The Bad Girl: A High School Bully Romance (Westbrook Three Book 2) Read online

  Contents

  Preface

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Epilogue

  Note from the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Also by A.D. McCammon

  About the Author

  The Bad Girl

  Copyright © by Amber McCammon

  All rights reserved.

  This book contains material protected under International and federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either products of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

  ASIN: B0881YB7FV

  ISBN: 9798665218960

  Cover Design: Pink Elephant Designs

  Editing: Christina Hart of Savage Hart Book Services

  Formatting: Pink Elephant Designs

  Proofreading: Amanda Cuff of Savage Hart Book Services

  “And then her heart changed, or at least she understood it; and the winter passed, and the sun shone upon her.

  -J.R.R. Tolkien

  Chapter One

  Present

  AIDAN

  I scan the crowd before I swipe a flute of champagne from the silver tray suspended in the air beside me, although no one at this shindig cares that I’m underage. Even if they did, everyone here is too wrapped up in themselves to notice. The large ballroom is packed full of rich, entitled people pretending to care about being charitable. This benefit is nothing more than an excuse for them to get all dressed up and mingle with their friends. As a bonus, they might even find new ways to get richer. Because that’s what everyone here needs—more money.

  Groaning to myself, I chug the champagne then replace the empty one on the tray and reach for another. If I’m going to make it through this night, I’ll need as many of these as I can get my hands on.

  The server snickers, drawing my attention. I find Cole Masterson, standing there smirking at me in his black vest, and anger bubbles in my gut. He’s been on my shit list for weeks now, ever since he walked away with my date at a friend’s party. My teammates had all silently judged me as I stood by and did nothing to stop him.

  “You might want to take it easy. I hear this stuff goes straight to your head,” he mocks.

  My jaw tics, but I don’t bother to acknowledge his comment before downing the second glass. There’s no point. No matter how badly I want to, I can’t tell him to fuck off. Cole might be the friendliest and most tolerable of the infamous Westbrook Three, but he still isn’t someone you want to piss off. There’s a lot of rage lurking behind his playful persona.

  Besides, it’s not as if Cole forced my date to go with him. She went willingly. Violet isn’t my girlfriend. And it’s clear now that she never will be. I knew it was a long shot when I asked for her number. The rumors about her involvement with the most ruthless member of Cole’s pack—Thatcher Michaelson—were already swirling around the school. But I didn’t want to believe any of it. It didn’t make any sense that someone like Violet St. James could fall for someone like him.

  But, looks like I’m the fool—again.

  It seems as though I have a knack for going after the wrong girls. My relationship history is sad and depressing. I’ve been cheated on, lied to, and used more times than I care to admit.

  On the bright side, I’ve only had my heart broken once. It just so happened to be the first girl I gave it to.

  “Yeah…you’re right,” Cole goes on, a smug look on his face as I place the second empty glass back on the tray. “It’s probably best you’re a little liquored up. Ari isn’t going to be happy you’re here.”

  My body stiffens with the wave of anxiety and anticipation coursing through me. It’s not like I didn’t suspect she’d be lurking around here somewhere. This is her father’s hotel and fundraiser, after all. They’re probably the only ones here who truly give a damn about the cause. This event is important to them, and I’m hoping she’ll let her little vendetta against me go. If only for tonight.

  Cole chuckles when I walk away without a word, making my way through the sea of fancy dresses and tuxedos. My mother is chatting up a couple of old ladies who are dripping with diamonds; and she tries to wave me over, but I quickly dart out the door leading to the small balcony attached to the ballroom. I’m not in the mood to play my role of the perfect son right now.

  The night air breezes around me as I walk to the edge of the terrace, letting myself get lost in the bright lights and noise of the city below. One more year of this place and these people. One more year of being known as Declan Shaw’s son and heir to the Shaw fortune. Then I’m getting far away from Tennessee. Anywhere that isn’t here. Anywhere I can just be Aidan. No more constant pressure from the heavy crown on my head. No more constant scrutiny from people who expect me to live up to a legacy I don’t even want.

  Someone clears their throat from behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. As I turn around, I’m met with a familiar pair of stormy eyes, and my chest tightens.

  Once upon a time, Arwen Sullyvan was my best friend. Back when she was the new girl in town.

  Before she’d stolen my heart, only to break it.

  Before she decided I was her enemy.

  My gaze roams over her, my traitorous body humming with desire as I drink her in. She’s wearing an elegant purple gown—the color likely chosen in honor of her mother. The deep neckline accentuates her curvy chest, while one of her insanely lanky legs peeks out of the slit on the side. Her long, dark hair is pulled into a high ponytail, with wisps of wavy tendrils framing her flawless face. There’s a shiny gloss on her full lips, and a dark purple eyeshadow framing her intense eyes.

  By the time I meet her glare again, it’s murderous. With a sigh and a shake of my head, I
turn my attention back to the Nashville skyline.

  “What do you want?” My voice sounds every bit as weary as I’m feeling.

  She moves closer, her sweet scent engulfing me, and my heart thunders in my chest. When she first started acting as if I didn’t exist, it felt like torture. But I soon learned it was much better than the alternative.

  The smack of her lips seems to echo around us, even with the bustle of the traffic on the street. “For starters, I’d like to know what the hell you think you’re doing here?”

  For years, we’ve had an unspoken agreement to stay in our own corners and out of each other’s lives as much as possible. But when Arwen’s father decided to host a dinner to raise money for cancer research, he enlisted my parents to help him pad the guest list. There was no way they were going to let me sit out of an event they helped organize. It’s all about appearances for the wealthy. And my family is the wealthiest in attendance tonight.

  “It’s not like I had a choice,” I grit. “Trust me, I’d rather be doing just about anything than talking to you right now.”

  “Oh, ouch.” Arwen laughs before tsking her tongue. “My, my, someone sure is feeling brave tonight. Does this newfound courage have anything to do with you being butt hurt over the Violet situation?”

  My eyes narrow as I cut them at her. “Pretty sure I’m not the only one who was starting to fall for Violet. I’ve seen the way you look at your new bestie.”

  Arwen’s nostrils flare as she sucks in a deep breath, but her features are smooth and indifferent by the time she releases it. “You do have impeccable taste in girls, I’ll give you that,” she continues. “Too bad you can’t manage to keep any of them.”

  Her eyebrows lift as she fights back a smile, and I run my restless hands through my hair before stuffing them in my pockets.

  I should ignore her and hope she walks away before things get out of hand. But I’ve had my fill of other people pushing me around lately.

  “Maybe it’d be easier if someone stopped stealing them from me,” I retort.

  She laughs. “You do realize you never stood a chance with her, right? She’s been Thatcher’s since the second they collided.”

  I wonder if even that would stop her—the third and prettiest member of the Westbrook Three—considering her close-knit ties with Thatcher.

  Since Arwen decided I was enemy number one, she’s pilfered three of my girlfriends. Even though I was the one who got cheated on, I still felt sorry for them. Arwen has mastered the art of seduction. Her beauty is unparalleled, but her heart is black as night. She never had a real interest in any of them—each fling was merely to punish me.

  She hmphs, her plump lips curling into a sultry smile. “And, I never stole anyone from you,” she adds, and my body goes rigid as she slides her tiny frame between me and the banister, invading my space. “They weren’t your property. You didn’t own them.”

  She relaxes into the railing, pushing her breasts forward as she rests her elbows on the ledge. There’s only a sliver of space left between us, making it harder for me to breathe. This is her favorite intimidation tactic, which is exactly why I refuse to back away. Not even as her stormy eyes pierce mine or when her painted fingertips trail down the lapel of my suit jacket.

  “And believe me,” she purrs, “they were very willing participants when they came with me.”

  White hot jealousy and burning desire heat the blood in my veins. She’s delighted in torturing me for years. All because I’d fallen for her. You would think I’d have learned my lesson.

  But I still want her.

  It’s impossible for me to hate Arwen—no matter how much shit she throws at me. Our history and my feelings for her still linger.

  My soul still yearns for the girl I fell in love with, but the one standing here now is merely a shadow of her.

  “What happened to you?” I ask her. “When did you become this person?”

  She stands tall, a storm of emotion swirling in her eyes as she grabs ahold of my jacket, yanking on it until my body is pressed to hers. “Don’t think for a second you know the first thing about me, Shaw.”

  She always throws my last name at me when she’s trying to be particularly cruel. Arwen is one of the few people who know how much it bothers me. I hate being attached to that name and all the baggage it comes with.

  “I did once. I knew you better than anyone.”

  She snorts. “Don’t kid yourself. You were only someone to pass the time with. I found you amusing, until I didn’t.” She releases her hold on my jacket and steps back, her features sharp with spite as she smooths out my lapels. “You ended up being quite the disappointment, really. Given your pathetic track record, I’m betting you don’t even know how to properly kiss someone. You probably forgot everything I taught you. Such a waste.”

  I shake my head, grinding my molars as I suck in an agitated breath. We were clueless kids back then, both trying to figure things out. The first time we kissed, she acted like she was doing me a favor. But her trepidation had given her away. We learned what we were doing together, each kiss we shared better than the last.

  “Taught me?” I say, her eyes flaring as I lean in, my hand now propped on the railing next to her. It’s a risky move, getting close to her like this. I’m tired of her always having the upper hand. “Don’t flatter yourself. We were both clueless back then. I assure you I’m well versed in the art of kissing these days.”

  My gaze flickers to her mouth, and she wets her lips, taunting me. The simple act makes me desperate to see if she still tastes the same.

  Arwen tilts her head, wearing a condescending smirk as she reaches up to run her fingers through my hair. “Oh, poor, sweet Aidan. We both know that isn’t the case. If it were, your girls wouldn’t keep coming to me.”

  She shifts, connecting her body to mine as she wraps her arms around my neck. The intimate gesture causes my pulse to race. It’s meant to distract me while she goes in for the kill. I knowingly walk into her trap—too weak to put a stop to it.

  “I’ll tell you what…” Her breath fans my face as she pulls me closer. It smells of peppermint with a hint of whiskey. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a small flask hidden on her body somewhere. “For old times’ sake, I’ll give you a quick lesson. All you have to do is promise not to waste it on someone like Samantha.”

  My forehead bunches with confusion. I have no intentions of ever kissing Samantha.

  She’s the type of girl who looks at me with stars in her eyes, never really seeing the real me. But if I didn’t know better, I’d think I’d just heard a hint of jealousy in Arwen’s tone. No way am I going to correct her assumption.

  Taking my silence as an agreement to her terms, she smiles and then leans in to whisper in my ear, “It’s all about the buildup. Those moments leading up to the kiss.” Her tongue darts out, teasing my earlobe before giving it a light nibble. “It’s about making them want you more than they want their next breath.”

  God help me, that’s precisely how I’m feeling. Right now, my urge to devour her is stronger than my drive to survive. Her hand dives into my hair, tugging to gain better access. This time I feel the warmth of her tongue as it glides up my neck, stopping right below my ear where she places a light kiss.

  “This spot here,” she says, her breath dancing over the wet flesh and leaving goosebumps in its wake, “drives girls insane.”

  Every part of my being is dying to touch her, but I keep one hand in my pocket and the other tightly gripping the rail. Her mouth moves to my jawline, sucking and kissing as she trails her way to my lips. She loosens her hold on my hair, her hands cupping my face as she leans back to meet my gaze. Her pupils are larger, her face flushed. I’m not the only one feeling this.

  “Okay, young Jedi.” She drops her hands to my chest, patting me dismissively. “I think that’s enough for tonight.”

  When she tries to walk away, my other hand shoots out, boxing her in. Our little game has officially gone to
o far. I’m acting on impulse, not considering the consequences of my actions.

  “Have you lost your mind? Do you want me to kick your ass?” she hisses.

  Her words convey the normal contempt I’ve become accustomed to over the years, but her eyes are telling a different story entirely. I imagine it’s similar to what she’s seeing in mine. A glaze of lust, coupled with a frenzy of fear.

  “You promised me a lesson in kissing, not teasing,” I tell her. “You know what I think? I think you’re afraid. You’re scared that little black heart of yours might actually feel something for—”

  Her lips slam into mine with a punishing force, her tongue demanding as it tangles with my own. My hands move to her back, holding her in place to ensure she sees this through. This kiss is nothing like the kind we used to share. This one is skilled, concise, tantalizing. It’s years of resentment filtered into intense passion.

  This isn’t forgiveness, it’s a battle.

  She sucks my bottom lip in between her teeth as she ends the kiss, biting down until she breaks the skin.

  “Jesus!” I yelp, pulling away and licking the blood from my lip. “What the fuck was that?”

  “That was me teaching you another valuable lesson.” Her mouth curls into a wicked grin. “The next time you try to cage in a wild animal, remember that they bite.”