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But what hold do I have on him? We’re nothing.Stupid Lexy, why would you think a kiss or a few poems and letters would mean as much to him as they did to you?

A flash of pain tunnels through my chest and I look away, barely mustering a smile when Cleo glides out of the cafe and Ethan sits back down.

“Let’s begin.” He takes out his notepad.

The anger boils over and I grab his glass of water and chug down a few gulps. “Seriously? You aren’t going to address that?” I point toward the door.

“What that? There’s nothing to address. Cleo and I are friends, and even if we aren’t, it’s none of your business. Jealousy doesn’t look good on you.”

“You asshole!” Stubborn, beautiful, infuriating asshole. I take a deep breath. Blowing up won’t help anything.

I turn toward him, finding his face annoyingly calm. “What are we doing, Ethan?”

“I’m helping you with your finance class as a favor to your brother.”

“You’re using Liam as an excuse now?”

“It’s true, isn’t it?” He arches his brow, an arrogant glint in his eyes. “Why else would I spend my rare downtime helping a college student?”

A college student.My mouth drops open.How dare he?

I’ve never thought of Ethan as one of those rich guys from my family’s circles—cocky, entitled, convinced they own the world simply by existing. But right now, he’s certainly acting like one. A fucking Anderson unfurling his wings and looking down on us mere mortals. I never imagined my gentle keeper, my soulful Delaney, would have this side to him.

“You wouldn’t have agreed to tutor me unless you wanted to.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re my best friend’s sister, and that’s why I’m helping you.”

My phone buzzes in my bag. I ignore it and instead lean closer to him. “Really? That’s all there is to it?”

His nostrils flare as I shorten our distance. He grows rigid but doesn’t back up or move away from me. Damn stubborn man.

“So you won’t care if I see anyone?”

His eyes darken and a vein in his temple pulses.

“Kiss anyone?” I continue, my thigh pressed against his under the table. His breath hitches.

Then I graze my lips against his ear. “Fuck anyone?”

He growls, the deep rumbly sound making me smile. I pull back, finding his face mottled with anger, his hands clenched on top of his lap. “You wouldn’t dare.”

My phone buzzes and this time, I pick it up. “Hello?”

“Hey, Lexy. It’s Dayton. I sent you a message earlier but thought I should call instead. You free this weekend? Want to grab a coffee?”

“Hey, Dayton!” Keeping my eyes on Ethan, I watch his countenance darkening.

“Don’t you dare,”he mouths.

I grin broadly.I win, Ethan Anderson.

“Sure, Dayton. What time were you thinking? I’ll bring the drive you left at my place.”

Ethan hisses under his breath, and I bite back a smile.

Sitting back, I twirl a lock of hair, admiring the handiwork I’ve made of the cocky man from a few moments ago. His tall frame is twitching with fury. He grabs his water and chugs it down before slamming the glass back on the table, drawing attention to us.

He flags down a waiter for another glass. And when he gets it, he downs that one too.