Page 7 of Hate To Love You

“Maybe you’re just looking at it wrong. Maybe it’s your cynicism that makes you think that this story is about anything other than love and devotion.”

His eyes narrow and it seems like I struck a nerve.

“You don’t know me,” he growls.

“I don’t need to know you to see how you view the world. Your pessimistic and bleak outlook on this story proves that you don’t know anything about what it is to love or be loved.”

It comes out so fast I can’t even stop myself.

I don’t think I meant to say it, but the way he was arguing with me made my blood boil. He just stares at me, no reply, nothing. Just a glare that causes a shiver to run down my spine.

Professor Whitely clears her throat. “Okay. Well, now we can see the story from different sides. Great job guys.”

The rest of class goes by in a blur. After we turn in our essays, Professor Whitely dismisses us.

Damian and I pack up our things and head for the stairs, away from this nightmare of a situation I just caused.

Chapter 6

Guinevere

As Damian and I head for the exit of Mallory Center, he grabs my upper arm and pulls me to the side and out of the way of oncoming students.

“Ow! What the hell?” I rub the spot on my arm he just assaulted. He lets go and looks around as if he’s making sure no one is around to hear what he’s about to say.

“Do you know who that was?” I shoot him a quizzical look.

“No?” Damian rolls his eyes.

“That was Ryker Steele. He’s an Elite, and you just got on his bad side.”

Now I roll my eyes.

Ah, yes. The Ellington Elite. The king pricks of Ellington University. The wealthiest men on campus and the most ruthless. I don’t know much about their little club, but I know it’s bad news. My dad didn’t tell me much about his days as an Elite, but I do know to stay away from them.

Since most of them come from money, they think they’re untouchable. They can pretty much do anything they want and get away with it since their parents have more money than God and can pay off any witnesses.

Girls beg for their attention and grovel at their feet to give them a chance. It’s pathetic, honestly. They’re nothing special. But in this life, money is power, and they have a lot of it.

“I’ll be fine. He’s just another douchebag with more money than brains.”

Damian stifles a laugh.

I walk toward the exit with Damian trailing behind me. I turn back to make another comment on the situation at hand, but I’m interrupted as I run into something hard.

I look up, and up, and up. It’s him again. Ryker Steele. God, he’s tall. I take a step back and take him in. Why is he standing in my way?Again.

Damian steps up beside me as if he’s ready to throw down with Ryker if he tries anything. Damian has never fought a day in his life, so he’d definitely get his ass kicked, but I appreciate the gesture.

Ryker glares down at me, his green eyes dark. He towers over me. He must be at least six foot two. His arms are crossed, and I can see the veins underneath his tan skin.

“You make a habit of running into people?” he asks. My body stiffens and I narrow my eyes.

“Do you make a habit of standing in the middle of walkways?” his jaw clenches as he crosses his arms over his chest, making the muscles ripple underneath his skin.

“So… Just another douchebag with more money than brains, huh? That’s a new one,” I should be embarrassed that he heard me, but part of me is actually glad he did.

“Really? You don’t get that all the time?” I give him a sardonic smile, looking directly into his eyes. They’re an unbelievable shade of green that I’ve never seen before, complete with a black ring around them. He has a bit of dark stubble around his jaw that matches the dark hair on his head.

---