Page 5 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

But I know that she’s feeling what I’m feeling.

Being this close again stirs up bad emotions. Bad memories.

It’s been two years since I was this close to her. Now, seeing her face in detail again, I’m reminded of everything I’ve purposefully forgotten.

And how much I hate it. Hate her.

I hate those glossy lips. That deft pink tongue. The soft, creamy skin of her cheeks, her neck, her tits.

I step towards her and swat her drink to the ground. The liquid inside spills over the leaves and splatters on our legs.

“What the fu—?” she gasps.

When she sees the look on my face, the curse dies on her lips.

Now, she’s scared.

Terrified, actually. As she should be.

I can see it in her gray green eyes. In the way they dart to my face and then the area surrounding us.

We are far away from the general party area.

And even if we weren’t, there’s enough debauchery out here that a couple shouts would go unnoticed.

No one is coming to save you from me, Penny.

“You fucked up,” I announce.

She frowns. “What are you talking about?”

Her chin is raised defiantly.

But there’s no mistaking the fear in her voice.

I give her a cold grin. “You knew the rules of our deal. And you broke it. There’s a price to be paid for that.”

She presses her back against the tree, even though there’s nowhere for her to go.

I’ve had her in this position before. Years ago.

But this is different. Much, much different.

Penny swallows, her pale throat bobbing. “I didn’t break any rules. I didn’t do anything. Please just let me go.”

I shake my head. “Not a fucking chance. Actions have consequences, Penny.”

Her lip is trembling now. “You’re the one who came and found me. I didn’t do anything.”

She presses a hand to my chest to push me back.

Bad move.

I wrap my hand around her wrist. In an instant, her arm is pinned above her head and our bodies are pressed together.

Her breath catches. I don’t miss the way she leans towards me, rather than away.

Some habits are hard to break.

---