The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

ASTRA

This had to be hell.

The bus rumbled down the highway, and I was trapped against the window with Zane Ashton taking up way too much space beside me. His thigh pressed firmly against mine, solid and warm. Every bump made our arms brush.

I kept my eyes glued to my clipboard, but my heart was pounding so hard I was scared he could hear it.

Zane leaned back lazily, legs spread wide like he owned the bus. One arm rested along the back of our seats, fingers hovering dangerously close to my shoulder.

“You’re really going to pretend I’m not here for the whole ride?” he asked, voice low and rough.

I didn’t look at him. “Yes.”

He chuckled darkly. The sound sent goosebumps racing across my skin.

“Cute.”

Priya had betrayed me. She was now three rows back, grinning every time she glanced our way.

Zane shifted, pressing his knee harder into my thigh. I tried to move away, but there was nowhere to go.

“Stop that,” I whispered.

“Stop what?” His voice dripped with mockery. “I’m just sitting here.”

He leaned in closer, breath hot against my ear.

“You weren’t complaining when my hand was on your thigh in the lab. Or when I pinned you against the wall.”

My face burned.

“That was different,” I hissed.

“Was it?” His fingers brushed the back of my shoulder. “Or are you just lying to yourself again?”

I shivered.

I made the mistake of turning to glare at him.

His green eyes were already locked on me, dark, intense, half-lidded. Messy hair, silver hoop glinting, jaw tight like he was barely holding himself together.

He looked terrifying.

And far too attractive.

“Keep looking at me like that,” he murmured, voice dropping dangerously low, “and I might stop pretending to be nice.”

My breath caught.

“Like what?”

“Like you want me to fuck you right here.”

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11:52 Fri, Jul 3

Chapter 41

Before I could respond, the bus hit a hard bump

Zane’s hand dropped heavily onto my thigh, fingers spreading wide and possessive, gripping the soft flesh. Not gentle. Not sweet. Just heavy and Claiming.

I froze..

“Zane.. “I choked out.

He didn’t move his hand. His grip only tightened.

“What?” he asked, voice deceptively calm. “You gonna cry about it?”

Every nerve in my body felt like it was on fire. I glanced nervously at the other students, but most were distracted.

I grabbed his wrist, trying to push him off.

He didn’t let me.

Instead, he leaned in until his lips brushed my ear.

“Stop fucking running from me, Astra. You live in my house. You breathe my air and now you think you can hide on this

bus?”

His fingers dug deeper into my thigh.

“You can’t hide from me anymore.”

Tears stung my eyes.

“You’re scaring me,” I whispered.

Zane smiled slowly, cold and Cruel.

“Good.”

I swallowed hard, voice shaking.

“Please… I don’t want problems with your girlfriend.”

The atmosphere around us shifted instantly.

Zane’s expression turned ice-cold. His hand tightened painfully on my thigh for a second before he forced it to relax.

“Maya’s not my fucking girlfriend,” he said flatly, voice low and venomous.

I blinked.

“She was.”

“She isn’t now.” His jaw flexed. “And if she threatens you again, tell me.”

The dangerous calm in his voice made my stomach twist.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said quickly. “Just leave it alone.”

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