Trapped (Bullied Book 4) (Bullied Series) Vera Hollins (best large ereader txt) 📖

eyes had gotten used to the dark, I was able to discern the lines of the empty space. There were no lights, or signs of civilization for that matter, only trees and more trees. I had to remind myself this was Blake I was talking with, but each second spent with him made it easier for me to relax.

“Why did we stop here?”

He took his time responding, looking at the sky. “Have you ever counted stars?”

I tipped my chin down, staring at him with raised eyebrows. Such a strange question. “Yeah, when I was seven or eight. You?”

“Every time I come here.”

“Why?”

“Because it calms me down. It helps me stay grounded.”

I was confounded by yet another unusual choice of words. “Really?”

“Really.”

I half-smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t peg you as someone who would actually do that.”

His expression turned guarded as he met my gaze, and I saw my mistake. He’d just opened up to me, and I’d reacted in a way that could hurt his feelings.

I raised my hands up. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I just thought you were…”

“What?”

I looked around as I searched for the right word. “Invincible.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m human too.”

I fidgeted with my hands. “You didn’t seem human whenever you bullied me.”

His brows dipped into a frown, and he crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes moved over the field. “You and I are both much more than what we thought of each other, Jessica.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but he didn’t.

“Fair enough.”

A cold breeze enveloped us as we fell into silence. He lay down on the hood and put his arms behind his head, gazing at the sky, and I used the opportunity to observe him. His body. His face that I saw in my dreams more often than I wanted to. Even now, with all the barriers between us, I wanted him to take me in his arms and show me our past was just a nightmare and he was going to wake me up.

“And to answer your question, I just wanted to bring you here,” he continued, his eyes darting from one part of the sky to the other. “Besides, you helped me at the track, so…”

I approached and stopped only a few feet short of him. “But I didn’t do anything.”

“You were there. That was more than enough.” He sighed. “I’ve had shitty days recently and couldn’t race, but tonight, with you…” His voice trailed off, and I wanted to beg him to finish that sentence. He looked deep in thought.

“Tonight, with me?” I spurred him on, too curious not to.

Our gazes locked. “It was different. In a good way.”

My heart picked up in speed. It was getting harder for me to resist his pull. I wanted to ask him why his days had been bad, but I knew he wouldn’t answer that.

I didn’t even realize I’d taken a few more steps closer to him. I was now standing right next to the hood, staring deep into his eyes.

“Why this place, though? What’s so special about it?”

He sat up. “It’s one of my most favorite places. That empty field?” He pointed at it. “Sunflowers will be all over it in summer, and believe me, it’s something else.”

I stared at him, immersed in his words, his voice, the look in his eyes. He’d just brought me to one of his most favorite places. Another hard layer fell from around my heart, leaving me even more vulnerable to him.

“I can imagine,” I said. I was all too aware of how near I currently was to him, only inches between me and his knees, and each new breath added to the sweet pressure in my chest. His body was massive compared to mine, all muscles and height. I had a hard time suppressing my desire.

“I also wanted to thank you.” My voice was barely louder than a whisper.

He leaned his elbow against his knee, getting even closer to me. His eyes went to my lips. Breathe, Jess. Just breathe.

“For what?”

“I had a lot of fun during the race. I finally see what all the fuss is about.”

“Yeah, the rush is the best.”

He continued watching me, a half-smile tugging at his lips, and the tension in my chest became almost unbearable. My cheeks were burning. I needed to say something, anything, to break the silence.

“So.” I cleared my throat. “You like counting stars, sunflowers, basketball, and Infected Mushroom. What else?”

The gust of wind sent a strand of my hair right into his face. He wrapped his fingers around it and moved it, but he didn’t let go. He formed a cheeky smile.

“And aren’t you curious?”

He tucked the strand behind my ear slowly, so slowly. I shivered when his fingers grazed my earlobe.

He looked at the sky. “What else do I like? I like…” He met my eyes. “You.”

I sucked in my breath. He’d actually said—

“…Tube videos,” he concluded, bursting my bubble.

I let out a strangled sound, and my whole face flared up. He raised his eyebrows at my expression and erupted into hearty laughter, bending at the waist.

“Your face! You should’ve seen your face.” His laughter grew louder, but I didn’t find this as amusing as he did.

I bit into my lip. I was so stupid. I’d really thought he…

He was just messing with me.

I turned my back to him and let out a chuckle that was so empty. “Right. YouTube videos. I like them too.” I wished my damn heart would slow down. So stupid.

His laughter died. I stared at the field, telling myself not to take it to heart and forget about it. It shouldn’t have mattered.

I folded my arms across my chest. “So, can we go now?”

“Jessie,” he said incredibly softly, but I didn’t react.

He took my upper arm and pulled me around and between his legs. My eyes widened at the position, heat washing all over me. He wound his other arm around my waist, and I had to place