The Hawthorne Legacy (The Inheritance Games, #2)

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

And if your grandfather knew that—and I know that’s a big if—but

there was literally a picture of you and harry babe

he was capable of orchestrating nearly anything, manipulating nearly anyone.

what if i told you im a mastermind

But Jameson and I had been down that road before.

what does that mean.

I’d been a part of the puzzle to him, a tool to be used.

you’re still on this?

“And if I win,” I countered, staring into those green eyes of his, “then you have to forget that we ever kissed—and never try to charm me into kissing you again.”

BOOOOOO

For the first time in seven days, I turned to look directly at Grayson Hawthorne.

BOOOOOO

but there Jameson was.

amen

He brought his face level with mine and cupped my head in his hands. “Fireworks,” he told me. “It’s just fireworks, Heiress, for halftime.”

He let his thumb trace the outline of my jaw.

god

For the sake of my own sanity, I needed to win this bet. Fast.

if you don’t kiss him, EYE WILL

Guilty as sin.

“Want to wrestle for it?” That did not strike me as a rhetorical question.

Glaring at Jameson, who winked back at me, I knelt next to Xander.

“You know Dad didn’t mean to give that interview, right?

girl

“I’m always thinking,” I replied. “That’s what I love about you, Heiress.”

I expected him to kiss me then—to take advantage of my moment of weakness, to push me back against the wall and wait for my head to angle up toward his, wait for a yes. He looked like he wanted to. I wanted it.

He stepped up behind me and adjusted my grip, his arms wrapping around mine, guiding them from shoulder to fingertips.

oh i’m frowing up

“Would you close the door if I promised very sincerely not to ravish your client?” “Jameson!” I hissed.

he’s so insane

“Do you trust me, Heiress?” Jameson had donned a leather jacket. He looked like trouble. The good kind.

I crossed the threshold—and found myself almost immediately joined by Oren and Eli. Apparently, I’d been under closer guard than I’d realized.

LMAO

“Your father is such a lovely man, Avery.”

die

If I went with him, he’d find a way to make us both forget what had just happened.

“It’s okay to go after what you want.”

you’re SO right max

“but there’s a waiter who just walked by, and he’s carrying shrimp!”

me

“I have it on good authority that he’ll be filing for custody of our little heiress very soon.”

hell no

His text was exactly three words long: Meet you there.

YAAAASSSSS

“As your friend.”

i’m watching you buddy

They were kissing.

gay rights

“Jameson Hawthorne is in the hot tub.”

“He doesn’t want me,” I told Max. “Not really. He wants the mystery. He wants to keep me close until he can use me. I’m a part of the puzzle to him.”

get over this baby

“So what are you going to do about it?”

max gets it

“I’m always thinking, Heiress.” Jameson’s green eyes stayed fixed on the sky. “That’s what you love about me.”

“Okay, Heiress,” Jameson murmured. “What am I thinking now?”

“No,” Jameson agreed, his voice low and inviting. “Not about the ring.”

I brought my lips to Jameson’s, and he kissed me, hard. My body remembered this. I kissed him back.

LETS GOOOOOO

Again, Zara’s attention stayed focused on me. “Five million dollars.” Her smile didn’t come even close to reaching her eyes. “I’ll give you lot five minutes with my father’s ring,” she enunciated, “for the low, low price of five million dollars.”

i mean. easy

my fist connected with his chest. He didn’t even blink.

hot

“Tell me what you need.” Jameson wasn’t flirting. He wasn’t being cryptic. He wasn’t using me, in any way that I could tell.

We were barreling forward. Jameson and me.

I didn’t want to think about anything, so I kissed the boy. This time it wasn’t rough or frantic. It was gentle and slow and terrifying and perfect.

Eli started to follow us inside, and Jameson took that as his cue to run a hand down my back and bring his lips to the spot where my neck met my jawline. I arched my neck, and Eli went bright red and stepped out of the room.

HEHEEE

“Strip bowling.”

oh!

I tried—and failed—to look away as Jameson’s fingers reached for the waistband of his jeans.

My body had gravitated toward his all on its own.

well tell it to stop

The same pictures I’d shown Mrs. Laughlin the day before.

that bitch

Before I could get the word daughter out, Grayson leaned his head down and crushed his lips to mine.

I FORGOT ABOUT YHAT EW

And I will never stop being sorry about your sister.

mmmmm

I would have put a bullet in her myself.

oh

I heard a single, high-pitched beep, and the world exploded. Into fire. Into nothing.

oh!

Fire and Grayson, standing a hundred feet away from me. I waited for him to come running. I waited. I waited. He didn’t.