Forbidden Fruit: Volume 1 by Lisa M. Harley, Janice Baker, Lexi Buchanan, Jessica Hawkins, Missy Johnson, Stacey Lynn, Rebecca Brooke, Olivia Linden, R. S. Grey, Morgan Jane Mitchell Page B

what you think, then that’s what you think.”
    He stalked off, leaving me standing there, alone, surrounded by bushes and shrubs. I stepped back out onto the path, not quite sure of what the hell had just happened.
    What you wanted. For him to back off.
    But if that was what I wanted, then why did I feel like shit?
    ~*~*~*~
    Carrying my tray, I found a table in the corner of the lunchroom. Most of the girls had friends, or at least people to talk to. I had nobody. Not that I wanted anyone. Friends complicated things. People in general complicated things.
    I picked at my chicken mornay, which tasted like old shoes, before pushing it away. I glanced around and spotted Max, staring at me from across the room. I looked away, my heart racing. It felt like weeks since he had touched me. Why couldn’t I just delude myself while I was in here? It’s not like things were going to change outside. I could talk as much shit as I wanted, but talking and actually changing were two completely different things. Why couldn’t I just accept that, and enjoy having him in here?
    If he was using me, then why the fuck couldn’t I use him?
    If only it was that easy to fool myself.
    I kicked back my chair, and stood up. Knowing he was in there, watching me was just too much. What the hell was wrong with me? I laughed. Everything was wrong with me. I wish I even knew where to start with that.
    I made my way down to the tree. Our tree.
    No, it wasn't 'our tree' it was a tree owned by the detention center you were put into for acting like a dumb ass.
    I sat down and leaned my head back against the trunk. I closed my eyes and sighed. It shouldn't be this hard. If things were this hard now, what was shit going to be like in five years, or ten years, or even twenty years down the track? What was the point in living at all?
    Great, so now on top of everything else, I was having an existential crisis.
    “I thought I'd find you here.”
    I jumped, my eyes flying open. I was so focused on focusing on not thinking, that I didn't even hear him approach. He stood in front me, his towering presence sending shivers down my spine. He was so much harder to ignore when he was right in front of me, when I could smell the musky scent of his aftershave. When my heart was pounding at the sound of his voice.
    “It wouldn’t have taken much of a guess,” I said dryly. “I'm always here.”
    “That's true,” he said sitting down beside me. “But I like that I automatically know where to look for you. I like that after three weeks I know you that well.”
    “How well can you really know anyone after three weeks?” I asked sullenly.
    “Now, where's that coming from?” He looks confused. I didn't resist as he reached for my hand, entwining my fingers in his own. “This doubt…this insecurity, it's a complete one eighty from the woman who practically forced herself on me on her second day here.”
    “Forced myself on you?” I couldn't help but laugh. “The way I remember it you went kicking up too much of a fuss.” I teased dryly.
    “How much fuss could I kick up when your mouth is over my dick, with that sexy red hair flying everywhere?” he protested, laughing.
    I rolled my eyes “You make it sound like I assaulted you.”
    He shrugged, that sexy grin spreading across his mouth
    “Hey, I'm not saying it wasn't a welcome assault.” He grinned at me. “I'm not saying I’d push you away if you did it again.”
    “Ah, so that's why you're here?” I chuckled, managing a smile.
    His face turned serious “Not at all. I'm here because I was worried about you.” He glanced around looking like he wanted to say something
    “Say it,” I said, pressed him.
    He shrugged. “I don't know. I don't know what it is about you, but I like it when you're happy. And you haven’t looked happy for a few days.”
    I sighed. I was such an idiot. “I’m sorry. I may have overreacted.”
    “To what?” He asked. “I still don't understand. Was it something I