Page 32 of Echoes of Us
"Social psych final tomorrow."She tried to focus on her notes instead of the heat radiating from his body, the way his presence seemed to steal all the oxygen from the air."Physics isn't until Friday."
"Ah."He set the card down with deliberate slowness, then circled the table like a cat stalking prey.When he pulled out the chair across from her, the movement was pure liquid grace.He sprawled into it with the kind of effortless confidence that came from knowing exactly how good he looked, one arm draped over the back of the chair, his Yale crew team t-shirt pulling just right across his chest."Dale also mentioned you might need some help with that."
Ashley's breath caught.The Cole from the party had been all sharp edges and cruel smiles, wielding his beauty like a blade.But this...this was something else entirely.The way he watched her now was different - still intense, still dangerous, but tinged with genuine curiosity."Did he?”
"Mhm."Cole leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.In the lamp's warm glow, his usual mask seemed to slip just slightly."Though I have to admit, I'm curious why someone who clearly hates physics would volunteer for a summer of it."
She should be careful.Should keep her distance.Every alarm bell in her head was ringing - this was the same man who'd had a girl on her knees just days ago, who treated women like disposable pleasures.Instead, she found herself… drawn to him."Maybe I don't hate it.Maybe I just haven't had the right...perspective."
His eyes darkened at her words that predatory focus returning."I could help with that."
Ashley's brows furrowed."What?”
"Tutor you," he said, and though his smile wasn't quite predatory, it held enough of an edge to keep her wary."For your final."
She studied him carefully.Everything about this Cole Westwood screamed danger - from the lazy confidence in his posture to the way his fingers tapped an absent rhythm on the table like he was already planning his next move.She should say no.Should make an excuse.Should do anything except- "Okay."
His eyebrows rose slightly, genuine surprise breaking through his calculated demeanor.Like maybe he hadn't expected her to agree.Like maybe he hadn't expected himself to offer."Okay," he echoed, that mask of indifference sliding back into place.Then added, with a dangerous curve to his lips, "But not tonight.You look like you're about to fall face-first into your notes."
"Wouldn't want to ruin your reputation by being seen with the library girl," she said before she could stop herself.
Something sharp and interesting flashed in his eyes.Instead of the cruel comeback she expected, he let out a low chuckle - not quite genuine, but not entirely fake either.The sound made her heart stutter traitorously in her chest.
"Friday," he said, unfolding himself from the chair with that liquid grace."After your social psych final.We can start with the basics."
"I know the basics," she protested automatically, even as her mind screamed at her to stop antagonizing him.
His smile turned, knowing but not cruel.Almost...playful."We'll see."He took a step back, then paused."Two days, Ashley."
The way he said her name - like he was testing how it felt on his tongue - made her chest ache.She watched him disappear into the shadows, her heart thundering against her ribs.
Two days.She stared at the space he'd vacated, trying to reconcile this version of Cole with the one from the party.That Cole had practically paraded his conquests in front of her.This one offered physics tutoring at midnight in a deserted library.
The whiplash of it all made her want to laugh.Or cry.Or maybe both.Was this how it started?A quiet moment in a library, of all places?Or was this just another one of his games - one she was walking into with her eyes wide open because she couldn't help herself?
She gathered her notes, movements sharp with frustration.The worst part wasn't that she'd agreed to let him tutor her.The worst part was that some twisted piece of her wanted to see every version of him - even the ones that might break her heart.
God help her.
* * *
Ashley's handtrembled slightly as she turned her key in the lock.The walk back from the library felt surreal, like she was floating between two versions of her life - the one she'd lost and this new, precarious reality she was building.
Soft lamplight spilled from beneath the door.Of course, Sarah would still be awake.
Her friend sat cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by physics notes, her strawberry-blonde hair falling out of its messy bun.She looked up as Ashley entered, then did a double-take."You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Something like that," Ashley murmured, dropping her bag by her desk.The memory of Cole's smile - not quite kind, but not cruel either - flickered through her mind.
"Spill."Sarah pushed her notes aside."You've got that look."
"What look?"
"The 'Cole Westwood just did something that's going to ruin my life' look."
Ashley sank onto her bed, pulling her knees to her chest."He offered to tutor me in physics."
Sarah's pencil clattered to the floor."He what?"
