Page 84 of Paper Doll

Maybe it’s not broken after all.

“I’m studying,” she snaps, as if that’ll actually deter me. “Yes, I’ll go to the charity thing with you. Can you leave now? I’ve got a test tomorrow.”

I turn to head for the door and her brows shoot up. She’s shocked I’m actually leaving.

But I’m not.

“Nah,” I sigh as I kick the door closed, sealing us both in her bedroom. A devious grin curves my lips as I swivel back around to face her. “Think I’ll stick around.”

She glares daggers my way, clearly pissed, but little does she know that attitude only makes me want to stay more.

I pace back over to her dresser and lean against it, watching as she pretends to ignore me and focus on her books. Her lip’s caught between her teeth, a nervous little habit that I’m dying to replace with something else.

“I’ll make sure you have a dress for the event,” I murmur, wetting my lips with my tongue. “Something real nice.”

“How thoughtful,” she replies sarcastically.

“Anything for you, Ava baby.” My voice is a low drawl, and I know what effect that exact inflection has on her.

Her cheeks flush again and she shifts on the bed, shrinking behind the pillow she’s still holding in front of her.

I close the distance between us in a single stride and reach for it, tossing the pillow aside. “Stop hiding, I wanna see you.”

She huffs a breath as she snaps her head up, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why do you always do this?” she demands, but there’s definitely less bite in her tone now.

“Because I can,” I say, looking her over again, a predator sizing up his prey. “And because I know you like it.”

She snatches up the pillow again, tossing it at my chest. I catch it easily, laughing. This is exactly where I want to be– right in her face, pushing her buttons, watching her squirm.

Ava falls silent for a moment, her eyes dark and unreadable. Then she lifts her chin, trying to act tough. “You should go,” she says, but it sounds more like a question than a command.

“No thanks,” I reply, moving in closer and dropping down onto the edge of her bed. “I’m real comfortable right here.”

She’s stiff as a board, every muscle tense, and I can practically feel the heat coming off her. She’s trying so hard not to look at me, but she can’t ignore my presence forever/

I inch closer, watching the way her body reacts to every movement I make. Her breathing is all uneven, and I swear she’s going to snap any second now.

Finally, she does, brown eyes blazing with fury as she whips her gaze on me. “Why are you doing this?” she demands.

I shrug noncommittally. “Because I want to.”

“Well I don’t!” she fires back, her voice catching.

“Liar,” I chuckle, eyes locked on hers.

Ava shifts her weight, pressing her thighs together, and I know I’ve got her exactly where I want her. That defiance is starting to crumble, and all she can do is sit there and stew in her own anxious anticipation as she waits for me to make my next move, knowing I’m not done yet.

I glance around her room at all the little pieces ofherstrewn throughout the space. Her Corvus College hoodie slung over the back of the desk chair. Her hairbrush on the dresser. Some boring old book on the nightstand.

“What do you do when you’re in here by yourself?” I wonder aloud, swiping a hand over my chin.

“You’re looking at it,” she grumbles without glancing up from her textbook.

I reach for her nightstand beside the bed, pulling the drawer open and leaning over to snoop inside.

“Hey!” she protests, eyes wide and offended.

“Where are your toys?” I question, sticking a hand in her drawer to rummage around and coming up empty. Just some books, chapstick, and a bottle of Tylenol.Boring.