Take Me Now by Faith Sullivan Read Free Book Online Page A

cleft palate who was a bit of an outcast. He knew she was a friend of mine, but he was going to do it anyway just to make Jeremy look bad in my eyes.
    He proceeded gradually with something rather trivial, like making fun of her large hoop earrings. No one ever said he wasn’t funny, and he soon had Jeremy cracking up with his comments. They seemed harmless enough until he launched an attack that was downright ugly. Talking about how he would never do her and what she must look like naked, he goaded Jeremy into continuing this train of thought even though he was hesitant to go there at first. But nothing gets a teenage boy going like talking about sex, and soon they were imagining these elicit scenarios with her that frankly turned my stomach. When the bell rang, they scooped up their books and walked out the door together, still discussing if they would take her from behind if they didn’t have to see her face.
    After that, I trudged to my locker on autopilot, not even aware of my surroundings. Was Jeremy really that much of a jerk or did Will just bring it out in him? It made me sick to think that the first guy who was into me in like forever was so easily corrupted by Will’s influence. Why did he have to go to such lengths to show me that most guys are insensitive to a girl’s feelings? What the hell was he trying to prove—that just because he didn’t value me, no one else would either? Well, point taken because I didn’t date anyone for the remainder of high school. He held that much influence over me.
    And now, just when I thought I was free of him, he’s back, once again pulling the strings and manipulating every situation. But I’m older and wiser now. I’m not going to stand for any of his bullshit. Damn it, I’m twenty-one years old and he’s not going to make me feel like I’m in the fifth grade all over again. Enough is enough.
    Abruptly, I stand, shaking the table and causing a fork to fall to the ground. I stoop to pick it up and that’s when he casually walks through the door. I’m so worked up that I want to rush over and start smacking him. He takes off his aviator sunglasses and tucks them into the front pocket of his heather gray polo shirt. He turns more than a few heads as he approaches my table in his skintight black jeans and combat boots. It’s ridiculous how much he looks like a movie star. I’m surprised the paparazzi aren’t jumping out from behind the counter to take his picture.
    My resolve starts to crumble when he takes my hand and kisses it. Despite my better judgment, my anger melts away when I feel his lips brush my skin. My face is on fire as nearly every woman in the place shoots a jealous glance in my direction. I can feel them giving me the once-over. Like what’s so special about that bitch that a guy like that would be falling all over her? Just one action from him and my negative train of thought is already on the repeat cycle in my head. He always causes me to doubt myself, but having his undivided attention always weakens my defenses against him. He knows how to win me over even if he doesn’t want to hold on to me.
    “Sorry I’m late, Ivy. I was on a conference call with the distributors at Paramount. You know how that can be.” He motions for the waitress and releases my hand in one swift movement.
    “So how’s your line-up coming?” I don’t even bother to stand up for myself and press him that, even though he knew he was going to be late, he didn’t text me. He has my number. There’s no excuse. It’s just another example of his bad behavior. At this point, I just want to conduct the interview and get back to the office. It’s pretty pathetic that I’m choosing Lauren’s nonsense over his.
    “All of the deals are almost in place. These films are going to blow people’s minds.” It’s like we’re at a big Hollywood power lunch instead of some sleepy little town with a one screen theater.
    “Are you excited about the gala? Any hints on what the