Page 19 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

Caden takes his eyes off her and gives a hard look at Tanner, who gives it right back. When Caden’s green eyes stop on me, they soften and so do my insides.

“What’s on the agenda today?” Even his tone is softer, and I melt. Like seriously, I’m a puddle on the floor.

“She’s going around and checking each team’s progress.”

His leg bumps against mine under the table and stays there. “Okay, enough fucking around then. Where are we?”

For the next few minutes, we all discuss our project. Angela chimes in with where she and Nico are. Tanner gives her a flirtatious smile, and I want to gag. But otherwise, we’re where we’re supposed to be at this point.

“Mostly because of you,” Caden says. He catches a strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear.

I smile, but I really want to say it’s because of him. If he hadn’t come in here, Tanner would have continued to sabotage my efforts to complete this project. He would have made me so mad or flustered that we would have had to take Ms. Sullivan up on working after school, which was probably his plan all along.

Get me alone when the guys were busy with football practice.

Ms. Sullivan stops at our table. “Angela, why don’t you join me at your desk to discuss your project?”

They walk over to the other table.

Caden tips my chin his way. “How’s Nico?”

I felt my phone vibrate earlier but I haven’t dug it out. “He’s out of surgery and should be home by now.”

“Good.” He glances toward Tanner, who is busy writing something. “You going to his place after school?”

“Kenz is coming with me.”

“Good.” He rubs his thumb over my chin and for a moment, his eyes flare hot.

My insides respond to his heat like they always do.

“Okay, last group.” Ms. Sullivan smiles and sits across from us.

Caden draws away from me reluctantly, and I resist fanning myself to cool off.

“I’m excited to hear what you have for me.” Ms. Sullivan clasps her hands.

Tanner leans back in his chair. Yeah, I kind of figured I’d be the one doing this part.

“We each have different styles. Mine is more realism. Caden’s is more geometric abstraction. Tanner’s is more—” I cut myself off from saying asshole-ish. Not sure Ms. Sullivan would appreciate that.

“Impressionism.” Caden draws the folder in front of him. “The hard part is deciding on a subject matter and then the composition style. But we decided to blend in a little of everything. Obviously, I can’t use my usual medium, but we can pull in metallic colors and clean, crisp lines.”

He shows Ms. Sullivan the work I’ve done.

“For the background, we’ll use subtle shapes to convey the image.” He draws out another paper. “We’ll build ours around Harper’s drawing. She’ll have bold, vibrant colors and details. The colors will all flow together and be reflections of each other, making the piece cohesive.”

Ms. Sullivan grins. “Thank you so much for joining us, Caden. I know Harper put in most of the groundwork with Tanner, but you always make a project sing. I wish you’d reconsider my recommendation for art school.”

Tanner snorts but doesn’t say anything.

Caden gives her a smile. “My parents want me to pursue business.”

“Well, I hope you keep art in your life somehow. Even if it’s a hobby.” Ms. Sullivan stands and claps her hands. “All right class. Continue working on your projects. I can’t wait to see how this turns out.”

CHAPTER 7

The Opening