Page 12 of Give In

“So, how do you know him?” Tonia asked.

“We have Political Theory together. We’ve never really talked, except when he asked for my notes.”

“Ohhh, the old ‘I need the notes’ excuse. Riiiight,” she drawled, adding an exaggerated wink, making us both laugh. “Isn’t Political Theory with the intellectually deep—and deeply sexy—Caine?”

The bastard.

“That’s the one,” I murmured.

“Hell, if I didn’t think I’d flunk right out, I’d totally take his class.”

I snorted. “I’m sure that wouldn’t look suspicious at all. Every music major needs to learn the difference between capitalism and socialism.”

Her brows furrowed before she shook her head. “Yup, I’d flunk.” Mindful of her nails, she carefully stood. “I’ve gotta run, but I’ll let you know if I hear more about Brooks. Want me to work my wing-woman magic?”

“I’m good.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t seem like my skills are needed anyway. You’ve got it all under control.”

I watched as she headed to her room to finish getting ready for a fun night. Once she was out of view, I looked down at the notes I had spread on the couch and all the tabs I had opened on my laptop so I could complete my work.

Yup.

Totally under control.

*******

Damien

Can I hit a student?

I can’t, but it’d be worth it right now.

Brooks fucking Crosby was sitting next to her again. I knew they were messaging on their laptops. He’d type then wait. She’d smile a small smile, biting her lip as she read and responded. He’d watch her, staring at her lush, full bottom lip. Then she’d turn and smile at him, her soft, lilting giggle travelling through the room straight to me.

She was beautiful always. Dancing with her damn mask in place, she was sexy. When she was relaxed and smiled, though, her face lit up and I couldn’t breathe. I wanted her to smile at me. I wanted to make her laugh.

I wanted to force a reaction, but each time I tried, I got less and less from her.

When I’d come out of the private room on Friday to see her already on to the next dance, I’d known better than to stick around. Seeing her come out with some other guy? Knowing she’d been touching him?

I couldn’t.

Not without spending a night—or longer—behind bars.

Giving the bartender Eden’s tip had been an option, but before I’d been able to make my way through the crowd, another idea had hit me.

I’d thought for sure when Eden found the money in her mailbox, she’d lose her damn mind. I’d been hard—fucking aching—waiting for her to chew me out. To shoot fire at me. To do something.

She hadn’t.

Her expression had been stoic as she’d shoved the cash into her backpack.

I’d skipped seeing her on Saturday just so I could fuck with her at school, and it’d been for nothing.

I needed to back away from Eden. And I was intent on doing that…

Until I saw her again.