Page 171 of Pervade London
What would Penn-Rhodes say when I told him I wouldn’t be participating? What would my fellow student think if I turned down this chance? Salme would win again. The thought of her smug smile made my stomach churn with anxiety.
“There’s other ways to get you where you want to be,” he muttered, moving forward to stand beside me.
My frustration was evidently burning a hole in the stratosphere—as well as my aching stomach. Rubbing my tummy didn’t help ease the pain.
Was I really willing to let these men dictate what I could and couldn’t do?
Don’t let them know you’re scheming.
“Dippy,” Xavier repeated his name.
“How many bones?” I assumed he’d counted them without trying. He didn’t even have to look at the description.
“A lot.” He glanced over at James, who rolled his eyes.
“These aren’t the real bones,” James informed me. “They’re plaster cast replicas of the fossilized ones.” Seeing the surprised look on my face, he added, “They don’t bore holes into prehistoric animals if they can avoid it.”
“None of them are real?” I asked.
James raised his brows. “Take this as a lesson in life. There’s so little you know about the truth.”
Xavier glared at him. “Can you take it down a notch, please?”
“It’s fine,” I said. “I’m open to learning—if you’re willing to talk.”
“Well played,” said James. “But no.”
James’ alpha moves aside, it was nice to think we had the run of the place. Museum security would be tracking us but we could walk around and not have to stand in line for any exhibits. “James, how did you pull this off?”
“Ipulled it off,” said Xavier. “How do you like your surprise?”
“I love it.” I moved closer and wrapped my arms around him.
He embraced me tightly, and I wanted to swoon when he kissed the top of my head.
“You were telling me how much you love dinosaurs back at the castle,” he said. “I made a call to an old buddy who works here.”
“Of course you remembered,” I whispered.
“See? I was listening.”
“More like mentally recording,” muttered James.
I stepped away from Xavier and stared at Ballad. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not here, no,” he said flatly.
“I should be the pissy one,” I said. “Considering the fact you’re sabotaging my career.”
James moved forward and took hold of my hands, his thumbs caressing my skin.
“I can get you into that place you’ve always dreamed of,” he said softly.
I yanked my hands away. “I want to get in on my own merit.”
“Tomorrow can’t happen.”
Raising my chin, I said, “Nothing has been decided.”
