Page 27 of Reckless Dare

Her breath caught in her throat as he nodded at the girls who greeted him. But his dark eyes were looking around as though seeking someone. She turned away and went deeper into the aisle, flattening against a bookshelf.

Oh God.

Maybe I’m being paranoid.

Why would the most popular guy waste his time trying to find the new girl just to terrorize her? She was sure he had better things to do like going on dates with one of the fan girls or simply hanging out with his friends.

She bit her lip, half convinced she was just being paranoid.

Barely two minutes later, her fears came true. She saw his larger-than-life dark presence at the beginning of the aisle. Even as she hoped he was simply passing by, he turned inside.

His dark eyes fell on her.

Her heart nearly burst out of her chest as he walked down the library aisle, his eyes never leaving hers. There was nothing she could think of doing as her body and mind froze like she had seen the devil. She should be looking away and ignoring him, but the fear of what might happen made her keep her eyes glued to him.

He came to a stop right in front of her. His eyes took in the black hoodie she had on. Since it was after classes, she wore her favorite hoodie to remain nearly invisible. It covered her hair, keeping her somewhat anonymous. But now that her tormentor had seen her in it, she doubted she could remain invisible anymore.

“I ordered you to leave a week ago, Harvard. But you are still here.”

His voice was low and even, which she found even more menacing.

“What part of leave did you not understand?”

“I-I can’t leave,” she stuttered as she sucked in air. Her palms turned sweaty when he held his intimidating stance, glaring at her. “I’m h-here to study. My f-father—”

He cut her off before she could finish her sentence.

“You don’t deserve to be at Simha.”

She wanted to ask him why but she could not talk as her voice was stuck in her throat. He was scaring her and his presence overwhelmed her. Shockingly, her mind and body were still at war when it came to him. She was frightened of him, but she had to fight the awareness she still felt towards him.

I have to escape.

She turned to walk away, hoping he wouldn’t follow her and make a scene. There must be dozens of other distractions and weekend plans for him to get to.

She had barely taken a step when she was stopped. She let out a gasp when the back of her hoodie was caught and she was dragged back and pushed against the bookshelf once again.

Her tormentor pressed his palms on the bookshelf on either side of her head, trapping her. He then bent his head until their faces were only inches apart.

“Don’t think you can run away from me, Harvard. I will hunt you down no matter where you are.” His eyes swept over her hoodie in contempt. “Your cheap hoodie will not protect you from me.”

She let out a gasp and her fingers curled into her jacket protectively. Her hoodie was gifted to her by her father. It was from her father’s college days. “D-do not c-call my h-hoodie cheap. Ii…it was my f-father’s.”

His mouth twisted cruelly. “Then it is both cheap and old, Harvard. And if you don’t want anything to happen to it, like burning into ashes, you should do as I say and leave.”

She was shocked at his cruelty, threatening to destroy something that was dear to her.

“Y-ou are a monster,” she whispered.

He smiled darkly. “Yes, I am. And if you don’t leave, you’ll see how big of a monster I am.”

Before she could say anything else, he stepped away. Giving her a sweeping look, he left.

She saw him joining the group of guys waiting for him at the corner of the aisle. None of the guys looked like they would come to her help. Even the students who passed by only looked at her with curiosity. They probably thought she and her tormentor were having an intimate conversation.

Oh God.

She took in a shuddering breath.