Chapter 57 (1/2)

I nod for him to go on. I have no idea what his question could be, but he’s been such a great friend to me, coming all the way here to comfort me.

“Okay, well . . .” He pauses, drawing out a long breath. “I was wondering what happened between you and Hardin.” He bites down on his bottom lip.

I quickly look away. “I don’t know if we should discuss Hardin, and I . . .”

“I don’t need specifics. I just want to know if it’s really, truly over this time?”

I swallow. It’s hard to say, but I reply, “It is.”

“You’re sure?”

What? I turn back to look at him. “Yes, but I don’t see what—”

I’m cut off by Zed’s lips pressing against mine. His hands move to my hair and his tongue pushes through my closed mouth. I gasp in surprise and he takes that as an invitation to push further and press his body against me, forcing me back against the mattress.

Confused and caught off guard, my body reacts quickly and my hands shove against his chest. He hesitates for a moment, still trying to melt his mouth to mine.

“What are you doing?” I gasp, the moment that he finally lets up.

“What?” His eyes are wide and his lips are swollen from the pressure against mine.

“Why did you do that?” I jump to my feet, completely thrown by his affections, and I’m trying desperately not to overreact.

“What? Kiss you?”

“Yes!” I shout at him before quickly covering my mouth. The last thing I need is my mother coming in.

“You said that you and Hardin were finished! You just said that!” His voice comes out louder than mine, but he makes no move to silence himself the way I did.

Why would he think this is okay? Why would he kiss me?

Instinctively, I cross my arms over my chest, and I realize I’m trying to cover myself up. “That wasn’t an invitation for you to make a move or something! I thought you were here to comfort me as a friend.”