Page 68 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

Eli glances up from the book in his lap. One corner of his lips tilts up.

My stomach swoops.

“Going somewhere?” he asks. “Last I checked, you’re supposed to ask for permission.”

Is it possible that my face gets hotter? I’m burning from embarrassment… and a smidge of hatred. I survived a whole semester of him existing in the school—during lacrosse season, nonetheless. Why couldn’t he just stay the hell away?

“Not from you,” I say.

The class rustles around me like leaves in the wind. I can’t wait to hear how this will turn into gossip and fly around the school.

Eli’s smile widens.

I shake my head, daring him to say something, but he doesn’t. He watches me hurriedly pack my bag and throw it over my shoulder. I walk as calmly as I can to the door, out into the hallway.

Stairwell, up instead of down.

Roof access.

I shove the heavy metal door open and use one of my textbooks to keep it ajar, then cross to the ledge. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes.

Eli and I used to come up here. It was a getaway when things got too rocky.

And I hadn’t been back. I couldn’t.

The roof reminds me of Eli, plain and simple.

That used to be a bad thing… but he’s here anyway. He’s not going anywhere, as far as I can tell.

How do I make him leave me alone?

I hop onto the ledge and swing one leg over, letting it dangle. The cool fall breeze rushes up the side of the brick wall, snatching at my hair. The first time I came up here, it was sophomore year, just at the beginning. Maybe even the first week of school.

I was having a panic attack. Mom was finally home, but it didn’t stop my worry. Some things just become routine, you know? So I was in class, and the feeling of being trapped was inevitable. It came in the form of history class, and I suddenly couldn’t breathe.

It snuck up on me a bit.

I asked to go to the bathroom, took the hall pass, and booked it out of there.

Two girls in the bathroom suggested the roof and how to get there. But when I rushed up there… I wasn’t alone.

I close my eyes, not wanting to remember what happened next.

How he seemed surprised to see me invading his secret spot—but he wasn’t mad. He beckoned me closer, rubbed my back while I tried to get my body under control.

And he kissed me up here.

A lot.

Touched—

Stop it.

I open my eyes and swing my leg over to safety. I grab my bag and textbook and hurry back down the stairs. Back into the classroom. No one says anything, especially Eli. I thought he’d have a witty comment, but he stares at me like he’s never seen me before.

Interesting.

17

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