Page 113 of Saint

When we finally stepoutside, I breathe in a gulp of cool air and let it calm my nerves. Kole guides me to a bench at the side of the building and sits down, pulling me onto his lap.

“I really do need to get to work.”

“In a minute.” He reaches between me and my books and pulls out the sheet of paper tucked there. “Talk to me about this.”

Of course he already knows about it. I don’t know why I tried to hide it. He was watching me with my professor, and he must have assumed this was the reason.

His eyes skim it over, but he doesn’t spend much time reading it, and I get the impression he already knew what it says.

“I applied at the beginning of the year. I didn’t think I’d get in, so I’m still processing it.”

“I knew you would.”

“Wait.” I pull back, glancing from him to the paper. “Did you have anything to do with the recommendation letters Professor Perry was talking about?”

“It’s a tough internship; your chances are better with recommendations.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I asked for a favor.”

“Why would you help me?”

And why does he want to send me away?

Kole takes my books and sets them on the bench beside us so he can pull me closer to him. His hand rakes up through my hair, pulling it back when the windkicks it up.

“I helped you because you wanted this, Violet. And I told you, I want to give you everything you want.”

“So you’re okay with me going to Los Angeles without you?” My eyebrows pinch. “I mean, assuming in a few months you still care, or they don’t find out—”what you did.

I can’t say that part aloud. I refuse to put words to it.

“I’ve spent a year waiting for you, Violet. What makes you think a few months would change that?”

I wet my lips, not wanting to admit my insecurity, even if he makes me feel safe to. “That was before. We were just an idea then. Watching someone from afar isn’t the same as actually having them. What if this doesn’t live up to your imagination?”

Kole brushes his fingers over my jaw, pulling his hand back into my hair and tracing the scar hidden on the back of my head.

“That’s not possible when you’re my imagination come to life.” He rubs the scar again. “Come to dinner with me tonight.”

“Dinner?” We’ve never even had a date unless I can consider him chasing me through the woods and fucking me with the handle of his knife one.

“Dinner,” he repeats. “My parents texted for proof of life since I haven’t been over in a little while.”

My eyes widen. “You want me to join you for dinner with your parents?”

“My stepfather wants to talk to you again, and I’d prefer to be there when he does this time.”

I don’t like the sound of that, but at least this way, Kole would be at my side.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

Kole smirks, barely. “I already knew you’d go. That wasn’t actually a question.”

“Of course it wasn’t.” I roll my eyes. “God forbid you be polite.”

Kole pulls me to him, holding me against his chest and dropping his mouth to my ear. “No gods here, kitten. Remember? Only your Saint.”

Don’t I know it.

I shiver as he holds me to him, his teeth raking along the shell of my ear.

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