Page 32 of Spearcrest Knight

“Mm,” he takes a sip and licks some milkshake from the corner of his lips. “I’m more than just my good looks.”

Hardly, I want to say, but I keep my mouth shut. His blue eyes are still fixed on me as he walks over to the kitchen island in slow, relaxed steps. To my relief, he stays on the other side, propping both elbows on the marble countertop. He takes a deep drink of his milkshake, wipes his mouth on the back of his hand, taking his sweet time.

Making me wait. Testing my patience.

“I need us to put our deal on hold for now,” he says finally.

“Absolutely not.”

“Hear me out, Sutton.”

I clench my fists but stay quiet, waiting for him to carry on.

“We have a literature exam coming up the week before winter break. You know I’m not lying; I’m guessing you have an exam too.”

I do. I’ve been revising for it for several weeks now. It’s an exam I have every intention of getting full marks on.

I doubt Evan has even read the books for it.

“So?”

“So, Sutton, I’m going to be sitting that exam, same as you. Except I’m not ready for that exam.”

“It’s not my fault you refuse to study for your own A-Levels.”

“No, but you are the one who’s meant to tutor me for this particular A-Level. So how do you think it’s going to go down if I fuck up the exam?”

Anger flares in my chest. “You wanted out of those tutoring sessions as much as I did!”

“I’m not saying I didn’t. Jesus, Sutton, quit being so defensive. I’m just saying, if we want to carry on our little arrangement, it would work out in both our favours if you help me get at least a passing grade on this paper.”

“If that’s what you wanted, then why not ask earlier?” I exclaim, this time unable to suppress the anger from rising in my voice. “The exam is in less than two weeks!”

“Honestly? I had no idea we had an exam because sometimes I just don’t listen to Mr Houghton at all.”

“Sometimes?” I ask in derision. “When do you listen to him, then?”

“Hey! I actually know that Hamlet is set in Denmark, so get off my case.”

I sigh, pressing my fingers to my temple. The headache throbbing there has been brewing for a few days now, but it’s really hammering into life through this conversation. I’m so furious my hands are shaking. Evan has been fucking about all term, he’s even blackmailed me into doing his homework for him. Now he wants me toactuallytutor him?

“I’m not going to do it,” I say, sliding off the stool to stand. “Forget it, Evan. If you want to do well in the exam, then do what the rest of us are doing and study for it.”

Evan narrows his eyes then slowly sets his glass aside. Wiping his hand on the back of his mouth, he skirts the kitchen island to stand in front of me.

If he’s hoping to intimidate me with his height, his broad shoulders and big arms, then he’s wrong. I cross my arms, waiting for him to make his move.

“Have I not been covering for you this whole time?” he asks. He speaks with that low voice, that half-smirk. Amiable and threatening all at once. “The least you can do is help me pass a fucking exam.”

“How much of a difference do you think a couple of tutoring sessions are going to make?” I meet his gaze and hold it, even though I have to step back and tilt my head up to do it.

“Then give me more sessions,” he says, and his smile unfurls, widens, becomes full of self-assurance.

“You really think I’m going to wastemyfree time so I can helpyoupass an exam?” I say, incensed. “You’re not just stupid, you’re delusional.”

Now his smile grows dangerous. He steps closer. Heat emanates from his skin, brushing against me. My heart is hammering, but not the way it did when I talked to Freddy. It knocks against my ribs, my pulse pounding in my throat. My gut squirms and heat burns in my cheeks.

It’s crazy how similar adrenaline can feel to lust sometimes.

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