Page 2 of Malicious Intentions

“Hello. Nice to meet you,” I choke out, feeling uneasy from the contemptuous look in his eyes.

My mom appears beside him, arching a brow in warning, her lips pressed together. Her expression transforms when Preston turns his attention to her and offers his arm.

“Allow me to show you my home,” he says without looking at me.

I follow behind them, my heels clicking up the stairs, my eyes downcast so I don’t trip. When I reach the front door, a servant stands on my right. He flashes me a tight smile before looking away.Even he knows I don’t belong here.

When I step inside the house, dread settles over me like a steel curtain. My gaze roams over the opulent foyer with marble floors, large paintings on the walls, and a giant chandelier overhead.

The lavish house impresses and intimidates me. It’s a far cry from the middle-class home and neighborhood I grew up in.

Footsteps draw my attention to a younger version of Preston as he strides toward us. His piercing, smoky eyes lock with mine, a scowl on his face before his gaze skips to my mom. A fake smile transforms his chiseled features.

While he greets my mom, I take the opportunity to study him. His skin is the color of light toffee, and reddish highlights are on display as he stands beneath the chandelier. His smile is blinding, revealing perfect white, straight teeth.

He leans in, kissing my mom on the cheek, then steps back and puts his hands in his pockets. As he shifts his weight, hissilky black button-down shirt hugs his muscular torso, and his custom-made black trousers cling to his thighs.

Goddamn. The arrogant asshole is sculpted like a Greek God.

A swell of desire races through my chest as my eyes linger on his thighs before moving to the expensive dress shoes on his feet that probably cost more than my outfit.

He’s attractive as hell, but the smugness cloaking him makes me bristle.

He turns to me, his eyes darkening as he slowly peruses every inch of my body as though he’s undressing me with his eyes. My skin burns beneath the weight of his gaze, and I fight the urge to remain still. It’s a losing battle as I fidget and squirm, earning a pointed glare from my mother.

I swallow hard, my mouth dry, as his sinister charcoal eyes return to mine. He arches a brow, a predatory smile curling his lips. His shrewd look resembles a snake analyzing its prey, searching for a weakness before striking.

My mother’s shrill voice is like nails on a chalkboard as she introduces us. “Evan, this is my daughter, Alexis. Lexi, this is Evan.”

I reluctantly extend my hand, plastering a fake smile on my lips. Evan steps closer, grasping my outstretched hand and squeezing my fingers, exerting his dominance over me. The scent of warm amber cologne infiltrates my senses, suffocating me.“It’s a pleasure.”

My muscles and spine are rigid as my voice shakes slightly. “Likewise.”Come on, Lexi. Pull your shit together. Where the hell is your confident, take-no-shit attitude?

I try to pull my hand away, but Evan’s grip tightens. He holds onto my fingers longer than necessary as his gaze bores into mine, his expression indecipherable, before finally releasing my fingers.

Dropping my gaze to the floor, I resist the urge to wipe my sweaty hand on my dress. Evan’s scrutiny is wearing me down, and I’ve only been in the devil’s presence for a few minutes.

Preston’s deep voice commands my attention. “Your mother tells me your dream is to attend Stone Ridge University.”

Shooting my mom an annoyed look, irritation blooms through every facet of me. “Yes, but it’s only a dream. In reality, it’s unaffordable and unattainable.”

Preston makes a noise that causes Evan to jerk his head toward him. He stiffens, his gaze narrowing as he studies his father, seeing something he doesn’t like.

Preston nods, his smile conveying he knows something I don’t. “Welcome to my home, Lexi. After dinner, I’ll give you a tour.” He pulls the cuff of his shirt back, revealing his expensive watch. “Let’s head to the dining room. I’ve asked the staff to prepare a special dinner tonight. Your mother assured me you’ll be pleased with our selections.”

“Yes, I’m sure,” I lie, my eyes narrowing on my mother. She shoots me a warning look, but I don’t give a rat’s ass. The woman barely knows me.

I’ve always been last on her priority list. Gram raised me while she spent much of her time in college and law school before she climbed the ladder at the law firm where she works.

Since Gram passed away, I’ve been drifting in a sea of loneliness and abandonment.

Dismissing me, my mom links her arm through Preston’s before they lead the way down the foyer.

I watch them go, sadness welling inside me at my mom’s refusal to focus on my needs in any meaningful way.

I’m stunned when an arm appears in my line of sight. My eyes drop to it, studying the silky black material before slowly moving to Evan’s face.

I scoff and step forward to follow them, but Evan grabs my arm and wraps it through his. I tug against his grip, trying to pull away. His eyes narrow on mine, and his smile fades. “Stop fighting me,” he hisses. “Don’t you want to make a good impression on my father and please your mother?”

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