Promise Me Darkness by Paige Weaver Read Free Book Online Page A

seat beside him.
    His bloodshot eyes glanced over at me. "I’m bored without you here,” he answered, taking a swig of beer.
    I wanted to ask about the text but couldn’t get the words out. I was being a chicken shit (Eva’s words not mine).
    Not sure what to say to him, I glanced at the TV. He was watching the national news. Scenes of soldiers boarding planes played out while a frazzled anchorman reported from a foreign location. In big, bold letters, the words "USA AT WAR" flashed across the bottom of the screen.
    The images reminded me of why Ryder was here — to enlist. The thought made me ill. If the United States was going to war, he would leave faster than I thought. What would I do without him? I took a deep breath, not wanting to think about it anymore.
    “So Ben invited us to a frat party tonight but it looks like you started early,” I said, pointing to all the beer bottles.
    “I can’t be around that shithead.”
    “Well, I’m not going to leave you alone,” I said. “You’re going.”
    He stood up, towering over me. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Maddie. When I’m around you…" He took a deep breath and started over. "Things are getting weird between us. It’s probably best that I stay here.” Without elaborating, he walked away, heading for the bathroom.
    Apparently, I wasn’t the only one confused on what was going on between us. My dad always said that if something was bothering you, don’t ignore it. Deal with it. And that’s what I was going to do. I jumped up and rushed to the closed bathroom door before I could change my mind.
    Water was running in the shower and Ryder was in the process of taking off his shirt when I walked in.
    I swallowed hard. His abs flexed as he dropped his shirt on the floor. The ink on his body was beautiful, there was no other way to describe it. The black designs swirled and disappeared below his wickedly, low–riding jeans. I wanted to reach out and touch them, find out how far down they went. I crossed my arms over my chest instead.
    He put his hands on his hips, unaware of the effect his bare chest had on me.
    “What?” he asked, impatiently.
    I took a step into the small bathroom and leaned my hip against the counter. Steam filled the room, fogging the mirror and swirling around us.
    “What do you mean ’things are getting weird’?”
    He sighed. “Just forget I said anything.”
    “No. We need to talk about it.”
    “We are NOT going to talk about this now. I’ve had too much to drink.”
    “We ARE talking about it!” I argued, putting my hands on my hips. “We’re friends, Ryder, we need to get whatever this is out in the open and deal with it.”
    He rubbed a hand over his face in frustration. “I can’t. There are some things even friends shouldn’t talk about.”
    “Like what?” I asked, annoyed. “Maybe your wonderful attitude?”
    “Don’t push me, Maddie,” he warned in a low voice.
    “Then talk to me!” I shouted, livid.
    He stepped closer, crowding me. “You want to talk? Fine, we’ll talk!”
    I saw the fire burning in his eyes. I saw the tension in his body. What I didn’t see were his next words coming.
    “I want you, Maddie. I want to fuck you. I want you beneath me in bed.”
    What?
    “You happy now? Got the information you wanted?” He scoffed, disgusted. “Hell, you’re not even my type! And you’re a goddamn virgin!” His voice dropped, the anger disappearing. “I know it’s wrong but I want you, Maddie.”
    I was speechless. Say something , my inner voice shouted. Tell him you want him too!
    Placing his hands on either side of me, he trapped me against the bathroom counter. “Years, Maddie," he said, huskily. "I’ve wanted you for years.”
    His lips slammed down on mine.
    Shock had me frozen for a second before his mouth demanded a response. When he forced my lips open, I relented. His tongue ran lightly over my lower lip before delving into my mouth, tasting me. His hands grabbed my