Read Online Tainted Legacy (YA Paranormal Romance) by Amity Hope - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Amity Hope
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was that idiotic expression ? he wondered. Stake his claim . < ofw Roman/font>
The whack of the rackets and the thump of the ball on the court only agitated him as he pondered this unforeseen development.
Molly’s match ended before Gabe had really even seen her play. He only knew it was over because of Ava’s exuberant reaction. He faked a grin and tried to look interested. She glanced over at him with a smile so charming it was contagious. He found a sincere smile creeping onto his own face for no apparent reason.
Ava nudged him and Gabe managed not to jump despite the burn. “That’s Marci, Dawson’s sister, heading out onto the court right now,” she explained. “In case you’re wondering why he’s still here. She’s a sophomore but she’s on the varsity team.”
He was about to protest, to tell Ava that he wasn’t wondering that at all but then realized she’d likely seen the death glare he’d been giving the boy. Instead, he nodded but didn’t say anything because when she leaned in close, he could smell the fruity scent of her lip gloss. He found himself wondering what flavor it was. Cherry? Watermelon? Raspberry? She was so close he could lean over and find out for himself. But then her hand came down on his knee and because he hadn’t been paying attention, he sucked in a surprised, pained breath.
“Are you okay?” Ava asked as she jerked away from him, completely forgetting what it was she had been about to tell him.
He nodded. “Yeah. Just a leg cramp,” he lied as he stretched out his leg and rubbed the spot that was still burning. If he’d had any doubt that he could move things past friendship, that small searing touch solidified the answer as an absolute no . There would be no staking of claims on his part anytime soon.
Julia peeked around Ava, a curious look on her face. He forced an insincere smile her way. She forced an identical one back at him.
Ava’s gaze bounced between the two of them. She rolled her eyes before turning her attention to Marci.
Gabe tried to pay attention this time but Ava was sitting forward, her profile clearly displayed before him. He hadn’t noticed before how high her cheekbones were. How perfectly shaped her nose was. Or how full her lips seemed to be.
When the match became suddenly intense, he watched with interest as she rolled her lower lip in, biting it between her teeth.
As soon as it was over, those lips broke into a huge smile. This time it wasn’t for him. He followed her gaze to Dawson who was cheering for his sister.
He clenched his jaw when he realized he may have been wrong. Maybe what he’d been feeling had been jealousy after all. But only seconds later+0"econds she was smiling at him again and the feeling faded.
Apparently Marci and Molly were the only two she was interested in watching because as soon as their matches were over, she turned to him and started chatting. Although they didn’t discuss a single thing of importance, he realized that he liked listening to her talk. The sound of her voice was almost hypnotizing. The animated look that came over her face when she told him about Mr. Crawford falling asleep at his desk and snoring during study hall made him smile.
Every now and then she’d take a break in the conversation to check out what was happening on the court. Or to chat with Julia, but mostly she directed her attention at him.
He liked it that way.
He didn’t even realize the event had come to an end until people started to stand.
“Um, I’m going to get going,” Julia said as she slid past them. “I’ve got to babysit Austin tonight. I’ll see you later.” The last was directed at Ava.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Ava agreed before Julia bounced down the steps and disappeared into the crowd. She tilted her head to the side, an inquisitive look on her face. “See, this wasn’t so bad, was it?”
He replied honestly. “No, it wasn’t bad at all.”
“Good. I could tell on the phone you were
The whack of the rackets and the thump of the ball on the court only agitated him as he pondered this unforeseen development.
Molly’s match ended before Gabe had really even seen her play. He only knew it was over because of Ava’s exuberant reaction. He faked a grin and tried to look interested. She glanced over at him with a smile so charming it was contagious. He found a sincere smile creeping onto his own face for no apparent reason.
Ava nudged him and Gabe managed not to jump despite the burn. “That’s Marci, Dawson’s sister, heading out onto the court right now,” she explained. “In case you’re wondering why he’s still here. She’s a sophomore but she’s on the varsity team.”
He was about to protest, to tell Ava that he wasn’t wondering that at all but then realized she’d likely seen the death glare he’d been giving the boy. Instead, he nodded but didn’t say anything because when she leaned in close, he could smell the fruity scent of her lip gloss. He found himself wondering what flavor it was. Cherry? Watermelon? Raspberry? She was so close he could lean over and find out for himself. But then her hand came down on his knee and because he hadn’t been paying attention, he sucked in a surprised, pained breath.
“Are you okay?” Ava asked as she jerked away from him, completely forgetting what it was she had been about to tell him.
He nodded. “Yeah. Just a leg cramp,” he lied as he stretched out his leg and rubbed the spot that was still burning. If he’d had any doubt that he could move things past friendship, that small searing touch solidified the answer as an absolute no . There would be no staking of claims on his part anytime soon.
Julia peeked around Ava, a curious look on her face. He forced an insincere smile her way. She forced an identical one back at him.
Ava’s gaze bounced between the two of them. She rolled her eyes before turning her attention to Marci.
Gabe tried to pay attention this time but Ava was sitting forward, her profile clearly displayed before him. He hadn’t noticed before how high her cheekbones were. How perfectly shaped her nose was. Or how full her lips seemed to be.
When the match became suddenly intense, he watched with interest as she rolled her lower lip in, biting it between her teeth.
As soon as it was over, those lips broke into a huge smile. This time it wasn’t for him. He followed her gaze to Dawson who was cheering for his sister.
He clenched his jaw when he realized he may have been wrong. Maybe what he’d been feeling had been jealousy after all. But only seconds later+0"econds she was smiling at him again and the feeling faded.
Apparently Marci and Molly were the only two she was interested in watching because as soon as their matches were over, she turned to him and started chatting. Although they didn’t discuss a single thing of importance, he realized that he liked listening to her talk. The sound of her voice was almost hypnotizing. The animated look that came over her face when she told him about Mr. Crawford falling asleep at his desk and snoring during study hall made him smile.
Every now and then she’d take a break in the conversation to check out what was happening on the court. Or to chat with Julia, but mostly she directed her attention at him.
He liked it that way.
He didn’t even realize the event had come to an end until people started to stand.
“Um, I’m going to get going,” Julia said as she slid past them. “I’ve got to babysit Austin tonight. I’ll see you later.” The last was directed at Ava.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Ava agreed before Julia bounced down the steps and disappeared into the crowd. She tilted her head to the side, an inquisitive look on her face. “See, this wasn’t so bad, was it?”
He replied honestly. “No, it wasn’t bad at all.”
“Good. I could tell on the phone you were
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