How does anyone get away with driving without license plates? It looked like there was a tag taped to the rear window, but it can’t be read through the dark windows.

I shudder. “Don’t you worry about being with a girl who knows drug lords and is being followed?”

“Yes, but good sense is thrown out the window when you have a pretty lass controlling your mind and important parts of your body.”

Blushing, I grin. That’s about the dirtiest thing I’ve ever heard, except when Shane talks to Cyn in the bedroom. The walls are thin. He has quite the filthy mouth, but it’s kind of hot. She’s told me he’s amazing in bed. What is Aedan like in bed? Will he be attentive? Will he love me or use me?

“While you do your schoolwork, I will research and work on funding my documentary on Texas border towns dealing with undocumented immigrants.”

“That’s a touchy subject but admirable if you can show both sides of the issue.”

His arm rests on my shoulders. “That’s my plan.”

“You are brave.” I’ve never really had time for a boyfriend, and I look forward to spending quiet time with Aedan. I’ve always focused on school and never really thought I could compete with Cyn and Fay. “What do you want for dinner?”

“Well, I know this great Irish Pub that will deliver. I’ll order bangers and mash and shepherd’s pie.”

“I’ve never had either,” I say nervously. What if I don’t like it? I want to make a good impression on him.

“You’ll love it.”

When he parks in the driveway, he rushes to get out and open my door. I anxiously scan the area. I’ve been kidnapped and our home has been ransacked. Unease settles into my chest.

Manny is dead. I killed him, and it stabs my heart.

Aedan must notice because his hands run down my bare arms, and all I can think about is his weight pressing me into the bed. It’s like he’s taken hold of my good sense and unraveled it, so I’m left scooping it up and sewing it back together.

Inside, I study while he works. I glance up at the clock. An hour has passed, and my eyes are stuck on the same page. I can’t think with him being so close, especially when my mind roams all over his body and imagines his mouth all over mine.

After the carryout arrives, we eat and the food is really good, though I think it’s Aedan. His hand wanders up my thigh throughout the meal. I don’t want to study. I want to feel his hands all over my body. He needs to make me forget what I’ve done. What I had to do.