Tempting the Law Read Online Free

over the years. It took everything in me to do that. I can’t believe how bold I was, but it’s something I’ve wanted for so long. Just to touch him again. To even just be near him made me feel like I was where I was supposed to be.
    I almost died when I saw he came to the graduation. My heart had been racing since he’d left the ceremony. I was fearful that he might not show up to the after party. I was almost in a panic. I don’t know why I doubted it. I should have known he’d come. He will always save me. I know that with every part of me. From the moment I’d jumped from that window, I’ve known he’ll always be there for me when I need him. And I need him now.
    I don’t care that he was pushing me away in the bathroom. At least his words were. That gave me a spark of hope. He might have been able to say those things, but he didn’t pull away from me. I even felt him lean into my touch when I placed my hands on his bare chest. I’m simply going to have to push back. Or push him to act. I saw how his face turned to stone when mentioned being with someone else. I’d never actually do that because I belong to him. But I could use his jealousy to make him see reason.
    Making my way around to the other side of the pool, I glance over my shoulder to see Coen exiting the pool house, his eyes trained on me. I try to put a little more wiggle into my step, hoping I don’t trip over my own feet. I’m not a temptress. Or at least I’ve never tried to be one before today, but I’m going to give it everything I have, because one way or another, I’m leaving with Coen today.
    “Eden.” I look over at Taylor waving me over to one of the food tables. I’m surprised to even see him here, but I’m guessing his parents made him come. People will do anything to get an invite to be around my stepfather. To rub shoulders with a senator.
    His eyes run over me, making me feel naked. It feels nothing like when Coen did it in the pool house. It takes everything in me not to cringe, but I have to do this. I know it’s the only way. I have to push if I want Coen to act. To take me like I’ve always dreamed he would.
    Away from this place. Away from my stepfather, who makes me more than cringe and whose touches have begun to linger a little too long lately. My mother doesn’t appear to notice. She’s never around, and when she is, she just doesn’t care.
    “Hey, I didn’t know you’d be here today.”
    Taylor puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him like we’ve been lifelong friends. We’ve lived down the road from each other for years and he’s barely said two words to me in that time. We didn’t go to the same private school but we were both in the same grade. He’d graduated last week. He went to the co-ed private school, and I was put into an all-girls academy.
    I could barely breathe without someone watching me. The only time I could be alone was at home, but then my stepfather would just show up. I felt like it was his life goal to make me feel uncomfortable. If it is, he’s winning.
    I glance over at Coen and see his eyes are still on me. He looks pissed, but now my stepfather is talking to him. Coen doesn’t stop staring at me while he carries on the conversation. I can see from here he’s breathing heavy. John follows his line of sight, and I look away.
    “Couldn’t miss little Eden on her big day. Not only was it just your birthday, but a graduation, too.” His eyes drop to my breasts. “Guess you’re all grown up now. Maybe your daddy won't keep you so locked away now and you can come out and play.”
    I look up at him and smile. I’m not sure what else to say. I don’t want to lead him on; I’m only using him to make Coen break.
    All the girls at school talk about Taylor. He’s well known around here. He plays some silly sport with a ball that all the girls at school went all goofy-eyed about. But I’d probably do the same if it was something Coen did.
    I don’t really get the