Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 858

After that small episode, Juniper's life fell into a simple, predictable rhythm: school, the dining hall, and home.

Occasionally, when Shanley wanted a home-cooked meal at his family's estate, he would coax and wheedle until she agreed to come with him. His excuse: he didn't deserve to eat if he went home alone.

"You poor thing, Mr. Schwartz," Juniper joked from her seat in the car, legs crossed as she played a game on her phone.

"I know, right?" Shanley leaned over to look at her screen, seizing the opportunity to steal a quick kiss on her cheek. He sounded aggrieved. "I was thinking of secretly getting a DNA test, but then I saw a photo of my dad and me…"

"?" Juniper's gaze shifted from her phone to Shanley's face.

"I gave up," Shanley continued, a smile playing on his lips. "I look exactly like he did when he was young."

"Oh." Juniper knew it was a lame joke, but she let out a small, involuntary laugh anyway.

"Happy now?" Seeing her eyes crinkle, Shanley couldn't resist tilting her chin up. "Enjoying yourself?" he asked fondly.

"It's alright." Juniper put down her phone and mimicked his earlier action, playfully poking his Adam's apple.

"Don't move." His fingers quickly closed around hers, his eyes darkening. A slight, dangerous curve formed on his lips. "Or you'll have to face the consequences."

"?" Juniper blinked, not understanding what he meant. He was hers, wasn't he? What part of him was off-limits? She was going to touch him anyway.

Defiantly, Juniper poked him a few more times. It wasn't until she noticed a... distinct change in the area just below his belt buckle that she understood. Paired with the deep, intense look in his eyes and the way his breathing had quickened…

Oh. Realization dawned, and Juniper snatched her hand back, sliding discreetly to the far corner of the seat. Squeezing her eyes shut, she played dead. "So tired… sleepy now."

"Juniper…" Shanley gently touched her hand, his warm breath fanning across her ear. His voice was like a siren's call, practically dripping with seduction.

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