Temptation (The Hunted, #1)

by Ivy Smoak

I didn't know what I meant. I had a habit of apologizing for everything.

It would be a while before he texted me back. That was just how texting seemed to work. He'd see it right away, but he'd want to pretend he was busy doing something else and text me back in a bit. Or if he was like Austin, I'd never hear from him again. I put my phone down on my bed. I hated these games.

He leaned toward me and slowly wiped the other side of my mouth with his thumb. He then placed his finger in his mouth and sucked off the chocolate. I could feel my heart rate accelerating. Why is that so hot?

"Penny, I'm sorry." "Yeah I know, you already said that tonight." I turned around to face him. "What exactly are you apologizing for anyway? Are you trying to say that you somehow 'accidentally' ignored me all summer? Or are you referring to the girls you were just flirting with on our date? Or maybe all the times you've stood me up? Or are you just sorry for being an arrogant asshole in general?"

I was done with boys. I wanted a man. And I wanted that man to be Professor Hunter. It was time to find out if he wanted me. Before I could chicken out, I took my phone out of my clutch and texted Professor Hunter. "Any chance I can get a lift?"

"You're infuriating, Penny," he whispered into my ear. "Then punish me, Professor Hunter."

"You're going to want to scream," he whispered. "But don't make a sound."

"When we're together, I can assure you that I don't see anyone else in the room. You always have my undivided attention."

Brownies were second only to condoms on my list of favorite things that come in foil.