Read Banished: Book 1 of The Grimm Laws for Free Online

from? Her eyes went to his, and she could tell that he was amused—almost as if he could read her thoughts. She cleared her throat and stepped back to put distance between them.
    “I’m not going,” she said adamantly.
    He gave her a searching look.
    She jutted out her chin. “I’m not.”
    He let out a breath. “Okay, if that’s the way you wanna play it.”
    Her face fell, and she realized with a jolt that she’d been enjoying the verbal sparring. “Giving up so easily?” she taunted.
    She could tell from the way his eyes shifted that this took him off guard, but then his expression became serious, and he looked straight at her. “Never.”
    Everything around her went still. The connection between them was so strong that it nearly took her breath away. Every part of her was drawn to him in a way she didn’t understand. He was looking at her so intently that she thought she would get lost in the depth of those fathomless eyes. A sense of Déjà vu skirted across the edge of her consciousness, but it vanished before she could pinpoint it. She blinked to break the connection, and the moment passed.
    She wondered if he’d felt the connection too, but his expression was too guarded to tell. His tone became light and a smile played on his lips. “I suppose I could drag you out on the field, but that wouldn’t exactly be the prettiest sight.”
    She couldn’t stop the giggle that forced its way out of her throat. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Toting me over your shoulder wouldn’t be the best idea.”
    There was a mischievous spark in his blue eyes. “Fun,” he murmured, “but not the most appropriate way for a homecoming attendant to take the field.”
    She looked away. Things were getting way too steamy between them. She was obviously attracted to him, and there didn’t seem to be much she could do to stop herself from feeling this way.
    “Well, look at the bright side.”
    She cocked her head. “Huh?”
    “Josselyn will be thrilled. Her evil plan worked. You’ll be a no-show, and she can go around, telling everyone how emotionally distraught and fragile you’ve become after the accident. Your stepmother will be elated because the spotlight will then be turned to Josselyn rather than you, and with any luck, they’ll let Josselyn walk out onto the field in your behalf.”
    “What?” She glared at him. “You’re baiting me, aren’t you?”
    He spread his hands in defeat. “I’m just telling you how it is. The ball’s in your court, Elle.”
    “But I told you, both dresses are ruined. One has chocolate all over it, and the other is ripped! What am I supposed to do?”
    He leaned in close and touched a strand of her hair, sending a tingle racing down her spine. He smelled of peppermint and the fresh outdoors. For a split second, she thought— hoped he was going to kiss her. “Since when do you need a dress to be homecoming attendant?”
    Her eyes widened. “Are you suggesting that I walk out on the field in jeans?”
    “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m suggesting. If you go out on that field tonight, you’ll show them all, Elle. They’ll realize they can’t beat you down.” There was a challenge in his eyes—a challenge that she wanted to reach up and meet. “Show them, Elle. Show them the girl you really are.”
    That was the heart of the matter. “I don’t know who I am,” she said quietly.
    “You do, Elle. You just need to remember.”
    “Yeah, the remembering part is the kicker.” She looked up at him. “Um” … she swallowed, trying to find the right way to phrase the question that was plaguing her. “Were the two of us … involved?” She knew her face was flaming like a neon sign, but she had to know. Everyone kept telling her that she and Edward were a couple, but this guy … Rush … he seemed to know so much about her. Not to mention that every inch of her body felt alive when she was near him.
    He leaned forward, studying her. “Do you really have to ask that