Playing With Fire (Guarded Hearts) Read Online Free Page B

Carter James want anything from me? Chris is probably right, he just wants to use me and then throw me away. No matter how much I try to convince myself of this, though, there's still a little part of me hoping that he wants something more.
    "Hey, Mads?"
    Mads? There goes another nickname and, truthfully, I don't mind that one either. "Yeah?"
    "Just so you know, if you're not ready to make a decision yet, what he doesn't know won't hurt you."
    "What do you mean?"
    "Chris, what he doesn't know won't piss him off. So do what you want."
    Nicole may have just given me the best, and the worst, advice ever.
     
    *  *  *
     
    When I walked into class Friday morning, there was an open seat next to Carter so I went over and sat down next to him. He looked at me like he was confused. Shit, did he not want me to sit here? I was contemplating moving seats when he gave me one of those smiles and I knew I made the right choice.
    If I was going to do this, I had to do it before I chickened out. I ripped a piece of notebook paper out and scribbled a note down on it.
    Remember how you said you worked as a spy? I enjoyed our night together the other night and I like being around you. I'd like to do it more often , if you can keep it a secret.
    I passed it to Carter the way I used to watch all the girls do it in high school.
    He opened it cautiously, then smiled. He wrote something back and passed it to me. I opened it up and exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding.
    Are you suggesting that we sneak around? Cause if you are , I'm in.
    When I read his reply, I smiled so hard that my face hurt. When I turned to look at Carter, I could tell that he'd been watching me and I felt that blush he always caused creep up.
    When class was over, he waited for me and we walked to our next one together. "So, why the sudden change of heart?"
    "I don't know. I like talking to you and I had fun the other night. However, Chris doesn't want me hanging out with you, and I thought that what he doesn't know won't hurt him." Or me. I thought. "But only if that's okay with you, and I understand if it isn't."
    "Hey, listen, I'll take what I can get here."
     
     
    Carter
     
    The fact that Maddy wanted to spend time with me, even if it was in secret, made me so happy. I loved just being able to be around her and I had a feeling she felt the same. I didn't understand why she didn't just leave him if she wasn't happy. I still had a feeling that he was doing something shady. Maybe if we got close enough, she'd tell me.
    We talked and joked around all morning, but split up at lunchtime because she was meeting Chris. When I walked into my next class, I saw her roommate. I think her name was Nicole. Actually, I think she went to high school with me, but was a year behind me.
    I hoped she wasn't telling Maddy about my high school days. I was not exactly proud of them. She looked up, saw me, and waved me over to the empty seat next to her.
    "So listen, I just wanted to-"
    Just then the professor decided to start class which cut off whatever she was trying to tell me.
    She passed me a note and her cell phone with it. What was it with these girls and passing notes today? I looked at her phone. It was open to the contacts and there was my name...with the number slot blank. She was trying to get my number? I thought she called me over to talk about Maddy. I started handing her back the stuff and she shook her head and mouthed, "Read the note."
    I need to talk to you about Mads . Put your number in.
    I put my number in her phone and gave it back to her. Not even a minute later, my phone started buzzing.
    Nicole: First, conceited much? I don't have any interest in you. Second, don't give up on her. She will come around ;-)
    Me: What do you mean?
    Nicole: Mads , whether she wants to admit it or not, she's starting to fall for you . I can tell.
    Me: But what about Chris?
    Nicole: Don't get me started on that asshole.
    Me: What's going on? I know something isn't right.
    Nicole: