Page 42 of Strip Bare

A weird gasp-snort left me as I looked at him. "You're being ridiculous."

"He wants to fuck you," Kit said bluntly and I felt like I wasn't breathing as Kit moved closer.

"So?"

"So?" he repeated before laughing without humor. "You're mine."

“Funny, I don’t see your name on me.”

He leaned in closer and I shivered as his breath tickled my ear. “I’ll happily write it on your damn forehead if that’s what it will take.”

I pulled back and raised an eyebrow at him, expecting amusement or irritation on his face. Instead, I found desperation.

“Nice,” I said, deciding to play things off while I tried to work out what exactly he meant.

Kit pushed a hand through his hair and I watched in fascination. I had no idea what was bothering him so much, but if it was this bad, why didn’t he just say whatever it was that was on his mind? “I don’t know how else to tell you, Leo. I feel like I’m shouting how I feel in your face and you either don’t hear it, or you don’t want to listen.”

“Shouting what?” I asked, confused and he bit his lip.

“That I don’t want to pretend any more!”

I took another step back. “Okay. Then don’t. I get it, loud and clear. Alright? I’m going home, I need to study more before my exam tomorrow.”

“Leo—”

“Goodnight, Kit. Congrats on the showcase.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

"Are you feeling nervous?"

"Maybe a little," I admitted as I leaned across the breakfast bar to make a mark on the essay Harley had brought with him. "I think we're both going to do great though."

"I'll hold you to that prediction," he teased and I smiled. "You make all this look so easy."

I shrugged. "I study a lot."

"I'm not really a fan of books. Or studying."

"Are you sure you want to be a lawyer?" I raised an eyebrow and he laughed before leaning in closer.

"Honestly, I don't know. My parents are the ones who wanted me to study law."

"That sucks," I murmured, focusing on the words in front of me before glancing up and realizing I'd probably sounded callous.

"I mean—"

"No, you're right. It does suck."

The stairs creaked in the hall but I couldn't see anybody there when I looked up, so I resumed making my notes on Harley's paper while he read over mine.

He let out a low whistle. "You're going to ace this."

"You think?"

"I know," he said, tilting his head so he could peer into my eyes. I jerked up and his smile never faltered. "You know, some people like a guy with a big brain."

I cleared my throat. "Cool."

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