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I spot Lil at a table in the corner, her head buried in a book. Of course, she’s at her regular spot, the most secluded. Her hair is in the usual ponytail that gives me all kinds of bad ideas. Wrapping around my hand, tugging,…

I wonder how she’ll react when she sees me. Will she be happy? Surprised? Annoyed? With Lil, it’s always a guessing game. One moment, she’s melting into my arms, the next, she’s pushing me away.

But I’m not giving up. I didn’t spend hours slaving away in the kitchen to be rejected. No, I’m going to make her see that I’m serious about this. About us.

I roll my neck and start walking towards her spot. Lil. The girl who punched me in the face and then kissed me like her life depended on it.

Dark circles decorate the skin under her eyes. Has she been sleeping at all?

I clear my throat. “Hey, princess.”

No response.

For her not to notice me, especially this close… This isn’t like her.

I set the food on the table and curl my fingers around her wrist. “Hey.”

Her head jerks up, eyes blinking rapidly before they settle on me.

“Sebastian.” It comes out in a whisper. “You scared me.”

“Sorry about that.” I give her wrist a gentle squeeze before letting go. “I called your name, but you didn’t react.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She looks away, fidgeting with the edge of the book. “What are you doing here?”

“Brought you dinner. I figured you hadn’t eaten yet, and I know how you forget everything else when a new book catches your interest.”

“We can’t eat here. The librarian will kick us out.” Her gaze darts around the room as if expecting the librarian to materialize from between the shelves. That’s more like her.

“We won’t get caught. We’ll be quick, I promise.” I plaster on my most charming smile and push the container closer to her. “Besides, when’s the last time you took a break?”

Lil worries her bottom lip. Fuck she’s sexy. Would she mind me taking her right now? Yes, she would.

“But the rules—”

“Screw the rules. Live a little.” I lean forward, dropping my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

“You won’t leave me alone, right?”

“Right.”

She eyes me for a long moment before her shoulders sag. “Fine. But if we get caught, I’m blaming you.”

“Deal.” I settle into the chair beside her.

Lil pushes her book to the side and unpacks the food. Knew my princess was hungry. Tonight’s a win—I got her to bend the rules, and now I have her all to myself.

Exactly where I want her.

She takes a bite and closes her eyes, a soft moan escaping her lips. Fuck, the things I’d do to elicit more of those noises from her.

Note to myself: Take cooking lessons.

Halfway through the meal, Lil winces. Is it too spicy?

She switches the chopstick to her other hand and struggles with holding them. What is going on?

I abandon my food to snatch her wrist. A red line is across her palm, marring her otherwise flawless skin. “How did this happen?”

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