Truth is, I do it because she’s always seen through the facade.Saw me at my lowest and, wildly enough, never judged me for it. Can’t say I’m used to that, or people knowing things that they don’t rub in your face later. She offered to help, albeit for a favor, but she doesn’t hold it over my head. So now, with each passing day, I want less and less to have anything to do withmaking her suffer.
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” she taunts, that wicked smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.
God, she’s infuriating. And fuck if she isn’t sexy as hell when she’s being a menace. And then she’s bending ever so slightly to pick up the laundry I knocked over.
“You’re going to help or keep staring like a weirdo?” She sets the bin upright and frustratingly tosses a garment inside.
Stepping closer, I continue watching as Sam yanks up a handful of sweaters and stuffs them in the bin along with the rest. Then she’s on the move, dragging the heavy gray container behind her. I glance around once more before following her into the laundry room.
Sam grunts as she flings the basket in front of the washing machines. She doesn’t notice I’m behind her, so I stand there for a moment, just watching her.
“You finally want to tell me what you were looking for in the admin office?”
Sam startles, spinning to face me, but the moment her eyes settle on mine she relaxes some. I don’t know if I should be pissed or flattered that my presence no longer rattles her. The latter would mean this dynamic between us has definitely shifted.
It’s not all in my head. She came to me when she needed help, let me touch her even though she claims to be disgusted by me. It means that kiss interrupted her spirit just as much as it did mine.
“Excuse me.” She frowns and returns to stuffing uniforms into the machines.
“The other night. What were you looking for?”
She peers back at me, a crease forming above her brows. The hesitation is evident, and I can see the wheels turning behind her eyes. She sucks in a breath, fidgeting from one foot to the other.
Looking her over again, I step closer. “I committed a crime for you. Risked expulsion. The least you can do is tell me what you were looking for.”
She snaps her head to me, lips pressed tight as if something I said was crazy.
“You and I both know you weren’t getting expelled. And the crime was your idea.”
“Doesn’t erase the fact that I did it for you.”
“It’s an even exchange. You helped me and I tutor you.” She continues working.
I’m close now, barely half a foot between us now. She feels me there, I can tell from the way her shoulders tense and her spine straightens. Just like the night in the utility closet the moment she felt me near. She can tell herself she doesn’t like me all she wants, but her body definitely has a mind of its own.
“I’d hardly call breaking and entering even with a couple of study sessions. What were you looking for?”
Sam faces me, searching my face, but doesn’t answer me.
“So, you just used me?” I tip my head. “Cool.”
“I wasn’t trying to use you.” Her eyes soften.
“Then tell me.”
Sam sucks in a breath, staring at me a minute longer. “I told you I had questions about my scholarship.”
I stare at her collarbone and bring my thumb up to stroke the place where I left my mark.
“And you thought my father might have something to do with it.”
A shiver runs through her at my touch, and my cock jumps knowing I affect her. Still touching her soft flesh, I meet her eyes again.
Why is she so fucking tempting?
“Well? What did you find out?”
She swallows. “There never was a scholarship. Someone paid for me to be here.”
