“What makes you think this could be the rebels?” His voice began to sound impatient, probably irritated at me for daydreaming.
“Obviously because I’m a mind reader.” When Julian didn’t laugh, I continued. “They said as much.” I changed my voice to try to mimic that of the one I heard. “Anyone against the council. So…” I gestured out as if to say duh.
Julian’s eyes narrowed into slits. “I could do without the attitude.”
“Oh, there are quite a few things you could do without,” I shot back with a sarcastic drawl. “I’d be happy to make you a list.”
“If the next word out of your mouth refers to a stick—”
I opened my mouth to say as much.
Julian’s hand clamped down over my mouth. “Not. Another. Word.”
I snapped my mouth shut and shrugged as I stood from his chair. “Anyway, I have to go read this boring ass Econ book that apparently will prepare me to handle my fortune in the future.”
“You shouldn’t take your studies so lightly.”
Call it immaturity or lingering jealousy over the professor earlier that forced my hand in what I did next.
Stopping in front of him, my fist shot out toward his gut. Surprisingly, this time Julian snatched my wrist, twisted it behind me back, and pushed me face down on the desk. I shoved against his hold, but his body pressed firmly against mine.
Under normal circumstances, I would be able to get out the hold, but the hard press of his hips against my ass made me freeze. The position was almost identical to one we’d been in a year ago for a completely different reason. The memory hit me so hard, I gasped.
His breath had been hot on my neck, matching his firm, strong strokes. The table had thudded against the wall of the abandoned warehouse. My restrained cries of pleasure, trying not to lead those we hunted to us.
Julian must have realized it too because he stiffened and then released me, stepping back several steps.
Heart thudding in my chest, I lifted myself off the desk, turning slowly until our eyes met. He might have caught himself, but he couldn’t hide the heat in his eyes. He still wanted me, even if it was just his body.
The tension in the room could have been cut with a knife. A sound outside the room broke it, and Julian was on the move.
“I’ve got work to do,” he commented before he dropped into the seat I vacated, reorganizing the pens I’d messed up.
Knowing I was dismissed, I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the door. My eyes lingered on his bent head for a moment before shutting the door behind me.
Determined to erase the interaction from my mind, I shifted my bag up further on my shoulder and headed toward the cafeteria. If Tate checked, I wouldn’t have to lie to him about getting a snack.
Stepping around a corner, I almost walked into Kyren standing there. “Oh, Kyren.” I cocked my head to the side, peering up slightly at him. “You should wear a bell or something. One of these days, I’m going to run right into you.”
“One could hope.”
I blinked up at Kyren, not sure if he was joking or not. “Well, I’m heading to get a snack.” I pointed past him and then started that way.
Kyren followed a few steps behind me.
“Are you going to the cafeteria too?” I asked, even though he had been going in the completely opposite direction a moment before.
“Yes.”
We walked a few steps in silence before Kyren grabbed the strap of my bag. I stopped and frowned, glancing from the strap of the bag to Kyren. He didn’t give me a chance to protest before he took my bag and looped it over his head. My beat-up bag looked out of place against his fashionable clothing.
“Uh… thanks.”
Kyren inclined his head.
Then we were walking again. After a few minutes, Kyren spoke.
“That professor…” Kyren began, his eyes focused on me. “He’s more than acquaintance, isn’t he?”
