Hooked: A Dark, Contemporary Romance (Never After #1)(21)

“I mean... everything. Like, the move and stuff? You okay?”

He shrugs. “I’m fine. Prefer it this way, actually. If I could stay here in this house forever and never leave again, it would be too soon.”

Guilt weaves its way through me, wrapping tightly until it bursts. Maybe there’s still time to talk Dad out of this stupid boarding school idea. But then again, how healthy can it really be for a kid his age to stay holed up in a house all day with only his big sister for company?

He rubs his nose. “Seriously, Wendy. I’m fine. You worry too much.”

I grin. “Someone’s got to.”

“Go enjoy your date.” He waves me off.

I chew on the inside of my cheek, my fingers twisting in my lap. “Maybe I could cancel and we could hang out instead?”

Jon’s gaze finally leaves his airplane, his eyes wide as he stares at me.

I huff out a breath. “Fine, you don’t have to look so mortified by the thought.”

He smiles at that, the dimples in his cheeks making my heart ache from how identical they are to our mother’s.

“Alright then. I’ll see you later, I guess.” I stand up to leave.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

My eyes narrow. “You don’t do anything.”

He chuckles. “Exactly.”

For half a second, I think about canceling with James anyway. He’s intimidating—all-consuming in the type of way that makes your insides quake and your mind go muddy. But even as the thought crosses my mind, I toss it to the side, knowing I won’t.

James’s attention is an ember, flickering through my middle and lighting up everything in its path. And in the darkest parts of my mind, I hope that if my dad hears I’m gallivanting around with a man like James—one who’s a little bit older and a lot of bit powerful—if he’ll finally come home.

My anxiety rises like a storm surge on the way to the coffee shop. I walk toward the front door, my clammy hands skimming down the front of my dress, breathing deep to calm my nerves.

What was I thinking saying yes to this?

I got here a little early specifically, so I’d have some time, but when I walk inside he’s already here, chatting with Angie like they’re old friends, his suit cut perfectly to his frame. Idly, I wonder what he’d look like in jeans or an old, stained shirt. It seems like he’s never anything less than perfectly put together.

My gaze flicks around the shop. It’s busy tonight, and James hasn’t noticed that I’m here yet. My heart slams against my ribs. Walking toward him feels like diving in the deep end without knowing how to swim, but it doesn’t make my steps falter. If anything, I pick up the pace, an odd sense of excitement making me want to find out how far down the water goes.

Angie sees me first, her eyes sparkling as she takes me in. “Hey, girl, look who’s here. Tall, dark, and handsome showed up early.”

James turns toward me and, like a power surge, my body sparks, the electricity from his stare making my hair stand on end.

“Hi.” I smile.

He straightens and moves toward me, close enough to dust a kiss across my cheek. I suck in a breath, the heat of his body sending a shiver down my side. His fingertips trail down my arm as he backs up, and his stare is heavy, stripping me naked with a simple look. A heady sensation grows deep in my belly and settles between my legs.

“Beautiful,” he says.

It’s one word, but it caresses me like velvet, my insides purring at his approval.

“You too.”

He smirks. “You think I’m beautiful?”

His tone is playful, and it ignites that same foreign fire from the first night we met, when I wondered what it would feel like to be a different type of Wendy.

My eyebrow quirks. “What, you think a man can’t have beauty?”

“A man can have many things, darling.” He steps in closer. “But the only beauty I hope to have tonight is yours.”

My stomach flips, butterflies bursting like a cannon. “Your mouth should be illegal,” I mutter. “So… where are you taking me?”

Angie laughs. “Who cares where he’s taking you, girl? Just go.” She makes a shooing motion with her hands.

James glances her way before resting his palm on my lower back. “She’s right, you know. You should relax, let me wine and dine you properly.” He leans in, his lips skimming the top of my ear. “And if you’re a good girl, maybe I’ll show you the real reason why my mouth should be illegal.”

Heat floods my body, swirling through my insides and pulsing between my legs. I huff out a surprised breath, my fingers pushing against his chest. “That’s extremely presumptuous.”

His eyes sparkle, his hand never leaving my back as he moves me toward the door. “Just letting you know what’s on the menu.”

He leads me outside to a blacked-out Audi. My hand reaches to grasp the handle, but before I can, he’s there, opening the door and helping me in.

My heart skips. Such a simple gesture, but one that makes me feel special. Taken care of.

“I feel like I should be offended,” I say as he slides into the driver’s seat.

He grins, starting the car but leaving it idle as he twists to look at me. “Why?”

“You just told me to be a good girl, and you’d… you know.”