Read BEFORE for Free Online Page A

there was, they’re still not meant to be worn by a six-foot-two giant.” 
    While he struggles to disentangle himself, I smooth my chestnut hair into a loose ponytail. Neat and tidy, just like a future Stateswoman. In the mirror, I see Beck has stopped fighting my jeans and is watching me. Flutters tickle my heart. His eyes burn for a second but then he returns to just regular old Beck.
    A weird tension hangs between us. It’s been happening more and more lately. When I catch Beck staring at me, he’ll look away or pretend to be doing something else, and then we avoid each other for a while until the awkwardness passes.
    But we don’t have time for that this morning, so I stick out my tongue and hope it distracts him.
    “Oh, you did it now!” he growls playfully.
    I’m pulled off the ground and hurled through space. The unexpected sensation leaves me dazed and unprepared for what comes next. I land on my bed, my legs dangling over the edge. Beck leaps on me and straddles my waist. He deftly pins me, holding both my hands over my head with one hand. 
    I look up at him, suppressing my urge to shriek and laugh simultaneously. “We’re going to be–”
    The burning look returns to his eyes. 
    It stops me cold.
    “Late,” he says, and with his free hand, pinches my pendant—a soaring bird—between two fingers. 
    “Do you really like this?” He turns it over, examining the patina bird he gave me last year, on our seventeenth birthday, and lays it softly onto my chest. His fingers brush my collarbone, and he jerks his hand away. A shiver ripples down my spine.
    “Of course I do.”
    He frowns, like my answer wasn’t what he’d hoped for. I’m not sure what Beck wanted me to say—it’s a necklace he gave me. I like it—it’s pretty. 
    My eyes lock onto his and I draw a ragged breath. For the first time in my life, I don’t care about the State’s rules. I want Beck to kiss me.
    He leans close to me, our mouths inches apart. His warm breath fans across my face. “It looks pretty on you.” 
    My heart races, pumping blood faster and faster through my body,  leaving a wave of heat in its path. I close my eyes, waiting for his lips to touch mine, anticipating the sensation. Waiting for everything I know we shouldn’t do but can’t help wishing we would. 
    At the last second, as the electricity between our skin sparks, I turn my head.
    My eyes flutter open and I catch a glimmer of disappointment in his eyes before he turns on his normal bright smile. 
    “Can you get out?” he asks with a hint of mischief, while pinning my hands above my head.
    I twist my wrists, and with one strong shove, I push him off me and throw myself on his back. Unlike everyone else, Beck’s never surprised by my strength or athleticism.
    “Of course I can.” I push my face into his hair.
    “Not bad, Birdie.” He stands up with me clinging to his back. He hesitates, and for a second, I think he’s going to drop me to the ground, but then he grasps my thighs and holds me tight. “We should get our breakfast.” 
    I’m thankful he can’t see the blush I know is creeping across my cheeks and pray he can’t feel my heart hammering against his back. 
    The bedroom doors of all the other students—four boys or four girls per room— are open and empty. Everyone must be at breakfast, which means Beck and I are late. 
    When we reach the kitchen doorway, twenty-four pairs of eyes stare at us from the tables. Fortunately, Bethina has her back to us. 
    Beck releases my legs, and I slide off his back and smooth my skirt. It’s my sad attempt to act like riding around on his back is completely normal and not at all borderline rule-breaking. 
    Rule number one: Students must not engage in any intimate activity until after their bindings.  
    “Will you two stop messing around and hurry up?” Bethina turns around and hands Beck a plate. Her dark hair is pulled back into a bun and her olive skin looks more ashen than normal