Page 77 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

I’ve had a lot of practice with that at home.

If I stay out of my mom’s way, she might not seek me out.

She might not hurl insults at me.

She might not notice me grabbing a snack from the pantry or eating an entire plate of dinner.

So I treat Tank like I’d treat Momma. If I shrink down and apologize now, he might feel powerful enough that he doesn’t need to cow me in another way.

A much worse way.

His presence over me shifts, softens, and he strokes a calloused hand over my cheek. “Don’t worry, angel. I’d make sure you liked it.”

He lifts my face to his, forcing me to look in his eyes, and then smiles.

“It’s hard not to imagine what you must be doing with Noah to earn his trust.”

I don’t say anything, not sure what he wants.

“I find myself a little jealous at times,” he continues, stroking my hair again. “Do you think you could ever forgive me for scaring you like I have?”

He wants to know if I could ever sleep with him willingly, and the thought is enough to make me sick.

Of course not.

Never in a million fucking years.

He’s also toying with me. He’s trying to mix fear and seduction in a confusing cocktail to keep me on my toes.

But just because I realize what he’s doing doesn’t make it easier to follow.

Before I can answer, he lets go of my hair and falls back in the seat, throwing his arms out in defeat.

“Women are all the same. Sex is too emotional for you. For men, it can be physical, all about release. But women can’t help but fall a little bit in love with whoever they fuck.”

He turns back to me, eyes narrowed to slits, his forehead wrinkled. “Can I trust you won’t fall for him?”

“For Noah?” I ask, trying to track his side of the conversation. “We haven’t slept together.”

Recently, my mind clarifies silently.

He taps a fat finger on his chin. “But you might, and if you do, I need to know it won’t screw with your head and make you useless to me. I need to know you can still do the job I’ve assigned you.”

“I can, I definitely can,” I say quickly. “It won’t be a problem. I’ve already told you, Noah is nothing to me.”

Tank frowns. “I’d feel better if I had some proof.”

“Proof of what?”

“That you can remain objective during sex. That you won’t fall in love.” His pupils seem to swallow his eyes, and he leans towards me. “Should we test it?”

My stomach bottoms out, and I can’t remember ever being so scared in my life.

“You have a big backseat, and I’ve got time,” he hisses, reaching over the console to squeeze my leg.

His hand climbs higher, moving up my stocking, but I grab his wrist before he can gain any more ground.

“I have to go,” I say, trying not to sound as disgusted as I feel. “I’m supposed to go meet Noah right now.”

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