Page 48 of Misconducts & Temptation

She just looked at me, not responding, her eyes searching mine for answers.

I sighed. "I don't know yet. At least a year. Dad has to believe I'm serious about it or he'll definitely cut me off."

"Okay," she said, her voice steady.

"You can stay with me for at least a year?"

"I think I'll manage," she said, a faint hint of determination in her tone.

I stuck out my hand. "Do we have a deal?"

Elodie gave my hand a long look, and I held my breath. Slowly, she placed her hand in mine. A jolt ran through me at the touch—a spark. Her hand was so much smaller than mine. Warm and soft. I liked it more than I cared to admit.

"It's a deal," she said.

"Great," I said with a smirk. "Let's get married."

Chapter 15

Elodie

Iblinked. "What?"

"Let's get married," Keaton said.

"Right now?" I asked.

"It has to be right now," he said. "There might not be any other time to do it." He stood up, extending his hand towards me. "You with me, babes?" His brow arched in question.

My heart leapt into my throat. This had to be a joke, right? But the determination in his eyes said otherwise. My mind raced, caught between fear and a strange thrill.

"I don't have a dress," I said, grasping for any reason to slow down this whirlwind.

"Schematics," he replied with a dismissive wave. "We'll get one on the way."

I stared at his hand, disbelief making my fingers tremble. Was I really about to do this? My life had been one long chain of obligations and sacrifices, but this—this was wild, unpredictable, and wholly my choice.

Finally, I placed my hand in his. His grip was warm and firm.

We locked eyes. For a moment, the chaos of everything around us faded into the background.

He smirked. "It's showtime."

Keaton led me out of the café, his hand still gripping mine. My pulse thrummed in my ears, a mix of nerves and excitement. The afternoon air felt crisp against my skin, something unexpected in June.

In the parking lot, we approached his car. Its sleek, black exterior gleamed under the streetlights, the lines sharp and predatory. It looked like it belonged more in a movie than in the Crestwood Academy parking lot, even though a lot of students drove cars like this one.

He walked me to the passenger side and opened the door. I blinked at him, caught off guard by the chivalrous gesture. Sliding inside, I placed my book bag by my feet, feeling the cool leather seat mold to my form.

Keaton got in on the driver's side and started the engine with a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine. We sped out of the parking lot, tires squealing slightly as he accelerated.

"Do you always drive this fast?" I asked, gripping the dashboard as he weaved through traffic.

"Oh, come on, babes," he replied with a smirk. "Fast is fun."

"Not when your body is in pieces on the street," I muttered under my breath.

He laughed then—a sound that was deep and genuine. It caught me off guard, a stark contrast to his usual guarded demeanor. For a moment, it felt like I was seeing a different side of him, one that wasn't all ice and control. I found myself liking that sound more than I expected.

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