Page 16 of King of Temptation

She smiles back, a flush filling her cheeks. “I bet she will. She failed that class, so I know she needs the money.”

My smile slips because that ticks me off. Is she really suffering? Why hasn’t she asked for help? It’s so easy to pay for one class.

I clear my throat, banishing the thought, because that’s not my place. At least not right at this moment. Maybe not at all. I’m not the make-a-commitment kind of guy. But there are some perks to dating a guy who’s got more money than he knows what to do with.

I mean if I’m going to be the guy that ruined her New York opportunity, the least I can do is pay for some of the damage.

But I shut those thoughts down. I’ll figure all that out later, right now, I just want to see her again. And I definitely want her in my bed…

CHAPTER SIX

Kim

I crack my eyes open, trying to figure out what time it is and what woke me. I’ve been exhausted this week and I have no idea why.

My phone rings and I realize that’s what must have interrupted my sleep.

Lifting my head, the harsh shrill of the ring sounds in my ear again, and I reach out a fumbling hand, trying to swim from the fog long enough to make the sound stop.

I pick it up and see my mom’s name flash across the screen. Letting out a long groan, I stare at the screen for a beat longer before I finally answer.

I know we haven’t talked very much the last month…

To be honest, I’m not exactly proud of what I did with Leo. In fact, it’s everything my mom has warned me my entire life not to do.

She was nineteen when she got pregnant with me, I have no idea who my dad is. He was never around, I don’t even know if he knows I exist.

We’ve never discussed it. What I do know is that my mom has told me a thousand times if she’s told me once, not to get carried away by attractive men.

To stick to my goals and to make something of myself. It’s become like this mantra in my head.

“Hey Mom,” I croak into the phone.

“Kimmy?” she replies back. “Are you still sleeping?”

“Umm,” I answer. “Yeah.”

“It’s one in the afternoon.”

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at the screen. So it is. “I’ve been working a ton of doubles and not getting out until really late. Just a bit worn out.”

I swear, I can hear her nodding. “It’s really too bad about that class. I’m sorry you have to retake it for an interview that didn’t even…”

“It’s fine.” That’s the other reason I’ve been avoiding my mom. I think she might be as disappointed as I am about the New York Ballet. Maybe more.

It was her dream before it was mine and I know it kills her that I got so close and then didn’t succeed.

She worked really hard to get me here. I hate disappointing her.

“Are you eating healthy?” she asks, going into dance mom mode, I swear. “Getting studio time?”

“Mom, I’m good.” I plant my face back into my pillow.

“What about dating, sweetheart?”

“Mom.” I do not want to start on this.

“You’ve hardly seen anyone since that nice boy, freshman year.”

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