Chapter One

Skye tried to concentrate on her school lunch, but her eye always crept back to him—Jared Atkinson. He was six feet two inches and very muscular. The tattoos on his arms made her attraction to him even stronger. Jesus, she'd always been the good girl, she didn't have a choice because of her mother, but her attention was on the worst kid around. Hell, kid? The guy was more masculine than the adults around him.

His hair was always messy, like he ran his fingers through it, and as black as night. From the glimpses she saw of his eyes, they were a piercing green that seemed to see right through her.

His hands were huge with scars and calluses that told her his life hadn't been easy so far. The veins and tendons that stood out starkly showed his strength. Everything about the man turned her into mush, making her body hum without ever talking to him. Being a virgin didn't help because she didn't know if what she felt was normal and was afraid to ask her friends.

She jerked when one of her friends smacked her shoulder.

"What?" Skye asked, dismayed.

"You've got to stop staring at him," Callie whispered. "He's liable to kidnap, rape, and kill you, and no one would ever find your body."

Skye rolled her eyes. Everything she'd heard about Jared was horrible, and she couldn't understand it. She never saw any evidence of him being the monster everyone said he was. So, he was standoffish. There was nothing wrong with that. Yes, everyone, even teachers, feared him, but she thought it was because he never smiled and always looked angry.

"He's a senior, and I heard he was going into the military after he graduated," Matty said. "We don't graduate for two years." She grinned. "There is no way that guy will ever give you the time of day, and if you think you can talk him into going to prom, you're looney."

Skye looked back and forth at her two best friends as they laughed at Matty's joke. They'd been together since kindergarten and knew almost everything about each other. Mostly everything. Skye didn't like to talk about her mother and the bitch she was because there was nothing they could do to help. Every failed relationship made her meaner. Skye was stuck with her until she turned eighteen.

Skye glanced over to where he sat, reading while eating lunch. He was always so alone. "I heard that, too. I don't blame him. He needs to get away from this town."

What felt like a fist tightening in her chest was the dread she felt at not being able to see him ever again. Could a person's heart break if they lost a person they'd never even talked to? It felt like it to her.

She glanced over at him again, and her heart jumped into her throat when she caught him staring at her. She jerked her eyes away and looked down at her tray. Oh, God. Please tell me he didn't see me fawning over him.

Matty squeezed her hand. "Don't look over at him. He's staring this way, and he doesn't look happy."

Callie snorted. "He never looks happy."

"Let's get out of here and go sit outside," Mattie said as she stood and lifted her tray.

Skye followed them and dumped their trash before walking out. She tried so hard but couldn't prevent herself from sneaking another peek at Jared.

She gasped and almost choked when she noticed he was still watching her. She hurried after her friends.

Fortunately, they didn't have any classes together since he was a senior and she was a sophomore, and she rarely saw him in the hallways. She only saw him at lunch, or she'd catch glimpses of him in the parking lot.

Later that day, the three stood in the girls' locker room, and Skye still hadn't settled down from the attention Jared gave her. Yes, it was just staring, but she felt like he'd finally noticed her for the first time.

"Hey, we'll see you tomorrow," Callie said.

Skye grinned. "Bye." She finished combing her hair. They had finished with swim team practice and headed home. She was glad because her legs felt like rubber after the laps their teacher made them do, and she had homework.

Skye waved to the others as she walked outside. She inhaled and relaxed as the late afternoon sun warmed her face. The day was done, and her mother had one of her women's groups, so she wouldn't have to deal with her until the next day.

She gasped when a hand grabbed onto her arm as she turned a corner. Her body was pushed up against the stone, and her head barely missed hitting the hard surface. Her mouth dropped open when she realized Jared had her pinned to the side of the school. Her eyes darted around, but there was no one she could see. They stood in the shadows and behind large bushes.

Her purse and books dropped to the ground when one of his hands wrapped around her neck and squeezed. It wasn't a hard grip, just intimidating. She clawed at his knuckles only to have him chuckle.

"You're fine. You can breathe. Fucking idiot."

She forced herself to settle down and realized she could breathe. He was giving her just enough room to do that.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"I want to know why a little slut like you keeps staring at me like some lovesick puppy. It's irritating."

Skye tried to act bravely, but she knew he could feel her trembling. "For one thing, I'm not a slut."

Jared grunted. "What the fuck ever."

"And I don't stare at you…"

His grip tightened. "That's bullshit. Don't fucking lie to me."

Her fingers tried to pull his away from her neck. "Stop!" She tried to yell, but she couldn't get enough breath. She lashed out with her shoe and kicked him in the shin. She knew she had done more damage to herself than him, but he was surprised enough that he loosened his grip.

"Fine. Yes, I look at you."

"Why?" he asked.

What did she tell him because she didn't know herself?

He pulled her away from the building a few inches and then pushed her back against it hard enough to feel the impact but not give her pain.

"I don't know!" she yelled.

It was disconcerting how he studied her for a long while, making her fear rise and her heart pound faster.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Do you just need to get fucked? I can do that. It doesn't matter how you look. I can always turn off the lights or turn you around and take you from behind."

Skye swallowed past the emotions. She knew he was just trying to be a prick, but it still hurt. "No. I don't want to get f-fucked."

"Jesus Christ. You're blushing. Aren't you a little old for that?"

"It doesn't matter…"

"The fuck it doesn't. The only other thing I can think of is that you're a virgin. Is that right? Do you still have your cherry?" he asked sarcastically.

She felt her blush deepen, making him laugh.

"Fucking A. I didn't think anyone over fifteen still had their cherry."

Her chin rose. "Maybe it's because I'm ugly."

His eyes narrowed. "Watch your tone with me."

She tried to push him away. "Get off of me."

"Babe, I'm not on you. You'll know when I climb on top of you," Jared said.

"What do you want?" she yelled.

"I'm not sure yet. For now, stop staring at me. It pisses me off."

"You got it. I'll never do it again. Can I go now?"

His other hand reached and cupped her breast. Her whole body jolted and was frozen.

He leaned in and pressed his lips against her ear. "You've got a nice rack on you. I've seen you in a bathing suit. I could do you. I could fuck you all day long."

"Shut up!" she screamed and tried to push him away. Of course, she couldn't get him to move an inch. It was like trying to push on a boulder. "I've heard you like to rape women." She had no idea why she said it and regretted it when he looked at her with a dark fury in his eyes that he tried to hide.

He straightened. "Babe, I don't have to rape women. All I have to do is snap my fingers, and I can get any girl in school."

"Not me."

He chuckled. "Oh, especially you."

"Fuck off, Jared."

His eyes widened. "Well, look at you. Using adult words."

"Screw you. Let me go." No matter how hard she struggled, he held her tight. "I'll do what you said and not look at you. Now, unless you want me to scream bloody murder, back off."

He squeezed her breast in his massive hand just to the point of pain before releasing her. He took a few steps back and stood with his hands at his side.

She bent and grabbed onto her purse and books. She was shaking enough that her teeth chattered, but she didn't drop anything. She could clamp her teeth together, so Jared didn't know how much he was affecting her.

She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was terrifying her. Skye slid to the side and took several steps away. Without looking over her shoulder, she kept walking at a leisurely pace but called back at him. "Have a nice life, Jared."

It was only when she was locked into her car and several miles away that the tears came. She pulled over to the side and wept until she gagged.

"I need to get control and go home. I want to shower again and get the feeling of his hands off my skin."

At home, she started crying again as the water from the shower beat down on her. The realization she'd just liked being close to him scared her more than his actions had. She might have enjoyed being with him if he had been at least gentle and not said such horrible things.

She tried to tell herself it was for the best. He was an obsession she didn't understand but now could put behind her. The last thing she needed in her life was another bully. She already lived with one at home. That was enough.