Page 39 of Wicked Scandal

Without even dismissing the class, she stands up, frazzled as her hands smooth down her dress, and she paces small steps in the front of the room.

I don’t get up, I just sit here waiting for everyone to exit so we can talk.

Elodie stops in the doorway before leaving, her cautious gaze moving from Mrs. Jenkins to me. Eyes frozen on mine, she shakes her head in a small movement, expressing her disapproval. It sort of pisses me off because I’ve never once passed judgment on her dating Rome—my twin and her stepbrother. In fact, I helped them work their shit out.

Mrs. Jenkins, noticing her suspicious glances, turns to face the window. I’m certain it’s because she can’t look Elodie in the eye. But the minute Elodie is out the door, she’s walking steadfastly toward it. In a swift motion, she closes it and clicks the lock.

Still facing the door, her chin drops to her chest. “How long have you known?” she says quietly, but loud enough for me to hear.

In two seconds flat, I’m at her side, palm pressed to the door she’s still in front of. My body molds with hers as her scent floods my senses. “Does it matter?” I whisper in her ear, letting my breath fan over her neck.

A puff of air escapes her. “Does it matter?” She turns to face me, the look on her face not one I was expecting. This is a good thing. This is a moment of clarity. Why is she pissed?

“Do you know how humiliating this is?” Tears well in her eyes as she throws her arms out wide and I take a step back even though I want more than anything to pull her close and wrap my arms around her. “You should have told me you knew. Instead, you just kept on pretending you had no idea who CatEyes was.”

I shake my head, slightly pissed off that she would think I would keep this a secret for long. The only reason I did it in the first place was because I needed to know how she felt in case this scared her off. “I did tell you. Just now.”

She looks away again, swallowing hard. “You should have told me right away, or at the very latest, last night.” She wipes at her cheeks then faces me. “So how long have you known?”

“Hardly a full day. It’s not a big deal, Cat. You don’t have to be embarrassed.” I reach for her arm but she steps back, eyes darting around the room nervously.

“No!” she blurts out. “You can’t touch me. We can’t talk anymore. This has to end.” My heart cracks in my chest as confusion fills me. Why is she doing this again?

“This doesn’t have to be complicated. I like talking to you and you like talking to me, right?”

“Yes. I mean, no.” She pulls at her hair as she begins to pace in front of me. “It doesn’t matter what I like. If we keep going like this, we’ll hurt not only ourselves but so many other people. I’m doing this for you, Wilder. To protect you.”

I scoff. She’s doing this because she’s scared. “I don’t need, nor want, your protection.” I chuckle, but there is no humor in the sound. “Besides, we’re just talking, Cat.”

“Don’t call me that,” she says softly. “It’s Mrs. Jenkins. Not Cat. Not Mrs. J. Only Mrs. Jenkins.”

I shake my head as pain slices through me. “Why are you doing this?”

She looks into my eyes and for the first time, I literally feel the pain I see. “You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

A single tear trails down her cheek and I reach out to gently brush it away with my thumb, feeling the dampness and warmth of her skin.

Then she breaks down and I throw my arms around her, pulling her body close to mine. “You don’t have to face this alone. Let me be there for you.”

She takes a deep breath, breathing me in as I remind her that she is safe here. I will keep her safe.“I’m scared. Not just for myself. For you too.”

Those words speak volumes. It’s the revelation I needed to keep bringing her walls down. I was right all along. Cat’s in danger and she needs me just as much as I need her. No matter how much distance she tries to put between us, there’s this undeniable pull I can’t seem to shake.

“I’ve got you,” I tell her as my fingers run through her hair. “I need to see you again. Assuming you want to see me, too?” It’s a question more than a statement because I don’t want to pressure her, but every second we’re apart feels like too long.

She lifts her head from my shoulder, our eyes beaming into one another's as she nods. “I do.”

The corner of my mouth tugs up and I lean down to brush a kiss over her forehead, rewarding her for her honesty. “Name the time and place and I’ll be there.”

She closes her eyes when I pull back, then looks up at me the same way she did last night. No longer with fear, but that joy I love seeing inside her. “Eight o'clock at the guesthouse. Not a minute sooner.”

“You got it.” I go to lean in to kiss her cheek, but a sudden pound on the door has her jumping out of my arms. Her fingers swipe frantically under her eyes. “Go sit…” She stops herself. “No. Go to the closet. Dammit,” she mutters. “Just act cool.”

I can’t help but laugh. “It’s fine. Just open the door. We’re good.”

Straightening her back, she clicks the lock and pulls the door open, coming face to face with three students for her next class. She steps aside, allowing them in.

“Looks like you’re set,” I say to her as I wiggle the door handle. “It was just a sticky lock. You shouldn’t have any more problems with it, but if you do, let the office know and they can have maintenance take a look.”

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