Page 50 of Malicious Intentions

Professor Huntley begins class by taking roll call. My stomach is in knots, and I’m nervous as hell.

When he gets to me, he pauses before saying, “Alexis Morgan-Whitmore.” He looks up from his laptop, his eyes narrowing on me when I raise my hand.

“It’s Alexis Morgan.” My voice is feeble as my face burns beneath his intense stare.

He ignores my correction. “Whitmore, huh? Is there any relation to Evan?” He tries to sound casual, but I can see the vein throbbing in his forehead.

“His father is my mother’s husband.”

“Ahh. So that makes you Evan’s stepsister.” He sneers at me, but the glimmer in his cold eyes makes me uneasy.

“Technically.” I slouch in the chair, hating that all eyes are on me.

He stares at me for another minute before continuing. Sophia pats my arm as Huntley calls her name. I’ve noticed she uses the last name Myers and not Myers-Alexander or Alexander. I make a mental note to ask her about it later.

Huntley reviews the syllabus and course expectations before discussing the lecture and lab portion of the class and how grades are determined. As I read over it, I cringe. He expects a lot, and the material will be challenging. But there’s no way I’m going to his office hours.

When class is over,I pack my laptop inside my bag and stand, following Sophia as we move to the doorway.

But Huntley’s voice stops me. “Miss Morgan. May I see you for a moment?”

I’m tense as my gaze locks with Huntley. He stands beside the podium with his arms crossed, his intense eyes boring into mine.

“I’ll wait in the hallway for you.” Sophia touches my hand, giving Huntley a pointed look before she follows the rest of the class through the doorway. I stare at her retreating back, wishing I could go with her.

My feet are like lead as I move closer to him. “Miss Morgan.”

“It’s Lexi,” I interrupt before he says another word. He raises his brows, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Lexi.” He stares at me for a few moments, making me squirm. I hitch my backpack higher, wishing he would get on with it so I can leave. “How are things going for you?”

“Just peachy.” I force a bright smile on my face.

He stares at me for another long moment. I shift my weight, uncomfortable by how he looks at me.

“I imagine having Evan as a stepbrother can be extremely challenging. Please let me know if you needanything.”

Cold chills race down my spine. I nod, eager to escape. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Feel free to stop by during office hours.”

I don’t say a word, squirming beneath the weight of his gaze. I nod and make a show of looking at my phone. “Thanks for the chat. I need to go.”

“It was my pleasure, Lexi.”

My face hurts from fake smiling, and I’m relieved to drop it the second I spin around and flee to the exit.

Evan will grill me about class, and I wonder if I should tell him what Huntley said.That would probably only add fuel to the fire and send Evan after him.

As soon as I step through the doorway, Sophia pounces on me. “How did it go?”

“Let’s get outta here. I’ll tell you over coffee.”

Sophia slings an arm around me. “My treat.” She glances over her shoulder, shivering as she looks at the classroom I just vacated. “You deserve it after being alone with that creep.”

CHAPTER 33

Alexis

---