Page 10 of Devil on Skates

IRINA

THE LIbrARY HAS BASICALLY become my safe haven, because it’s the one spot where I can just bury myself in my studies without feeling like I’m constantly under a microscope.

Surrounded by textbooks and research papers, I’m just another student trying to get through the semester, not my dad’s daughter or Keith’s maybe-girlfriend.

I settle into my favorite corner by the big windows, my notes spread out on the table. Then my phone buzzes with a text from Keith.

I’m on your campus. Where are you? Need a break?

That totally throws off my perfectly planned study session. Keith almost never comes here because I always go to him, or we meet at some place he picks. Him showing up here without warning feels like crossing a line and throwing off the fragile balance I’ve created between my worlds.

But saying no would mean giving explanations both to him and my dad, which I’m not ready for, so I text back a simple yes , with the location where I want to meet with him. I grab my things and hurry outside.

Several minutes later, I spot him walking toward me. Surrounded by students in sweatshirts and jeans, Keith looks as if he walked out of a business magazine. He weaves through the crowd with the confidence of someone who’s used to being noticed and never questioned.

But when he reaches me, I realize there’s something off about him. His shoulders are rigid, and his face looks guarded in a way I didn’t see before.

“How about we go to that café close by?” I suggest, trying to break the weird silence.

“I can’t stay long,” he says, pulling a book out of his bag. “I have a group project. But here. This is yours.”

He hands me a book with a blue cover that I don’t recognize. It looks like a science fiction novel.

I blink at him in confusion. “What’s this?”

“Your friend asked me to return it to you,” he says, pressing his lips into a tight line. “He said you left it at his place.”

“My friend?” I frown at the book, because I’m sure I’ve never seen it before.

“Gallagher,” Keith says, watching me carefully. “The hockey captain. He said you two know each other from some parties.”

My heart skips a beat when I hear Xavier’s name, and I hope it’s not too obvious. “Gallagher gave you this? For me?”

“Yes, he came to find me this morning.” Keith’s tone is even, but there’s a tension in his posture that says he’s not letting his guard down. “Said you were old friends and asked me to return it.”

Xavier’s move is bold, even sneaky. Not only did he find Keith and get close enough to hand him this book, but he also created this whole setup to mess with us. It’s insolent, and honestly, I’m equal parts pissed and weirdly impressed.

“We’re not really friends,” I say, trying to sound casual. “More like acquaintances. He plays for my dad.”

“Right.” Keith folds his arms, a hint of doubt in his tone. “He seemed pretty familiar with you.”

“We’ve just run into each other at some events,” I lie, and I hope it’s believable enough. “The book isn’t mine. He probably confused me with someone, since we don’t know each other that well.”

He checks his watch, with just enough emphasis to make sure I see it. “I should get back. I need to compile research for our project.”

The sudden shift from Keith coming here to see me to this tense and weird conversation makes it obvious Xavier’s plan worked. Keith’s unsettled, suspicious, and putting up walls that weren’t there before.

“Sure,” I say, a little relieved that I don’t have to go anywhere with him. “Good luck with the project.”

“Thanks,” he says, hesitating as if he wants to say more but decides against it. “I’ll text you later.”

I watch him walk away, his posture stiffer than usual. When he disappears from view, I look down at the book in my hands.

Why would Xavier go through all this trouble? What’s he trying to pull this time?

I flip through the book and spot a handwritten note.

Last night in the shadows reminded me of what happened at that party. We both know what you really want and that he can’t give it to you. When you’re ready, you know where to find me. -X

My cheeks burn with embarrassment and anger. The note is clearly meant to stir trouble, so the suspicion I saw in Keith’s eyes earlier totally makes sense now. If he found this, no wonder he acted the way he did.

Xavier’s strategy is next-level. He got personal with Keith, planted doubts about us, created tension without even confronting me directly, and forced me to face the fact that he’s still chasing me.

And all that without tipping off my dad or getting a flat-out rejection from me.

It should scare me, because it all seems like a calculated manipulation. But no one’s ever chased me like this, not even Keith with his careful approach.

A prickling feeling crawls up my neck. Someone’s watching me, so I look up, scanning the space around me.

And then I spot him, my breath catching.

Xavier is leaning against a wall, his arms crossed, a mix of amusement and intensity on his face.

My heart rate speeds up. He’s here, on my campus, and watching how his little game played out. The nerve of him...

But fire ignites inside me anyway. I should just ignore him, walk away, and deny him the confrontation that he’s clearly craving.

But I don’t. Instead, I grit my teeth, clutching the book in my hand. He’s in the shadows again, so no one’s around to see us when I storm over to him.

He straightens, smiling like he owns the place, even though he shouldn’t be here. But his dark blue jeans and a tight blue shirt somehow make him look stronger and even more in control.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I ask, my voice low but with an edge.

“Oh, I just came for my book,” he says coolly, reaching out to grab it. “Sorry for the mix-up.”

“Liar,” I spit out. “This wasn’t about the book. You wanted to mess with Keith and me.”

His smile lingers at the corners of his mouth. “Is it sabotage if there’s nothing real to ruin?”

I feel the jab land, but I keep my face expressionless. “You don’t know anything about my relationship.”

He steps closer, his voice dropping. “He and you? That’s not a real connection, and you know it. It’s all fake and forced.”

A few people pass by, glancing at us. Before I can say anything or pull away, Xavier grabs my wrist, his grip firm but not hurting me. I should yank my arm free, cause a scene, or call for help. But instead, I let him pull me into a narrow passage between the buildings.

Once we’re fully out of sight, I jerk free of him. “Don’t ever grab me like that again!”

He backs me against a brick wall, not touching me but blocking my way.

He leans in, his blue eyes impossibly deep as they stare at me. “You’re hiding what happened between us. Hiding that you’re unhappy with your arranged relationship. Hiding what you really want.”

No one in my life ever speaks so plainly. Everyone dances around things, like my dad, the Costellos, and even my classmates. Xavier’s honesty is both refreshing and maddening.

“You don’t know me,” I say, but I don’t really believe it.

“I know you more than you think.” He’s inches away now, and my gaze falls on his lips. “I know how you react when someone wants you for real and not just out of obligation.”

The memory of that night flashes in my mind. His hands were so sure and commanding, and my body responded like never before. Heat rises between us, and my breathing turns shallow.

“That was one night,” I say. “A mistake.”

“Are you sure?” he whispers. “Then why did your breath catch when you saw me last night? Why are you looking at me like you want me to kiss you?”

The tension between us is electric. His scent and his closeness are overwhelming. I should push him away and put some distance between us, but I’m frozen and torn between what I want and what I should want.

He must know how I feel because he closes the gap, one hand gentle on my face. “Stop fighting it,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin.

Then our mouths collide.

Xavier kisses me like he owns me, with fierce certainty, and I respond, pulling him closer, my body flooded with warmth and desire.

He deepens the kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth as my back presses hard against the rough brick. One of his hands tugs at my hair, tilting my head, and the other rests possessively on my waist.

It’s as if time has stopped and all that exists is this moment, this man, and this intensity between us that feels so right it scares me. It’s what I’ve been missing with Keith—a raw connection that bypasses all logic.

But I can’t.

I can’t do this.

I break away from him, pushing him back. “Stop,” I gasp, my voice shaking. “We can’t do this.”

He tilts his head at me, dark desire in his gaze. “We already are,” he says, his thumb gently brushing my lip. “I know what you want... what you need.”

“No, you don’t.” I get past him. “You don’t know anything about what I need.”

Before he can say anything, I stride away. I’m not running, even though every part of me screams to flee, because running would give him power. So I move as calmly and as fast as possible, trying to ignore the fire burning inside me. I can feel his eyes following me.

Once I’m safe inside the building and hidden in an empty classroom, I let myself feel it all. My hands tremble, the ghost of his kiss still on my lips, as my heart pounds like crazy in my chest.

What’s happening to me? How did someone I barely know throw my whole life into chaos? Why don’t I hate him for invading my life and manipulating me?

I guess it’s because, deep down, part of me wants exactly what he’s offering: freedom. I want a real connection, not just one arranged by my dad. I want the chance to choose for myself.

My phone buzzes. I check the screen, even though I already suspect who it’s from.

You can run, but I’ll always find you.

This crosses every line, and it’s a total red flag. But beneath my fear, there’s a strange thrill. No one’s ever wanted me like this. Only for me and exactly how I really am.

“What the fuck is wrong with me?” I whisper to the empty room, pressing my hand against my forehead.

I should block Xavier again, or report him, or tell my dad.

But I don’t want to. Whatever is happening between us... This dangerous pull that challenges everything planned out for me... It’s just getting started.

And honestly? I’m not sure I want it to stop.