Page 50 of Never Broken

“What’s going to happen now?” I wasn’t sure whether I was talking about the next second, the next day, or the rest of our lives.

But he began, quite logically, at the beginning. “Well, you’re going to go upstairs and get some sleep because you need it. And then, you’re going to review all of Chapter Nine, making sure to focus on aldol condensation and esterification.”

“Seriously?!”

He looked genuinely confused. “What? I’m still your tutor. You thought I forgot about your exam?”

I rolled my eyes. “It always has to be about science with you, doesn’t it?”

“Always,” he said with a laugh. “Anyway, afterthat, you’re going to get ready for tonight,” he said, reaching up to tenderlyplace one of my long curls behind my ear, sliding his fingers down its silken length, lingering as if he didn’t want to let it go. “When I’ll see you again.”

I closed my eyes. Yes, he’d see me again. And he would have to pretend not to. And that was what he’d have to doeverytime he saw me in public, from this point forward, if he didn’t want to get us both killed.

What the fuck kind of ending wasthisto our story?

The answer was, it wasn’t one.

“But what about you?”

Wrong question. The subtle change in his expression told me instantly how little he wanted to contemplate what the day had in store for him.

“Quantum mechanics?” I teased, trying to coax a smile.

“Molecular orbital theory. Diatomicandpolyatomic,” he said. “Followed by floor scrubbing and silver polishing. And now I’m behind, for obvious reasons,” he remarked. “Goodreasons,” he added, his thumb stroking the bare skin between my top and skirt reassuringly.

Fuck. Why was he always comfortingmeoverhislife being a nightmare? I dug deep for anything that might cure that look of sad resignation in his eyes. Other than an orgasm, but that would have to wait.

“So about tonight,” I said. “Anything in particular I should wear?”

“Wait.” He sounded puzzled, though intrigued. “Do I actually get a say in this?”

“Well, you and I aren’t going to get to do much talking during dinner,” I said sadly. “So yes, you do. Within reason,” I added. I suspected it wasn’t every day he got asked about his tastes in women’s clothing, and I didn’t want him to gettoocarried away. “So?”

“Anything that makes you feel good,” he said.

“I love that you’re trying to be gentlemanly, but come on.”

“Hey, I gave it a try,” he said, then added eagerly, “Something short that shows off your back?”

“That’s more like it.” However, mention of the party jogged an unpleasant recollection. “Just to warn you, Corey’s coming. And his boss.”

“Max Langer,” he said immediately. “I know.”

I was surprised he knew who Corey’s boss—the man whose success all of our futures apparently now hinged on—even was. Then again, he missed nothing. Hell, he probably knew more about Max Langer thanIdid.

But I did wonder why.

With a swallow, I remembered how my last conversation with my father had ended. But I couldn’t bear to remind the boy in whose arms I now felt so safe that he was property in danger of being sold, any more than I could bear to remind myself.

“So how is your boyfriend going to dazzle us with his brilliance this time?” he asked. “An erupting papier-mâché volcano?”

I giggled. His barely disguised loathing of Corey, after what had just happened a minute ago, was completely absurd, as much as it secretly delighted me.

“You’re adorable when you’re jealous. Did I ever tell you that?”

He rested one elbow on the wall, rakishly leaning on it, his face angled down toward mine. “You never told me I was adorable, and that’s the only part I’ll accept. I prefer ‘devastatingly handsome,’ though.”

The intercom buzzed angrily to life again.

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