The Naughty List by Suzanne Young Read Free Book Online Page B

My boyfriend looked ecstatic and munched on it like he was a five-year-old at a county fair.
    When Aiden leaned over to whisper in my ear, I had already begun contemplating if I wanted to spend time with the school nurse. I was not fond of the way her floral perfume smelled. I’d rather just sign out and leave, but I wanted a second opinion about my gut. It was highly unusual for me to feel this unwell.
    “You okay?” my boyfriend asked, kissing my cheek. I didn’t look at him.
    “I don’t feel very good right now.”
    His hand immediately went to the small of my back. He brought his fingers to my chin and turned me toward him, looking me over with concern. His green eyes were so sweet. I didn’t know what was going on with me.
    “Let’s blow off the rest of the day. I’ll take you home.” He smiled softly.
    It wasn’t a terrible idea. I only had one more class and then back-to-back study halls. Aiden was fairly caught up in chemistry. I blinked a few times, and his face darkened more.
    “Come on,” he whispered, pulling me up.
    My head was beginning to ache. I felt dizzy, so I held on to Aiden’s arm as I looked at my table. The maroon and gray colors of all the cheer uniforms blended together in a school spirit haze. I got a better grip on Aiden and steadied myself.
    “We’re going to take off,” he said to them. “Tess isn’t feeling well.”
    “You okay?” Christian asked, clearly disappointed at my abrupt departure.
    I just nodded.
    “It was nice meeting you,” Chloe said loudly to Aiden.
    “Uh, yeah ... you too.” I could tell by his pause that he forgot her name. It made me feel a little better.
    After a second, Chloe looked at me and lifted her hand in a sarcastic wave. “Feel better, prez.”
    “Wench,” Leona fake-coughed.
    If I weren’t about to throw up, I might have scolded Leona for her language, but at the moment, I was just happy she noticed. Smitten Kitten code was one thing, but out-and-out rudeness by the new girl was another. Christian saw my unease. He mouthed the words “I’m sorry” before Aiden pulled me away.
    I lowered my glance and felt a strong arm wrap around me as I hugged him. He moved his cold palm to feel my forehead, then widened his eyes.
    “God, Tess. You’re burning up.”
    I stared at him, feeling faint. Something was wrong around here. My Kitten senses were meowing. And I needed to figure out why.
     
    I had a hundred-and-two-degree fever. Really? I hadn’t had a fever in years. This would be silly if it weren’t so uncomfortable. I shifted on my living room couch, digging my toes into the chenille cushions.
    “Are you going to throw up again?” Aiden asked, moving over. His upper lip was curled in disgust, although I knew he was trying to look supportive.
    “No. I think I’m done.”
    “Thank God,” he said under his breath.
    “Don’t tease me. I’m sick.”
    “I’m sorry. You want me to rub your feet?” There was a devilish gleam in his eye as he looked over my body.
    “Stop!” But I laughed. Luckily, the wood-beamed ceiling had stopped spinning after I’d thrown up. Small favors.
    “What?” He leaned over and picked up my feet, setting them in his lap.
    “Aiden,” I whined, leaning my head back into the couch arm. “I can’t fool around. I’m sick.”
    He rubbed at my heel, pressing firmly in just the right places. “It’s just that your skin is burning hot. It’s kind of turning me on.”
    I giggled but then winced. My head was effing killing me.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, leaning over to give my toes a quick kiss before moving them off of him. He stood up and stretched his arms above his head, giving me a peek at his stomach. I sighed.
    Aiden smiled and then came over to feel my head. “My poor baby,” he murmured, bending down to kiss it tenderly. “Do you want anything before I go to practice?”
    I wanted a healthy body, but I was pretty sure Aiden would only offer his own. “No, thanks,” I answered with my eyes