Beastly (The Ever After Collection) by Noelle Marie Read Free Book Online

frowned. “So… what are you doing here then?”
    Heath narrowed his eyes at her. “What? Am I not allowed?” he quipped sarcastically.
    Emma’s eyes widened as she realized her question could be taken as an insult. “No! I mean… yes, of course you’re allowed. You have as much right to be here as anyone. I… I just didn’t think… you don’t seem like,” she gestured vaguely at the house jam-packed full of kids behind them, “the partying type,” she finally finished lamely.
    What with the complete lack of socializing he did at school.
    Heath shrugged. “I’m not, but Maribeth and those two twittering idiots, Bambi and Flower,” Emma could tell by the face he made as his mouth formed their names that he felt as stupid saying them as she always did, “invited me.”
    “Oh.” Emma was surprised and maybe just a little bit hurt that he was at the party because Maribeth of all people had talked him into it. Judging by his actions at school, she hadn’t thought that he liked her. Or, you know… anyone.
    Emma cleared her throat. “Well, where are they then? If you only came because Maribeth and her posse invited you, then shouldn’t you be hanging out with them?” She hoped that didn’t sound nearly as accusatory out loud as it did in her head.
    Heath rolled his eyes, crossing his arms defensively across his chest. “I didn’t say that was why I came; it was just how I knew about the ridiculous party.”
    Emma frowned. “Well, why did you come then?” If he thought the party was “ridiculous”, didn’t drink, and had the whole socializing issue…
    “I thought you might be here.”
    Heath’s words were muttered so softly that Emma wasn’t sure if he’d actually said them or if she’d somehow imagined them by sheer force of will.
    Not that, you know, she willed he’d say anything like that, of course.
    “Sorry, what?”
    He glared at her. “You heard me,” he accused.
    “Well, yeah,” Emma agreed, a bit flustered at being called out so easily, “but I thought… I mean, why would you…?” she trialed off.
    Why would he be looking for her?
    Despite her general curiosity about Heath and, okay , physical attraction to the man-boy, their past interactions had been… tense at best. Even though he’d probably talked more to her than he had to anybody else at school, she hadn’t been lying when she said she was convinced that he didn’t like anyone. Including her.
    Heath huffed in annoyance. “I just wanted to apologize for the other day.”
    Emma’s stomach tightened. “Oh? Well… I got your flower,” she pointed out awkwardly.
    “Yes, I know,” Heath grit out between clenched teeth, “but I still felt… bad,” he admitted like he was honestly flabbergasted by it. “I mean, you were crying. I didn’t mean to… it’s just…” A fidgety hand swept through his hair, pulling at the caramel colored strands there in frustration. “This is so stupid!”
    Emma blinked in surprise, tentatively reaching forward and grabbing the distressed hand before it could abuse his disheveled hair even more. Feeling brave for some reason unbeknownst to her she held on and interlaced her fingers with his. “It’s okay.”
    And it was.
    Especially when he looked at her with something resembling awe in his eyes. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and blushing at the rush of pleasure seeing that simple action gave her, she looked down at their entwined hands. Something felt so right about it, but… Emma frowned.
    Even in the dark of the night, she could make out a half dozen scars – small, perfectly round patches of discolored skin, each about the size of a pencil eraser – decorating his hand. “What happened?” Not thinking much of it, she allowed her thumb to brush over the one nearest to it, the one on the fleshy juncture of his thumb and forefinger.
    Heath flinched violently, his face paling as he ripped his hand from hers. “Don’t touch me.”
    Emma immediately retreated a step.