Bad Intentions Read Online Free Page B

keep up.
    This isn’t the time or place. That’s evident.
    Face palm.
    His voice is edgy and impersonal as he speaks. “Like he said, I’m Ryle.”
    Punch to the gut.
    I knew someone as beautiful as him has to have one major flaw. Unfortunately, his is his lack of personality.
    Taylor chimes in, “Don’t be a douche.” He nudges Ryle’s side playfully, which I’m sure is a silent bro gesture-type thing. “Ryle’s not a people person, as you can clearly tell.”
    “So what’s that make you, an alien?” Another lame joke slips past my lips, and I cringe a little on the inside at my lack of filter.
    “I’ll be anything you want me to be, baby.” Taylor interjects with a wink. It doesn’t make me want to hurl, as that sort of lameness usually does. I’ve heard more pick-up lines from immature dudes than I care to admit— after all, I did attend public school. But Taylor’s words don’t make me want to punch him the gonads. I guess because I know he’s joking. It actually puts me at ease, and oddly, I feel comfortable with him even if he’s a horrible flirt.
    Just like Zoe, I think her brother will grow on me. Smiling at him, I silently thank him for coming to my rescue.
    The faint sound of Ryle blowing out an exasperated breath catches my attention. His broad shoulders move as he reaches forward and extends his hand. I can tell, like Taylor, introductions aren’t really his thing, but I reach toward Ryle’s outstretched hand, knowing he’s only doing it because he feels like he has to. My excuse is because I want to touch him. As our hands meet in a warm clasp, an electrifying shudder reverberates through me and causes my body to ignite in flames.
    “Alright let’s roll.” Taylor’s words interrupt the strangest moment I’ve ever experienced. “I’ll pick you up later, Z. Don’t make me wait. And you,” Taylor points in my direction. “Make sure you’re ready, because you’re my arm candy tonight.” With a sly wink, he heads toward the door. Ryle follows suit without as much as a goodbye.
    Figures.

    The thump of Ryle’s heartbeat could be felt all the way in his throat. The steady rhythm beat in a way that made a glare form on his face with each wallop. He knew this feeling all too well. He was familiar with the want and need that an attractive woman made him feel, and pushed it aside brashly, knowing that sex was never just sex.
    Ryle pulled at the collar of the jersey that suddenly felt more like a noose than a simple piece of cloth. The girl in front of him was so damn gorgeous, he couldn’t even fathom how God would do something as cruel as to dangle her in front of him, when he’d rather saw off his left testicle than to subject any woman to his demons.
    As he stood only inches from the dorm room doorway, he debated backing away and jetting. Fleeing the presence of this unpleasant situation was best. Oddly enough, he was able to stand calmly by, while his idiot friend tried to make small talk with his sister’s new bunk-buddy. Ryle knew he was a master at playing it cool, so he simply did what he knew best.
    He craned his neck to the side, straining to make eye contact with someone other than her. He thought that if she wasn’t in his line of vision, he wouldn’t be tempted to look at her. Ryle was dead wrong. The girl was a master temptress. She caught his gaze and didn’t let go. He was captivated by blonde hair that looked a tad distressed and tangled, resting on the top of her head in a loose knot. The way she stared so blatantly at him as if she had no modesty, caught him off-guard. Her stare made him feel exposed and under scrutiny, and that was a feeling that he wasn’t used to.
    Not only did this peculiar exchange cause him to question his willpower, it also reminded him of when he’d last gotten laid. It apparently had been too long, because he couldn’t even recall the last time. He was absolutely famished, but was well aware that it wasn’t food he craved. I’m