Page 13 of Wicked Prince

"What can I say? I'm a wolf. When I see a little fawn running, I want to know why."

I stare at him blankly for a few seconds before managing a laugh. "Right. Maybe it has something to do with the whole creepy staring-at-me-in-the-middle-of-class thing?"

He chuckles. It’s something I didn't even realize people do outside of movies. Not guys who look like supermodels, at least. "My apologies. But it's not often I see a new face around here."

"Really? It's the first day of a new semester. I'm sure there are plenty of people you've never met before."

"There are," he concedes. "But I still know who they are. Their names, their parents, what they look like. You, on the other hand... You're a mystery."

"You know, there are easier ways to introduce yourself," I say flatly.

"I've never been a fan of the easy way," he shoots back, looking at me in a way that takes the breath from my lungs. He extends a hand and I flinch in spite of myself. His eyes glimmer, making it clear he noticed. "Lorenzo Rossi."

My heart is pounding in my ears no matter how much I scold it to be still. I instinctively clutch my bag close to my chest. As much as I want to turn and run, one, I'm really not sure how effective that would be, and two, I don't want him to think he won whatever little game of intimidation this is.

Reluctantly, I return the handshake.

"Amelia Donovan."

He holds my hand a bit longer than he needs to, and I can see the wheels turning behind those piercing eyes. "Donovan… that doesn't sound familiar."

"Doesn't it?" I pull my hand away. "Probably because I'm no one."

He frowns slightly, like he's trying to suss out some lie I have no reason to tell. Not as far as he knows, anyway.

Damn, this guy is perceptive.

I guess that shouldn't come as any surprise, though, considering who he is. And making sure he doesn't find out whoIam just became a challenge I didn't expect. Of all the people I thought might take an interest, he definitely wasn't on the list.

"And yet, you're here," he says pointedly. "Bainbridge doesn't make a habit of handing out acceptance letters to people who don't belong."

"Maybe they're trying to diversify, then," I say with a shrug. "If you don't mind, I have a class to get to, and as you already know, I can't name drop my way out of being late."

He moves to block me as soon as I try to pass, which is another thing that comes as a surprise even if it shouldn't.

"You don't need to be in such a hurry," he says, planting a hand on the wall behind me and penning me in. He's even bigger than he looks up close, and I have no choice but to look up at him, resisting the urge to sink against the wall. He gives me a devilish smile that matches the danger in his eyes. "You can always dropmyname. Goes a long way."

I scoff. "I'm sure it does. But I came here to get an education, so I'd like to go do that if it's all the same."

"I guarantee there are more things I could teach you than you'll learn in that classroom," he purrs, tilting my chin toward him. "Plenty of places I could show you, too, and they're a hell of a lot nicer than this."

I scoff a laugh, because I can't believe this guy. Not just his interest in me, either. "Does this actually work on some girls?"

His expression goes blank and his hand falls away. That's clearly not the reaction he was hoping for. "Most of them, actually."

I look him up and down, deciding that makes enough sense. "Well, I'm not most girls, so maybe you should go try it on one of them."

It takes more willpower than I want to admit to hold his gaze, but I stare him down, knowing anything else will be seen as weakness. Submission. Why I feel like playing his alpha game is beyond me, but I've been on a roll lately with stubborn, self-destructive behavior.

He stares back for a few moments that feel like eternity, and I can see the war going on within him. He's not used to being challenged, but he seems as intrigued as he is pissed, which is the opposite of the effect I was going for.

Finally, he steps back even if it's not by much, forcing me to brush against him to get by. I turn and walk toward the end of the hall, but I freeze in my tracks when he calls after me.

"Run along, little fawn. We'll see each other again soon."

I clench my jaw, resisting the urge to retort, and keep walking without looking back.

ChapterSeven

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