Page 121 of Forbidden Lessons

I quickly straighten. “Wondering what shoes you wear.”

“What shoes, or what size?”

Thank God he has his back turned, because my face just caught alight. I quickly press my hands to my cheeks, trying to soak up the heat before he comes back with two glasses.

Another wine for me.

A bourbon for him.

No ice in either.

He heads around the kitchen counter, coming right to my side, so close I can feel the heat of his body. I flinch at the soft clink my glass makes as he sets it down beside me.

“You’ll go back to class,” he says. “And when they make fun of you living in your car, you’ll laugh at them, because it won’t be true.”

My hand wraps around the glass as I try to summon that coolness to my face.

He’s too close.

His voice too intense.

My entire body is coming alive just from being in his aura. My skin flushing. My nipples tightening. My clit tingling. If he stays here much longer, there’s going to be a wet spot on this fucking kitchen stool when I get up.

“But it is,” I whisper, wanting this conversation to be over, but refusing to give him any ground.

“Not for much longer.”

My breath hitches when he scrapes a finger over the slope of my neck, moving my hair away.

To better see the bruises on my skin?

Or so that he can kiss me there?

“I made some calls. Tomorrow, I’m taking you to the Gamma Alpha Zeta house. They’ve agreed to give you full room and board.”

My hair falls back into place.

I keep my eyes straight ahead, watching Bastian as he leans on his elbows beside me, face turned to me. Scanning my face. Watching my reaction.

“Now if anyone wants to make fun of you, you get to laugh in their face.”

My chest puffs out as I take a full breath. I turn, trying not to lean away, but Bastian is so close it’s like I’m leaning in for a kiss.

His gaze is so steady on mine it feels like he’s delving into the depths of my rotting soul.

“I’d rather spit in their eye,” I whisper.

“I’ll allow.” He smiles. “But only if I can watch.”

Chapter 33

Haven

Is this what feeling tipsy is like, or am I still reeling from Bastian’s news about the sorority? When I had that tequila at Melissa’s house, I never felt like this. I went straight from normal to drunk. College kids and my family aside, I doubt that’s how alcohol is supposed to be used.

This? This is fantastic.

I’m so happy I can’t stop smiling. My body is relaxed. My mind is relaxed. The constant stream of negative thoughts that normally cycle through my head has run dry.

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