Wanted Read Online Free Page B

my protector ever since.
    I looked around Matt’s broad back. Conor’s wide-eyed gaze found mine. “I am so sorry, Ashlinn. I offended you. I meant you no harm. I was unaware of your past and thought you were giving me the okay.”
    He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. I stepped out from behind Matt, to his side. Matt put an arm around my shoulders, still holding me close. I watched Conor’s gaze slide over the embrace to Matt’s face, before coming back to mine. He had apologized, now he waited for me to say it was okay.
    “I suppose I probably was.” My voice was soft, though not wobbly. “Though I didn’t mean to.” I was pretty calm now, thanks to Matt. And I was almost sure Conor wasn’t going to attack me. I had unknowingly given him the green light, forgetting he wasn’t just a normal boy, and this wasn’t just a normal party. I liked him so much, I had sent him signals that probably seemed the same as “Bite me!”
    “Sorry I threw you across the room.” I did feel bad. I hadn’t meant to hurt him.
    Matt looked at me as Conor smiled slightly. “I deserved it.” Some of the confidence returned to his voice. “It was quite impressive.”
    “You did that?” Matt sounded surprised and a little proud. “Your power?”
    I nodded. “I guess the panic took over. I reacted without thinking. And there he was, flying, crashing.” I gestured from where I’d read the poem to the pile of books on the floor.
    Matt’s smile was big and genuine. “That is awesome, Ash.” He gave my shoulder a small squeeze.
    Conor took a step toward us. I didn’t flinch. I knew he meant me no harm. If he had bitten me, my mind knew it would have felt amazing, completely opposite of how it had felt the last time I was bitten. Although, it would still have been against my will, without permission, and that was rape. No one was going to bite me again, ever. Even Conor. I didn’t want to be under anyone’s control but my own.
    “You’re very powerful,” Conor observed.
    I shrugged. “I guess.”
    Sometimes, when I performed spells, I had surges of power, though more frequently I had those small bouts fueled by emotions, like what had happened at school days earlier. Yet, I couldn’t control it well enough to make things like books fly when I wanted them to.
    I was vaguely aware of Matt’s arm still around me. Conor, however, seemed well aware.
    “Matthew,” He pointedly looked at Matt’s arm. “I would rethink your opinion that she is not yours.” Matt let go of me, a derisive sound coming from his throat.
    “She’s one of my best friends. I’m protective. Ever since I found her practically dead,” Matt protested. “Besides, you know she’s obsessed with you.”
    My head snapped to Matt.
    “Matt!” I screeched.
    He didn’t look at me. My face flushed with heat.
    Conor crossed his arms, face neutral. “So you said. Which is why I thought I was in the right.”
    My jaw dropped. “You told him?”
    Matt frowned, but offered no excuses. My whole body was now on fire, a fine trembling beginning in my hands. I was both mortified and pissed as hell. A few books fell off shelves across the room, though, thankfully, no flying objects yet. The boys didn’t notice.
    Goddess, what an idiot. It was all a set-up, a joke. The hallway at school, the freaking poetry. And oh, that kiss.
    Conor knew I liked him and was playing me so I would let him bite me. He’d been using me to get what he wanted.
    Realization washed over me quickly, leaving me nauseated. And Matt had helped him, he had told Conor I liked him, made Conor think I would let him bite me. I felt so stupid, so betrayed, so naïve. I stepped away from my best friend, shaking. Glancing across the room, I noticed with relief the books had quieted.
    “Wow,” I croaked, backing toward the door.
    Matt had lied to me. To me . He had never lied to me, ever.
    He didn’t look at me. He knew I was pissed and there was nothing he could say right now. Hanging