What You Do to Me

Being grounded is about as riveting as watching Amy try to flirt. I was already prepared to knaw off my own foot to get my life back, but the restrictions became even more grating when I admitted to Aiden I'd let him bind me again.

He found me Monday at my locker and immediately wrapped his arms around me from behind. I turned to face him, flushed.

"Didn't your Mom ever teach you about personal space?" I ask, breathless.

One eyebrow rises. "How was your weekend?"

"Started rough, but it got better."

He chuckles and the sound sends a quiver up my spine.

"How was Saturday night?"

His eyes narrow, but the smile doesn't waver. "You got my note then?"

I snort to show him how unfazed I am by the idea he broke into my room. "It was hard to miss. Next time you decide to go ninja-stalker on me, try a phone first."

"I'll give it some thought."

We stare at each other. I'm not sure if it's an awkward silence, or a pregnant pause. Then he leans in until we're almost touching. Heat rises in my face. Adrenalin makes my heart race. My skin tingles—is that the power?

"Kate?"

I hug a folder to my chest and lean against the lockers, try to pretend he's not scaring me.

"What's wrong?" His chin tips down, his voice softens.

The back of my head clunks on the metal door of my locker. My hand is on his chest. I'll push him away. In a second. Tell him that just because I went nuts on Friday doesn't mean he can touch me whenever he wants.

But before I open my mouth, he leans in and his breath brushes my ear when he whispers. "I waited for you on Saturday."

"I . . . couldn't. I'm grounded."

Aiden tips his head. "Is that the real reason?" He rolls his shoulders, drawing my eyes. I swallow.

"Yes. Mostly." He gives me a look I ignore. "Um, you were right. I was straight when I got home."

Aiden's lips rise on one side.

I swallow. "But I was in a lot of trouble. You said it would only be a couple hours. I was gone all night," I say firmly. "You used it against me."

"I didn't—" Aiden's head jerks back and his brows pinch over his nose. "You still think I'm the bad guy." He shakes his head and takes a step back, then stops abruptly, looking down.

At my hand.

Fisting his shirt.

I flush and let it go. He takes another step back with a cold chuckle.

I'm relieved when he's not so close. Less afraid. But there's also a dip of disappointment in my gut.

Aiden smiles and the dip in my stomach turns into a swoop.

He shakes his head like he knows exactly what I'm feeling. "I'm not the one who scared you, Kate. You scared yourself." He looks down the hallway, then back to me. "You're just nervous because you liked it. You want more. Well, we're all getting together again on Friday. Some of my friends asked if you'll come. They're novices. They can't tell you're passive. So it's safe. You know, just in case you decide you do trust me to try again." Then he winks and strolls down the hallway like a cat that got the bird.

Since then, he's wheedled, flirted, and rolled his eyes, teased and tempted me to sneak out almost every day. But so far, I've stayed strong. It's just not worth the explosion at home if I'm caught. And deep down there's a weird satisfaction in putting it off—anticipating both the binding, and in giving in to whatever it is Aiden and I are doing.

We're becoming a thing. Together all the time at school, and usually texting at night and on the weekends. But there's been no kissing, only rare, fleeting touches. My skin tingles whenever he's close. My butterflies dance.

But I catch him staring at me sometimes like he's unsure of me, of my willingness to keep his secrets. He has no idea that his secrets are half the reason I'm falling for him. I've always been a sucker for dark and mysterious.

On the Friday, two weeks after I was gone all night, Dad pulls me aside as I'm leaving for school.

"Are you headed to group this afternoon?" he asks.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. "Yes."

He nods once. "This'll be your last weekend grounded," he says.

I nod. It isn't what I'd hoped—that I could get out this weekend. But I can sleep my way through one more weekend if it means getting out of this house next week. Gripping the straps of my bag, I immediately make plans to corner Aiden and make some plans for next weekend.

Dad sighs and shoves his hands in his pockets. "Thank you for trying so hard these last couple weeks," he says with a thin smile. "We've noticed. You're growing up. In a few weeks, after things settle down—you get home for curfew every time, Kate—I'll talk to Mom about lifting curfew or at least making it later on the weekends, okay?"

We aren't an affectionate family, but I throw my arms around his neck and thank him.

He can't hide his grin when I let him go and skip for the door, my head already full of images of Aiden and the binding and . . . well, who knows.

I turn the music up in the car and beat the steering wheel in time with the drums. Amy scowls at me from the corner of her eye. "What are you so chirpy about?"

"My grounding's up on Monday."

"Of course. God forbid you actually pay for something that you did wrong."

I don't answer. I don't want to think about what the jab represents. I'm free. Almost. A couple more days and I'll have a life. With Aiden.

My breath comes faster. Nerves jangling in my stomach.

It'll be great.

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