Read Twisted Stars (Hardest Mistakes #3) for Free Online

house and through the crowd of partiers. When I realise where he’s trying to take me, I start struggling out of his heavy grip.
    “Connor, let go.” He smiles at me, eyes full of lust. I push against him again. “Connor!”
    Suddenly, Jayden is there, blocking our path. “She said let go,” he directs at Connor, who frowns at the interruption and squints at me. I nod once, eyes wide. When he doesn’t immediately let go, Jayden takes a menacing step forward, fists clenched at his sides.
    Connor staggers back, hands lifted in surrender. “She’s all yours,” he slurs before turning back to the party and heading for another young girl.
    I rub my shoulder and throw Jayden a small smile. “Thanks.” His eyes search my face, and he nods once. “Do you want to go home?” I ask. “Maybe watch a movie with me? You don’t have to. I mean, if you want to stay or…”
    I honestly don’t expect him to even consider it, but he agrees.
    With Jayden trailing along behind me, I search out Dylan to let him know I’m leaving.
    We catch an awkward, silent cab ride home. As soon as we get inside, I head for the living room. I switch on the flat screen and press play on the DVD player. Jayden frowns at the title as he sits down on the couch beside me.
    “What are we watching?”
    I grin. “My favorite movie of all time. You’ll love it. I promise.” He screws up his nose as the main characters kiss on screen, making me laugh.
    We watch in silence. Jayden’s so quiet that before long I’m so engrossed in the movie I’ve forgotten he’s there, sitting beside me…our legs touching.
    Suddenly, the feeling of being watched washes over me. I glance sideways to see Jayden staring at me. His dark gaze sends tingles over the back of my skull and down my neck, making me shiver.
    “What is it?” I ask quietly.
    He doesn’t answer. Instead, he moves closer until we are only inches away. The sound of the movie fades into the background. I lean in slowly, giving him time to pull away. His breath mingles with mine just as our lips meet. He feels like a dream—soft, but hard. It’s so difficult to describe. I lose myself in the feeling. His hand snakes up my back and into my hair, pulling my hair tie free. His fingers weave through the loose strands, sending tingles over my scalp. I push closer until I’m nearly on top of him, our bodies pressed up against each other.
    Jayden drops his hands and pulls away, leaving me gasping for air.
    “What is it?” I ask, suddenly unsure of myself in a way I’ve never been before. “Did I do something wrong?”
    A light pink blush appears on his face, and he turns away, shaking his head. I almost smile at how adorable he is, but I stop myself.
    “I think I should…” He doesn’t finish. Instead he jumps up and races to his room, leaving me open-mouthed and confused on the couch.
    I take a few moments to calm myself, and then I follow him up the stairs. His closed door taunts me. Testing to see if I’m brave enough to go after what I want. I’ve never been afraid to before, so why start now?
    Edging the door open, I search the dark room beyond. Jayden is sitting up in the bed, watching me.
    He doesn’t say anything as I approach, closing the door behind me.
    He doesn’t say anything when I slide onto the bed beside him.
    He doesn’t say anything as I lay down on my side, facing him.
    Instead, he does the same, lying down beside me. We face each other in silence, our eyes locked on one another.
    He shifts. I glance down at our intertwined hands. He’s trembling. Maybe this is too intimate for him? Maybe I’m pushing too much too quickly? I can feel his fingers clench and unclench around mine. I shift and pull my hand away. He grips tighter. “No, don’t let go…not yet.”
    I study his eyes as they glitter in the weak light from the street shining through the window. I lift my hand and trace my fingers down his cheek until I hit stubble. In the quiet, I can hear his sharp