In Ruins: A Dark High School Bully Romance (A Black Falls High Novel Book 1)

I woke up early, sunlight barely shining in through the window, Fox’s naked body curled around mine. My heart hammered in my chest as I realized what we’d done. I didn’t think about anything Mona had said. I didn’t think about Juliet’s ugly words. I didn’t think about Ian.

Needing a glass of water, I gently untangled myself from him, pulled on my robe, and made to go to my bathroom. I nearly stepped on something by my bed and stopped to examine it.

Fox’s phone.

I bent down and picked it up, my heart in my throat. Everything that could ruin me was inside it. If ever there was a chance to save my ass, this was the moment. While my trust for him was growing, I knew that video was the key to my downfall. I glanced over at Fox snoring peacefully in bed and swiped his screen up. I went through his gallery and found the video right away and opened up the options on it.

Delete?

‘What are you doing?’

I jumped as Fox’s arms wound their way around my waist. Lost for words, I stood holding his phone, knowing he caught me.

‘You could delete it, you know.’ His lips skimmed against my jaw. Instinctively, I angled my neck so he could traverse against the sensitive skin. He moved his hands up to cup my breasts over my robe, his breath hot on my neck.

‘You know you want to.’

‘I do,’ I rasped as he gave my breasts a firm squeeze.

‘Then do it already so I can bury myself in you again.’

Hell, yes. I hit the button and watched the video disappear.

‘Mm. Bad girl.’ He nuzzled his face against me once more before turning me around to face him, his lips crashing against mine. My legs wound their way around his waist as he hauled me into his arms. Goosebumps flooded my skin as he laid me on my back in bed.

‘I love how I make that happen.’ His fingers brushed along the exposed skin of my arm where my hairs stood on end. His hand moved from my arm to the tie on my robe. He undid it, opening my robe, letting my breasts spill out. He rolled me over, so I was on top of him and captured my breasts in his hands, his eyes locked on mine.

‘I meant what I said last night, Rosie.’ He thumbed gently over my nipples.

‘What’s that?’ I asked, breathless.

‘That you belong to me. To us.‘ He leaned in and sucked a hard nipple into his mouth, causing me to moan his name. In one fluid movement, he had me back on the bed beside him, his fingers making quick work of finding my center and dipping inside.

Feeling brave and empowered, I reached out and stroked his length, relishing in how hard it got for me.

We were breathing heavily as we pleasured one another, his fingers moving in time with my hand on his manhood. His kisses were deep. Ferocious. Brutal in such a way I knew I needed more.

I tightened around his fingers as I reached my peak, calling out his name as I crashed around him in waves of splendor. He followed a moment later, spilling warmth onto my hand, his moan tingling my tongue.

‘I’ll be right back,’ he murmured against my lips. I watched as he went to the bathroom and returned a moment later with a damp washcloth. He made fast work of cleaning my hand up before tossing the rag into the dirty clothes.

‘I, uh, should go.’

‘What?’ I frowned at him as he pulled his boxers and jeans on. He’d gone from being Mr. Sweetheart to acting weird.

‘Sorry.’ He leaned down and planted a kiss on my lips. ‘I’m supposed to help Dad with the gutters this morning.’

‘Oh. OK.’

‘Don’t worry. We’ll talk later, OK?’ He pulled his t-shirt over his head. ‘I’ll make you dinner. Your favorite. Mac and cheese with hot dogs. Ketchup on the side.’

I chuckled, feeling giddy inside. ‘Fox, we aren’t eight anymore. That meal is gross.’

He grinned at me. I hadn’t seen him look that happy in years. My heart lit up at his joy. ‘Fine. Hold the hot dog. My hot dog.’ He winked at me, causing me to snort. This Fox was nothing like the Fox I’d been introduced to over the past few weeks. This Fox was playful and sweet. Why the hell had he been hiding him for so long? He was even happier now than he was the past week.

‘Deal.’ I grinned back at him, angling my head up so he could kiss me again. He did so without hesitation.

‘Fuck, I don’t want to go.’

‘So don’t.’

‘My old man will have my ass if I’m not there. He’s been bitching about these gutters since July. I’ll make it up to you. We’ll talk. Tonight.’

‘Talk?’

He nodded, his face serious as he pulled away from me. ‘I think we should, Rosie. I have a lot I need to say to you.’

I bit my bottom lip. ‘Is it bad?’

“I don’t know. Guess that depends on your definition of bad. I promised to tell you about what was going on with everything. What we were missing. Figured tonight might be a good time. Besides, we’re making it official, right?’

A smile worked its way onto my lips despite the tremor of worry that coursed through me. I nodded. ‘Yes.’

‘OK. I’ll see you tonight then.’

He pulled away and went to my door. ‘If you open your curtain, you can watch me. Maybe I’ll take my shirt off for you.’

I laughed as he shot me a wink before leaving me alone in my room. For the first time, I felt like maybe we were finally on the right track.

It was a start anyway.