Page 62 of Cruel Prep (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 1)

I do things that would probably make my therapist classify me as certifiably insane.

When Finn is around, there is control. But unfortunately, none of it belongs to me.

The session ends not long after that. I say bye to Dr. Sharon, grab my backpack, and head out the door.

My mom’s rusted-out car usually idles in the parking space to the right of the front door during my appointments. She carries word puzzles and chips in her purse to keep busy while she waits.

But when I walk out into the late afternoon Texas heat, the parking space is empty.

Odd. Maybe she got caught up running an errand.

I lean back against the building to wait.

But just as I get comfortable, another car pulls up. This one is black, shiny… and all too familiar.

26

Lily

My stomach turns when Finn rolls down the window.

He rests his elbow on the door, arm straight out. When his fingers curl for me to get in, he isn’t even looking in my direction. His vivid blue eyes are shielded behind dark-tinted glasses.

If I had any self-control, I’d ignore Finn entirely.

Or, better yet, I’d turn and walk back into the lobby and wait for my mom there.

Instead, I walk to the curb.

“What are you doing here?”

“Giving you a ride.” He tips his head towards the passenger seat, silently asking me to get in. Though, I have a feeling it is less of a question and more of a demand.

“My mom will be here soon.”

He tilts his chin down, his eyes finally landing on me from over top of his sunglasses. He is every teen heartthrob in history wrapped into one. Finn is mysterious, viciously handsome, and, most dangerous of all, focused on me. My heart catapults in my chest just being close to him.

“You sure about that?”

I frown and open my mouth to answer, but Finn cuts me off.

“Check your phone.”

My phone has been on silent since my appointment, and when I pull it out, I see a missed text message from my mom.

Last-minute meeting. One of your friends from school said he’d come get you.

Finn looks up at me and grins viciously. “She called me a perfect gentleman,” he says. “I don’t think she knew what I had in mind for us this afternoon, though.”

Shit. I don’t know how he arranged this and to be honest, I don’t want to know. It’s just more of the same, anyways: Finn Foster pulling the strings at Ravenlake Prep like he has since the day I arrived.

I haven’t seen him since I left his house, but the rumble in his voice is familiar to me. It’s like a siren song. Warmth pools low in my belly, and I step off the curb, drawn to him despite the warning bells chiming in my head.

When I get in, he peels out of the parking lot before I can even get my seat belt on.

“Did you talk about me today?” he asks. “I bet your therapist would have a conniption if she got a peek into my mind.”

“No.”

---