“You get it,” he says, clutching his chest where his heart is.
“I do,” I agree.
“Jesus, don’t encourage him, Elle.”
Laughing, I nudge Lexington with my shoulder. “You’re gonna hate to learn that once I get a beer or two in me, I’ve been known to mouth off about the genius ofMachinal. Real vibe ruiner, that one.”
“God, you would be perfect for Professor Dupont,” someone says from behind me. “It’s too bad he seems to hate you.”
I turn, coming face-to-face with Sabrina. Like us, she’s not wearing a mask, and there are so few of us down here with bare faces that I can’t shake the odd feeling gripping me.
Percy gives her a dirty look and then saunters off, presumably in search of more sex-capades to leer at.
I lift my chin, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’ve already told you I’m not interested in him, so what do I care if he hates me or not?”
Her mouth turns up at the corners. “You think I don’t notice the way you look at him in class?”
“Sounds like you spend too much time paying attention to me.” I slink closer to her, dropping my gaze over the tartan pants she has on and the oversize sweater that’s falling off one shoulder. Reaching up, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers graze the outer shell. “Are you sure you’re not trying to tell me something?”
She glares. “Youwish, has-been. I’m merely pointing out that your crush on our professor is wasted.”
“Because you want me instead.” Sliding my hand from her ear to her neck, I lean in even more—enough to taste her bubblegum breath. Our lips are centimeters apart. “It’s okay to admit it, you know. I don’t bitethathard.”
Her eyes drop to my mouth and then back up.
She doesn’t immediately respond, which fills my insides with liquid heat. This close, I see the beauty mark beneath her left eye.
Impulsive, reckless behavior like this is what keeps getting me into trouble, but a point needs to be made here. I’m tired of doing this back-and-forth where we don’t get along, and she needs to own up to her feelings if that’s what they are.
I can tell when a person is attracted to me, and she’s been giving that vibe since the first day of class. However badly she might want Sutton, when she doesn’t pull out of my grip, it becomes clear she has other desires as well.
My gaze darts around the room to see if Percy’s come back. I don’t want to hurt his feelings, nor am I actually interested in pursuing Sabrina, but Idowant to disarm her.
This is the quickest way I know how.
A tiny whimper comes from Sabrina’s throat, and I smother a full-blown grin. Her eyes have grown pleading, desperate as I press closer, our chests rubbing together when my hand threads through her hair.
I grip her roots tight, angling her head where I want it.
“Apologize,” I tell her softly. My head is swimming a bit, the general air of sex around us making me hot and dizzy.
Lexington is staring, and we’ve gained a bit of an audience, but it doesn’t stop me.
Irritation boils in my chest, an accumulation of every emotion I’ve had since coming to this town maybe. Or maybe it’s the heady rush of power as this girl bends to my will.
My lips are close. Her breath comes from her mouth in harsh, sporadic bursts.
She edges up, seeking more.
I smirk, tightening my hold on her hair.
“Say you’re sorry, sweetheart,” I whisper.
“I’m sorry,” she replies instantly, eyes wide, like she wasn’t actually planning to say anything at all.
Just before an actual kiss can happen, I withdraw with a satisfied grin.
“Now,” I say, ignoring the stares we’re getting as I cup her cheeks. “Friends?”
