“What did you say?” I ask, my voice hardening.
Darra freezes, her gaze returning to mine. She flashes me a dazzling smile as she flips her hair over one shoulder.
“I said it would be a shame not to speakto her, clear the air,” she replies, not missing a beat.
I frown.
“I will,” I say, watching Darra’s eyes harden just a fraction before they sparkle up at me once more.
“Oh, I forgot,” she says, her arms snaking up and around my neck, pulling my face towards hers.
Our lips touch, and I return her kiss. When she pulls away, she bats her eyelashes dramatically and giggles.
“See you later, sexy.”
It’s my turn to grin as I watch her walk off, hips swaying.
“You most certainly will,” I say before turning and walking into the classroom.
I pass one table.
“You’re one lucky bastard, Frazer,” one of my peers says, whose name I can’t recall.
His gaze remains fixed on the doorway, where I stood moments ago alongside Darra.
I shake my head and shrug.
Damn, I miss what Professor Dunn said when telling Penelope why he paired us together, although I soon get my answer.
“It’s okay, Prof, I’ll partner Elijah, if Dawson doesn’t want him,” another member of the class says as I make my way into the room towards Penelope.
When I locate the voice, she grins at me, flipping her hair.
“I’m also happy to partner him,” several of the other guys add.
God, the Frazer name can be a real pain in the ass. If I was Joe Blogs, no one would want to partner me.
“I’m happy, thanks,” I say, although the look Penelope is shooting me tells me she doesn’t share my sentiment.
I finally arrive in the far corner where Penelope is sitting. We’ve shared a number of classes in our first semester but have had little interaction. The look she shoots me tells me I should keep my distance. Until recently, my life worked. However, my last grade was different. I’ve stretched myself too thin, and I need a partner with a strong work ethic. Will get down to business, not wanting to know the ins and outs of my family or social life. Penelope Dawson gives me no inkling she’d be interested in what my favourite grilled sandwich is, or my favourite washing powder. No, Penelope Dawson is dedicated to her work, and that’s what I need.
“Hi,” I say, positioning myself on the chair beside her.
She shoots me a sideways look that would kill me if looks could genuinely kill.
“I think we seem to have got off on the wrong track,” I say, keeping my voice low, not wanting to create an even bigger scene than has already occurred.
“Um, no. I don’t think we have,” Penelope says, staring at her book, ignoring me.
“Look, I’ve clearly offended you. Whatever it is, I’d like to apologise.”
My dad raised me to be a diplomat. Whatever rod has positioned itself up Penelope Dawson’s back passage. I can’t fix it unless I know what it is.
Professor Dunn takes that moment to begin talking about the assignment, so we have to stop talking. The hostilityresonating from my partner is almost palpable. It’s only at the end, when she gets up to leave, I snag her arm.
“Wait,” I say as the rest of the group file out of the room. Several glancing our way.
Her eyes drop to where I’m holding her, and I release it.
