was Derek Thorne's son, but that little nugget of go

er that first whisper made its

was buzzing about how the tall, mysterious new kid was actuall

caught so much as a whiff of Chase's newly-minted status as eligible bil

et False Start she laid on him t

ng her eyelashes and sticking out her surgica

aby-talk that made my skin crawl. "I simply must get to

even bat an eyelash at the blatant ego-s

been reading and looked up at her wit

hould impact whether or not I'm consider

used disdain underpinning his words, how

vapid flirtation and transparent ambiti

ed rebuke, her mouth opening and clo

oor deluded harpy had ever encountered someone completely immun

just standing there like an idiot and obser

us slits as she registered my clo

e a look of pure venom. "I'd be careful if I were you, Chase - who knows wha

e," Chase smoothly interjected befo

thered crowd of onlookers as Brittany

ehind her heavily made-up eyes as she rapidly

e deceptively light - almost playful, even. "Unlike others who seem intent

rds, he slid off the bench an

through my ribcage as he caught my gaze and h

reddened cheek with the tenderest caress of his fingertips. "Truths th

t was happening, Chase leaned i

electric shock of that intima

hear Brittany's petulant shriek an

haos seemed to bleed a

blend of Chase's rich, earthy scent and the molten imp

, though he remained close enough that I could still

ldered down at me, twin smol

ed, the words dripping like warm honey from his lips. "Remember that wh

me standing there reeling and rooted to the spot whil

ute by the audacious spectacle, her mouth w

he ominous weight of what had tra

s open defiance and humiliation slide - especially

grating, nasal sneer as I made my way to my seat. "Hollywood's newest

ucous laughter and hoots, leering at

d, carefully avoiding eye contact

condescending tone she knew grated on every last nerve. "Too good to

cking laughter fo

eathing in and out as I tried t

y. Don't give the

d across the side of my face,

andishing a balled-up piece of

t resentment as she smirked

horne that easily," she simpered, her lips curling in a cruel sneer. "Maybe you'v

l struck its mark, exploding

nted hyenas, practically choking on th

xpression twisting into a sadist

's no way in hell I'm letting you outshine me at this showcase, you understand? Over my dea

ous, stinging waves as the taunting jeers reached deafening levels. I

t seemed as though

weight of their gleefully sadistic torment, a thunderous bellow c

OUG

d off the walls, dousing the fevere

Mrs. Wilson, the study hall mo

hed into a rictus of smoldering outrage as s

ame trembling with incandescent fury. "You and your little coterie will be reporting directly to the principal's of