Page 152 of Cruel Steps

“I missed you, Wildcat.”

“It’s only been a few hours,” I teased.

“We’ve been over this. Any time away from you is too long. Let’s skip the studio.”

“Nice try.”

“I’m serious.” He swiveled his hips, brushing his cock against me. I closed my eyes, biting my lip to keep my moan in.

“You get your results later, right?” He nodded. “Then tonight you can have me bare,” I promised, my eyes full of heat.

He grunted, but nodded. Setting me on my feet, he adjusted himself before taking my hand and leading me to the Art building. I heard whispers as we walked but ignored them, despite my curiosity. I knew whatever it was would hurt, but my brain still wanted to know. Sometimes, it was better to not tempt it.

Holden and I took our regular seats in the studio and pulled out our supplies. We were working on comic strips. I still wasn’t very good, but I enjoyed doing something different. Holden, on the other hand, was very talented. He’d have an outstanding career in art if he decided not to pursue football.

“Is that supposed to be me?” he asked, leaning over to look at my tablet.

“Maybe.” I couldn’t draw people, so I was using animals. I’d drawn a penguin, a koala, and a baby chick because they’d been easy.

“Hmm. It’s not bad. Though, I’m more of a grizzly bear.”

I patted his hand. “Sure you are.” I giggled, and he rolled his eyes. I peeked at his comic, my mouth dropping open at the detail. I loved his charcoal drawing, but this was something else.

“Wow. That’s incredible.”

He’d drawn a guy on a football field in one square and a girl dancing in the other. Their eyes connected in the third, oblivious to the crowd.

“It’s just for fun.” He shrugged. This was something I’d come to expect from him. He could take praise all day about his football skills, but compliment his art, and he got all shy. It was cute.

“This is great, Mr. Adler. Are you entering the contest?”

“Nah.”

The professor looked at Holden, but he dropped his eyes and glanced at my screen. I hated going after Holden because it made my lack of skill more apparent, but the teacher was good at identifying individual skills.

“I quite like the chick, Miss Adams. You’ve drawn out the feathers, making it look soft despite being 2D. Good job.” My cheeks heated, and I nodded. There was no way I’d tell him it was an accident, and I was about to erase it. “You should convince your boyfriend to enter the contest. He has a good shot of winning.” With those parting words, he walked to the front of the studio.

“You ready to go?” Holden asked, ignoring the professor.

“What contest?” I asked as we packed our things.

“It’s nothing.”

“Oh, I see. You can make me be honest, but it doesn’t apply to you,” I challenged.

Holden squeezed his eyes shut and let out a sigh. “Fine. It’s not nothing, but I’m not entering. I need to focus on football.”

“Ah, I get it. You’re scared.” I walked out of the room, smiling as I heard him rush to catch up.

“I’m not scared,” he grumbled.

“Uh huh. Sure.”

“I’m not.”

“Then enter. You already have something done, so it’s not extra work.”

“It’s not good enough.”

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