The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Chapter 64

ZANE

I watched her practically sprint out of the library like I was the fucking devil.

The door clicked shut behind her, and for a moment the room was dead silent except for the low hum of the air conditioner.

A knowing smirk tugged at my lips.

Run, baby. Run all you want.

She could pretend she was professional. She could act like she was just here to tutor me. But I saw everything, the way her thighs pressed together under the table, the way her breath hitched when I stared at her mouth, the way her smooth skin turned red every single time I reminded her what my hands felt like on her body.

I understood every single thing she taught me today.

I wasn’t dumb. I just didn’t care about most of this shit unless it gave me an excuse to keep her trapped in a room with me for hours.

But watching her explain poetry with that soft, passionate voice… watching her get all flustered when I twisted her words into something filthy…

Yeah. That shit was addictive.

I leaned back in the chair, staring at the closed door, already imagining what I’d do the next time I got her alone.

I wasn’t done with her.

Not even close.

She thought she could run back to her little safe world with Jason and her innocent little fantasies.

Cute.

I’d let her have her moment.

I stood up, grabbed my phone, and left the library with that same smug grin still playing on my lips.

Astra Hawthorne could try to hide from me.

But she was never getting away.

It was a little after 6 PM when we finished.

I dropped the books on the night stand in my room with a dull thud and rolled my shoulders.

Then I left my room and started walking through the mansion, hands in my pockets.

Trouble.

The nickname popped into my head slowly, like it had been waiting. Because that’s exactly what she was, my sweet little Trouble. Always running, always blushing, always making me lose my fucking mind.

I checked the twin’s room first.

Chapter 64

Mason was back from school, sitting on the edge of the bed talking quietly to his twin. Lucas still looked sleepy but better.

I stepped inside.

“Hey,” I said. “How you feeling, kid?”

Lucas gave me a small smile. “Better… Astra made me soup.”

Mason looked up at me, eyes sharp like always.

I nodded, ruffling Lucas’s hair gently.

“Good. You’ll be fine.”

I paused, then asked casually, “Where is she now?”

Mason didn’t miss a beat. He stared at me for a second like he could see straight through me.

“She went to clean up our playroom,” he said.

I felt his eyes on my back as I turned and left.

The playroom was just a few feet away from their room. I pushed the door open quietly and stepped inside, closing it behind me with a soft click.

And there she was.

Astra was bent over, cleaning up scattered toys and books from the floor. Her knee-length cream gown shifted slightly as she moved, revealing a glimpse of her smooth calves and the lower curve of her knees. Her golden ponytail swayed behind her. hips moving naturally as she hummed a quiet song under her breath.

Holy fuck.

My brain almost short-circuited.

I stood there in silence, watching her. The way she meticulously organized everything, the gentle sway of her full hips, the way the fabric of her gown stretched across her ass every time she reached further.

My cock hardened instantly.

She had no idea I was there.

Just humming softly, completely focused on cleaning up after my brothers like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I leaned against the closed door, arms crossed, eyes locked on her like a predator.

My Trouble.

She bent down a little more, the gown riding higher.

I had to bite back a reaction

But I stayed leaned against the closed door, arms crossed, letting myself enjoy the view for a long moment.

She was still humming softly, completely lost in her little task, ass swaying gently every time she reached for another toy, showing more of that smooth, milky skin I wanted to sink my teeth into.

I couldn’t stay quiet anymore.

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Chapter 64

“Nice view,” I said suddenly, a grin spreading across my face.

Astra gasped sharply and spun around so fast she nearly dropped the stuffed dinosaur in her hand. Her eyes went wide when she saw me standing there.

“Z-Zane!” she stuttered, clutching the toy to her chest like a shield. “How long have you been standing there?!”

I pushed off the door and walked toward her, unable to suppress my grin.

“Long enough,” I murmured. “Long enough to watch you bent over like that, humming and shaking that pretty ass without single clue I was here.”

Her cheeks burned bright red.

I stopped right in front of her, towering over her smaller frame.

“What happened to that famous sixth sense women are supposed to have?” I mocked, tilting my head. “You really didn’t feel me watching you the whole time? Or are you just that fucking oblivious when you’re on your knees?”

She took a small step back, breathing fast.

“I-I was just cleaning…” she whispered, embarrassed.

I reached out and brushed my fingers along her jaw, forcing her to look up at me,

“Yeah? Well next time you decide to clean in a little gown like this…” I leaned down, lips brushing her ear, “make sure you check if I’m around first. Because the next time I catch you bent over like that, I won’t just watch.”

Her breath hitched.

I stepped back with a satisfied smirk, eyes dragging down her body one last time.

“Keep working, Trouble. I’ll be watching.”

Then I turned and left the playroom, leaving her standing there flushed and shaken.

I was heading toward the kitchen when I heard it.

“Why do you keep doing this to me?”

Mom’s voice wavered.

I stopped dead in my tracks. Something ugly twisted in my gut. I turned and walked silently toward the cinema room, where the voices were coming from. The door was slightly ajar.

I looked through the gap.

Elira stood there in her silk nightgown, arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to hold her pieces together. Tears streamed down her face.

Landon stood in front of her, shirtless, only wearing grey sweatpants. His expression was ice-cold, completely detached.

And behind him… Nadine.

One of the kitchen staff. Young. Pretty. Tears running down her cheeks as she clutched the front of her night gown, looking like she wanted the ground to swallow her.

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Chapter 64

It happened again.

My father had fucked another member of the staff.

Again.

Landon’s voice was flat, almost bored.

“Elira, do not make a fuss about this. It means nothing.”

Elira’s face crumpled.

“Means nothing?” she screamed, voice trembling. “You sleep with our staff in our house while I’m upstairs and it means nothing?! How many times, Landon?! How many times have you humiliated me like this?!”

Landon moved fast.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her hard, fingers digging in.

“Never yell at me again,” he snarled. “Do you understand me? You are my wife. Act like it.”

He shoved her back roughly.

Elira stumbled, catching herself on the couch, sobbing quietly.

Landon didn’t even look sorry. He just turned and stalked out of the room without another word.

I stayed hidden in the shadows of the hallway, teeth clenched so hard they ached, fists balled at my sides. Every muscle in my body screamed at me to walk in there and beat the shit out of him.

But I didn’t.

Because if I went in right now, I wouldn’t stop.

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