Maldeamores (Lovesick) (Heightsbound #0.5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

time, even though we’re almost the same age.
    I dab at the gash under his eye that is bleeding the most.
    “Easier said than done,” he says, and then grabs my wrist hard. I stare at the juncture where his hand meets my arm. His knuckles are white and my skin under his grip is turning bright pink.
    My lips immediately part and my stomach fills with unease. I can always read Luciano, but right now I can’t tell what’s happening. He has sweat on his brow and there’s dirt smudged on his face and his arm. He doesn’t release my hand.
    “Luciano, you’re scaring me.”
    He drops my wrist disdainfully and his eyes graze slowly down my body. I glance down at my own chest and suddenly remember that I took my bra off when I got in. I’m wearing a white button-down shirt, unbuttoned a little bit. My nipples are hard from the cold ice in the tea cloth. The shirt brushes over my breasts just enough to make shivers skirt up my back.
    Luciano pushes me off of him and stands up abruptly. He adjusts his shorts in the front without turning to look at me.
    “Belén, put some fucking clothes on,” he states coldly.
    I blush a deep red and feel the urge to holler that it’s not my fault, but instead I look at the floor and wish I could comfort him. I don’t know what happened. I want to be the person who can help him.
    “I’m sorry, Luc. I didn’t know you were coming.”

Chapter 7
    Lucky
     
    I try to avoid her as much as possible now. I know it’s not her fault, but I can’t stand to be around her. It makes me feel like I’m fighting myself—all this stress and tension and then getting turned on by her tight little body. I know I can’t go there, I can’t be that fucked up. I just keep telling myself that I’m young and horny—that one time was because I was already lit on that other chick being over.
    But if I’m being honest, Belén does strange shit to my mind. It’s like I want to protect her and eat her up all at the same time. All I know is that I feel fucking nuts when I’m around her, so I try to lie low and fill my time up with enough shit that I can avoid running into her.
    I promised Tía Betty that I’d teach Belén how to defend herself. It’s not like I’m giving her a lesson behind closed doors—my ma is home and Betty is bringing Belén over. But they don’t know I kissed Belén or how fucked up I feel about it.
    I smoked a joint on the fire escape to try to tame my nerves down a notch. I’m high as a kite and I can barely remember the shit they taught me in my martial arts classes. I open the door when they knock and Belén looks as nervous as I feel. I gotta smile though, ‘cause she’s wearing sweats like she’s coming over for a workout.
    “What up, Bey? Ready to kick my ass?”
    Bey’s color drops like she wants to die on the spot.
    “Don’t worry, I promise to take it easy on you,” I say to Tía Betty as much as Belén.
    “ Gracias, mi hijo ,” Betty says, ushering Belén in and brushing past me.
    The dining room is empty ‘cause we didn’t get a table yet; I walk in there and Bey follows me. Our moms are in the room right next to us, chatting and watching TV.
    “This is so stupid. I can’t believe she’s making me do it.”
    “It ain’t that bad. This neighborhood is fucked up, you might need to use it. Nice sweat suit,” I say, unable to hide my amusement.
    “Don’t make fun of me,” she says, moving her hands across her chest.
    “This is good. Stay like that,” I say and move around behind her. I wrap my arms around hers and squeeze her in a tight grip. She’s so small and her hair smells good enough for me to want to nuzzle my face in it.
    “How’d you shake me if I had you like this?” I ask.
    Belén tries to pull her arms apart and groans at the effort. She doesn’t move an inch even though she’s trying as hard as she can. I can’t help but smile at how cute she is.
    “Do it to me and I’m gonna show you how to get out of it.”
    Belén wraps her