Page 4 of Savage Rose

Once outside, I take a few minutes to stretch out my legs. One thing I have always loved about running is that it gives me a lot of time alone with my thoughts. But these days, spending time inside my head can be a little scary. I never know what kind of mood I’ll be in, whether I’ll be fine and able to handle everything or whether something will trigger me and I’ll spend the entire day in a bad headspace.

I fully admit to running from that guy yesterday out of fear that he’d get a glimpse of the churning mess of my raw emotions. And I’d been terrified he’d somehow look inside me with that oddly penetrating gaze of his and see just how well I’mnothandling things.

Stretches done, I head out. I’m just getting into the rhythm of my run when my heart jumps up into my throat.That can’t possibly be the same guy.

But oh yes, it is. And it looks like he’s headed straight for me.

Of all the freaking luck. I swear …

He puts his hands up in front of him and waves them a little to get my attention as he gets closer, essentially forcing me to either stop like he wants me to or zigzag to get around him like a weirdo. Would he chase me down if I did that?Ugh. Stop being a damn baby and see what he wants, Scarlett.

I bring myself to a stop and take a few deep breaths as he approaches.

I’m a little wary of him until he smiles at me with those damn perfect teeth, and—oh my God—the most perfect dimple.

“Hey.”Fuck me silly.And he’s put that dimple on full display. Just. For. Me. I blow out a sharp breath. There is no way he would know this about me, but dimples are my kryptonite, and I can’t stop staring. My eyes are fixated on it, in fact.

A slight grin tugs at my lips, and I point toward the road behind him. “I’m trying to run here. Should I be spooked that you showed up again for the second day in a row? What’s up with that?”

“Nah. We must have a similar training route, I guess. I was running my route in reverse today.” He reaches back as he bends one leg behind him, catching it and stretching his quad, then repeating with the other leg. My attention is drawn downward, and I watch him for a few seconds until he’s done. My eyes roam over him, appreciating every fine inch of his muscular body.

Holy gray sweatpants, Batman.My eyes widen at the sight of a distinctly large bulge behind the fabric of his athletic pants, and my gaze jerks upward. Only, that doesn’t help much either, as his T-shirt is kind of tight, stretched across the broad expanse of his powerful chest. It’s also drenched, and like yesterday, I can imagine the deliciously carved muscles of his sweaty abs and pecs hiding underneath his shirt. Heaven help me, I’ve got to stop staring at him like I’m a starving female and he’s a big hunk of man-meat.

“I want to say that I’m sorry for prying yesterday. I had no business asking personal questions. I didn’t know…”

My stare flies from where it was glued to his chest up to his dark brown eyes, which seem to be twinkling at me a bit. It’s like he knows I was just devouring him with my eyes.How embarrassing. But whatever.

Finally, I gather my wits enough to respond. “Oh, um. It’s okay. I just hadn’t expected to talk about my mom first thing in the morning. It’s still a little fresh for me.”

“I get that.” His probing stare leaves me off balance.

Shit. How is he doing that?

“How about we get to know each other, Red?” He shoots me the most adorable smirk.

I tilt my head to the side, pondering the significance of him nicknaming me so quickly while I eye his adorable dimple again. He doesn’t know my real name yet, so maybe that’s to be expected. My teeth clamp down on my lip.I’m flustered.This guy is clearly at the top of the food chain, and I feel distinctly like easy prey.

“That way you’ll eventually be more comfortable talking to me.” He offers his hand, and I take it because I don’t know what else to do. It’s big and warm and does funny things to my insides when he gently squeezes my hand as he’s shaking it. “Could I get your name? I’m Xander.”

“Scarlett.”

Surprise registers on his face, which I get a lot. His voice is gravelly when he replies, “Pretty name.”

“Yeah, my mother was very inventive, what with the red hair and all.” I point to my head and swing my ponytail behind me.

“Right. Well, I guess I’ll see you around then, Scarlett.” He gives me a wave and takes off running again.

“Okay. See you around.” I shout after him, then frown, puzzled at his quick departure.

Chapter 4

Has anyone evernothad butterflies on the first day of school? Someone who claims they haven’t must be inhuman. My anxiety is at an all-time high as I smooth the skirt of my uniform down and look at myself in the mirror on the back of my closet door. This would be the one drawback of an academy—the uniforms. And I know they are meant to put everyone on an even playing field, but at the same time,blech. At least the colors are okay—white button-down, black jacket with a little rose school logo on the chest, and a red-and-black plaid skirt. Could have been worse, I guess.

I shift around, tugging my skirt back into place. It seems to ride up a little when I move around, but whatever. The best part is that I’m not comfortable in skirts. Never have been, never will be. There’s something about being able to feel the breeze up my skirt that strikes me as bizarre. I’m not a fan of tights either, so that’s not the answer. Who wants to hike those up all day long?

At the last minute, I pull a pair of yoga shorts out of my dresser and yank them up underneath the skirt.Better.Less exposed. Now if only I didn’t have to button the shirt up all the way or tuck it in … and let’s not even discuss the stuffy blazer.I take a deep breath and release it in strangled puffs. It’s not like everyone else won’t be in the exact same uniform, probably thinking the same damn thing.Oh shit, I’m so nervous.

With a glance at my phone, I see I need to get going if I want to avoid being late. We took a tour last week, but I still have no idea where I’m going, if I’ll find people to sit with, or …

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