Glass Heart Hero: A Dark High School Romance by Lindsey Iler (read with me .TXT) 📗

inch of that glorious body. The next time I do, though, you’ll be begging me.”

“You think you’re so smart and cute, don’t you?”

“I happen to know you, Delaney Chambers. Your lust will morph into love before you fucking know it, and when it does, when you’re finally ready to admit what I mean to you, I’m going to bury my cock so far inside you, you’ll feel me in your throat.” He kisses me quickly and walks out of the room.

My mouth opens and closes, trying to form a response, but it’s nothing but quiet noises. There are no words. There is no explaining the way he makes me feel.

Breaker Davenport will be my undoing.

******

“Where have you been?” Tripp demands, startling me as I walk out of the dorms.

I have plans with Palmer, but by the look on his face, I’d say I’m going to have to cancel.

“Sorry, but after seeing the fight between you and Breaker, I needed a minute to collect my thoughts.”

“Did collecting your thoughts involve going to see Breaker at Max’s?” He tucks his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. Seeing him in a vest and long sleeve Henley rolled to his elbows is strange. Although still polished, in these casual clothes he seems more real than he does in his pressed school khakis, crisp oxford shirt, and tie.

“Are you having me followed, Tripp?” I ask, humor in my voice but total awareness in my head.

“A few guys from the lacrosse team spotted you. Saw you and Breaker arguing.” Tripp glances at me, a worrisome expression plastered on his perfect face. I’m not used to seeing him like this.

Tripp and I are polar opposites. Sometimes I wonder what he sees in me. It’s not as if I don’t know my worth. My family is infamous, now more than ever. I have amazing grades and first pick of attending any university, although I’ve already settled on Hollow Crest. I’m not horrible on the eyes, and my personality doesn’t completely suck, but Tripp DuPont can have the pick of the litter.

“Why me?” I blurt the question, surprising Tripp and myself.

“I don’t understand the question, Laney.” He takes his hands out of his pockets and grabs one of mine.

It’s not lost on me how I search the yard to see if Breaker is close by. I doubt he is. He’s stayed far away from me this weekend and hasn’t read any of my texts.

“Why did you choose me?” I ask again, better explaining what I mean.

I bite my lip, nervously waiting for him to say something. Hand-in-hand, we walk through campus, silence enveloping our little world as I wait for the words I hope to hear. They are the words every girl hopes to hear. I’ve heard them before, uttered from another’s mouth.

Tripp leads me to a bench next to the student lot. His legs bounce, and he leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees, then he jerks upright and presses his entwined hands on the back of his head. He looks relaxed and anxious at the same time.

“You’d make a good wife one day, Delaney. Most boys our age aren’t looking for that in a girlfriend. They can’t see past next week, but I’ve been conditioned to take over my family’s business when I’m out of college. Appearances mean everything,” he says matter-of-fact.

Dread settles into the bottom recesses of my heart. That’s not the answer I’m looking for.

“I’m arm candy,” I whisper, staring at my hands, too afraid to look at Tripp.

“It sounds worse than I mean it to, I swear,” he defends, lifting my chin and forcing me to face him. “I can’t handle seeing the hurt in your eyes. It’s the way things are done in my world. Marriage is a transaction, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t desire and want within the transaction.”

I’m a result of a transaction. With Tripp, I know what’s to come. Sure, life will be easy, but will it be worth it? At least I’d know what to expect. With Breaker, I’m guaranteed a lot of unknowns, and unknowns have gotten me nowhere.

“Want to do something fun today?” I ask, hoping to change the direction of this conversation.

“I actually promised your dad I’d bring you home for the day.” Tripp stands, offering me his hand. I pause before taking it, unhappy at the thought of spending any time with my dad.

After the news broke and my father didn’t answer my call, I haven’t bothered answering him when his name pops up on the screen. Distance is what a daughter needs when her own father uses her.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Tripp,” I explain, hugging myself to try to stay warm. Without asking, Tripp removes his vest and drapes it over my shoulders to help shield the brutal wind.

“He said you’d say that, but I promised him I’d bring you. I think it would be good for you to talk to him, to hear his side of the story.” Tripp flashes his million-watt grin, and I buckle, taking his hand as he guides me to the parking lot.

For the most part, the drive to my dad’s house is silent. I stare out the window, watching the trees rush by as Tripp drums his finger on the steering wheel to the beat of the low humming music.

Comfortable silence is something I appreciate. This isn’t comfortable. Several times, I try to play silly games with Tripp, asking him random questions. He seems disconnected and uninterested.

“You should lighten up every once in a while,” I say.

He remains stoic until he parks in front of the four-car garage. After he unbuckles, he shifts to cup my cheek. His lips descend on mine, and I allow him to kiss me.

“Let’s go see your dad. He said he has something to talk to me about,” Tripp announces, grabbing a duffle from the back seat.

“Are we staying the night?” I ask, eyeing the expensive bag that screams rich guy.

“Oh, no. This is for