“You are running routes too fast for me to keep up, Ten.” I ran my fingers through the ends of my ponytail. “Um, I tutor other people besides you.”
“Stop that.”
My fingers stopped moving automatically. “Stop—”
“Stop tutoring other people. I don’t like sharing what’s mine.” He glanced over his shoulder. “With anyone,” he rumbled darkly.
“You’re an arrogant dick,” I snapped at him. “I amnotyours, asshole. You are so ridiculously egotistical.”
He grinned at me. “I was right, you need to breathe. Which is why you need to come out with me tonight.”
My jaw dropped. I genuinely couldn’t keep up with this guy. “Excuse me?”
“Party. It’s just a couple of beers, a few teammates. Nothing crazy.” He shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world to invite the dean’s daughter to a team party. The only parties I attended were ones hosted by the college itself. “Come with me.”
I laughed, sharp and disbelieving. “Are you insane? Do youwantme murdered by my father?” Wasn’t he in trouble with his team? “Aren’t you on, like, probation or something because of the fight on Saturday?”
“Probation? No.” He gave me an unreadable look. “Anyways, this is teambuilding, my coaches would approve.”
“Would they?” I challenged him. “Because my dad willnotapprove if I go to a party with you.”
“Relax, Sav.” His grin finally broke through, reckless and dazzling. “What he doesn’t know won’t kill him.”
And the worst part was... I could already feel myself considering it.
“Are you allowed to drink on those painkillers?” I asked him, not prepared for the way his jaw tightened. “What? Did I say something?”
“No.” He smiled at me, but even I knew it was forced. “I’m allowed to drink,” he said with an eye roll and a small laugh. “Though I don’t really drink a lot. Five a.m. starts aren’t a friend of beer.” His shoulders dropped a little. “So... you coming with me?”
“You’re not going to get me in trouble?”
“Will you relax?” His fingers brushed against my cheek as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, light but deliberate, like he knew exactly how much it would rattle me. “I give you permission to stop worrying. Come with me.”
My pulse stuttered. “You don’t get to give me permission.”
“Don’t I?” His smile curved, dangerous in its softness. “But you like the idea more than you want to admit.”
I folded my arms, desperate to put up some kind of shield. “I have class tomorrow.” I’d already missed two this afternoon.
“Classes will still be there. You know what won’t?” He leaned in just enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him. “A night where you forget you’re the dean’s daughter and just... live a little.”
I hated that he was right. I hated even more that I wanted to say yes. “Dante...” My voice cracked, a warning wrapped in a plea.
“Savannah,” he countered, quiet, confident, his gaze locked on mine. “Stop telling yourself no when you want to say yes.”
Damn him, because I did want to. More than was reasonable. More than was smart. I swallowed, pulse tripping over itself. “Fine. But if this ends with trouble, I’m blaming you.”
His grin broke wide and triumphant, like he’d just scored the game-winning touchdown. “Deal.”
I shook my head, exhaling a laugh that sounded too shaky to be convincing. “I need to go home first.”
“Change into something—” his eyes swept over me with a slow appraisal that sent heat straight to my cheeks — “more comfortable... more you.”
“I know you’re not trying to tell me what to wear, Dante Spence,” I snapped, but my blush betrayed me.
He only chuckled, backing away with that infuriating ease because he hadn’t doubted I’d say yes. That was the most infuriating part. “I’ll swing by and pick you up at seven. Don’t flake, Sav.”
As if I even could.
