But I can’t look at myself.
I can’t catch my own gaze because of the shame I feel for what I just did.
Because I know that had nothing to do with Patience and me, and everything to do with showing her father who owned his daughter now. I am her master. I am in control. And there is nothing he can do about it.
I’m a bastard. Just like my father.
Waiting in the counselor’s office, I check my cell again to see if Sabella or any of my Elite brothers have texted. But really, that’s a lie. I’m only really hoping for a message from Patience. I shove it back into my jacket when I see there’s no new messages and vow not to be such a fucking pussy anymore. We’ve had two weeks of fucking bliss, no pressure to fulfil the task. Pride has been caught up in his own shit and has left me the fuck alone. I thought I was well and truly free of having to even see the counselor when an email went out weeks ago informing us of her sabbatical. But now, she’s back and wants to see me.
I need to focus on this meeting and on today. Maxwell left me an uplifting note this morning ordering me not to be late to see the school counselor.Fucking prick.
It’s fucking weird sitting here after I’ve figured shit out about Lillian after the charity gig a couple weeks ago.
The door is open when I arrive, and Lillian is standing tall, her black hair clipped up high on her head, talking to a gorgeous girl with a mess of blonde curly hair. She looks familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen her with Lust. She smiles shyly before she walks out, and I can’t stop my gaze from following her.
“Ahem.” Lillian clears her throat, and I turn back to face her. Instead of the look of disgust I expect, she’s smiling widely, almost like she’s cheering me on. She reaches out a hand to me. “Samuel Gunner, let’s formally meet.”
There’s something off with this fucking woman.
I take her hand in mine. Her skin is soft, her nails manicured, and on closer inspection, she’s older than I first thought. She clearly takes care of herself, and if her brother is any indication, she can afford to.
“And you’re Lillian, school counselor, sister of the king of New Orleans, and an Elite player,” I say, getting right to the fucking point. I shake her hand with a smirk, and she holds it a beat too long before releasing it, her eyes glinting with something I can’t put my finger on before gesturing toward her office.
I head inside and take a seat, and she closes the door behind us and sits at the desk. “I’m Mrs. Griffin, but you can call me Lillian. I believe we’re scheduled to meet every other week to discuss your supposed anger issues. But enough of the ruse.” She rolls her eyes.
She folds her hands in her lap as she assesses me, seeing how I’ll react to the comment.
I don’t say anything, waiting for her to continue.
“Do you know what it takes to get into a college like this?”
“I’m in it, aren’t I?” I grunt.
Narrowing her eyes on me, she smiles tightly making her face look fucking weird. Why isn’t it moving?
“Yes, Samuel, you are in it, but don’t think what is given can’t betaken away. We expect the best from our pupils, and for work to be handed in in a timely manner. Insolence will not be tolerated here at St. Augustine.”
Didn’t she say we were dropping the ruse? Why the fuck is she pretending we’re talking about classes when she’s obviously talking about my task.
“I understand what’s expected of me, Mrs. Griffin, and I’ve always earned my place wherever I decide that place is.” Is she trying to intimidate me, because it isn’t working. She’s a fucking twig with shiny hair.
Her smile widens, and she stands, making her way around the desk and perching on the edge of it in front of me, her legs crossing at the ankles and making her pencil skirt ride up a little more around the leg. Normally, this would have been hot as fuck, and I would have had her bent over her desk in a heartbeat, but after Patience, this woman’s pussy doesn’t interest me in the slightest. “Please, Samuel, call me Lillian.”
I nod, feeling the muscles in my jaw ticking.
“You look…irritated, Samuel,” she croons.
I let my gaze travel up her thigh slowly, and then to her face. “Not at all. I’d just like to get to class. I’m behind and need to catch up. I had a late night working,” I say, implying I’m talking about my task.
Fucking Patience instead of breaking her heart will wear anyone out, I think bitterly.
Every minute that’s passed since first being inside Patience has left me more and more confused about my feelings for her. She’s all I think about. I want to eat, drink, and breathe her, and I have for the last two blissful weeks. To be honest, I haven’t thought much about The Elite or my task since that first night with Patience. Every moment has been with her. Either fucking her or thinking about fucking her. I’ve been lost in Patience, and yet I feel anything but lost for the first time in years. It’s confusing and bewildering, but I’ve decided to go along with it. I’ll fuck Patience out of my system if that’s what it takes.
Lillian studies me for a couple silent beats. “Tell me, how are you finding your classwork?”
“What do you mean?” I ask with a huff, knowing perfectly well she’s talking about my task. My anger spikes. It feels wrong to talk about it with this woman I barely know.
“Have you made any progress, Samuel? Or do you need some extra lessons to help you accomplish your work?” She says it in a way that’s almost seductive, and I frown. She crosses and uncrosses her ankles, and I stare up at her completely un-moved by her obvious seduction technique.
