Page 18 of Claiming Kenna

“When you have found the one the honeymoon period never ends mama,” Kyan said and gazed at Claire like a love sick puppy. I rolled my eyes and smirked.

“If you say so,” I muttered and pulled my books out ready to start my day rather than wonder if that could ever be Cullen and I.

The morning passed without anything eventful happening and I found myself sitting at the table with Claire and Kyan, looking around for Cullen. He never seemed to eat lunch in here. He probably went downtown to a restaurant for lunch every day. I checked my phone and Crystal had sent a message asking if I wanted to try and work the floor tonight or go out for dinner because the room wasn’t booked. It reminded me that Cullen and I hadn’t talked about my work arrangements. I had a good chunk of cash in my account now from Cullen but I wanted to make my own money so I could still support myself when the next semester started next year. I decided to bite the bullet and message my mum back too and let her know I will be there a few days before Christmas.

The bell sounded, reminding us all lunch time was over and we needed to head to our last classes for the day. Kyan leaned in closely to me with a smirk, “Ready to see your naughty crush,” he chuckled.If only he knew the half of it.I settled on acting offended and giving him a light slap to the arm, pretending I was horrified at his rash joke. I followed the two new love birds out of the cafeteria who were walking hand in hand and acting as if they were the only ones that existed. I was envious of them plain and simple. The thought of a boyfriend a week ago made me cringe. Now it is all I can think about. Well Cullen is all I can think about.

We strolled into class and Cullen lifted his head from the paperwork in front of him and locked eyes with me. He nodded slightly to the desk at the front of the room in front of him. It was so minimal no one else would have noticed it. Like fuck I was going to sit that close to him. I nodded no and he frowned deeply.

“Are you going to get moving or not?” Another student said behind me. I had paused long enough in the doorway that there were students behind me lining up to go in.

“Sorry,” I mumbled and paced quickly to the back of the classroom.

“Damn girl look at you, you need to get laid,” Claire snickered under her breath.

“Not funny,” I said, sounding short and slumped down into my seat. Cullen was used to getting his way but I will never sit at the front of the room.

We spent the next hour in small groups putting together a presentation that we would all present at the end of the week as our last final task for the year. My brain was feeling overloaded with new information and I knew I was going to let my team down if I didn’t put in some serious study. They were all naturals at this and would no doubt go out drinking to celebrate the last few days of the semester. But I was already being carried by the rest of the group because my input was a lot less than everyone else. They never commented on it but I knew they must get frustrated.

“Right class, I have your results back from last weeks’ assessments. I will come round and place them down on your desks but all results and in depth comments have been emailed directly to you.” Cullen announced to the entire class. He made his way around the classroom dropping sheets of paper on everyone’s desks. He walked behind me and slipped mine onto my desk and gave my shoulder a small squeeze.

“Well done Kenna,” he murmured, then kept walking. I looked down and saw the A+ and nearly fell off my seat. Anger rolled over me. He must be giving me special treatment. This was taking it too far. This was my future he was playing with now like it was a big game to him.

“Shit Kenna, you aced it!” Claire said, scanning the page on my table. Everyone was packing up their school things and I followed suit. I was going to have it out with Cullen as soon as I got back to his apartment. Maybe things will be ending between us a lot sooner, than I thought. I haven’t been this outraged in such a long time.

I went to storm out of the classroom when Cullen called my name. I was tempted to ignore him but I changed my mind and spun around to go back to his desk, nearly taking out a student in the process. I stared down at him expectantly.

“I thought you would be happier with your results,” he said, eyeing me warily.

“Not when I don’t deserve them,” I huffed.

“Kenna, I marked your work fairly. I take my job very seriously despite our relationship. And I would never give you high marks if you didn’t deserve them just to blow smoke up your arse,” he seethed. Looks like now I have made Cullen even angrier. I should have known Cullen had high morals and wouldn’t do something so petty and immature.

“How could I get such a high mark though? Claire and Kyan didn’t even get A’s,” I whispered, feeling like an arsehole.

“We will talk more at home but maybe you should have more confidence in yourself instead of thinking the worst all the time,”

“Should I catch an uber?”

“If you wish?” he sniped, still reeling. I went to walk away when he stood and grabbed my arm. “Here you will need this to use the elevator and get into my place,” he stated and handed me a scanner.

IgotbacktoCullens before him and stood on the balcony looking over New York. It really was a winter wonderland this time of the year and a view I hoped I would never get sick of. I heard Cullens footsteps behind me and closed my eyes. Time for battle. I tensed when the footsteps neared but his arms pulled me back into him and he kissed down the length of my neck.

“Coming home to you standing on my balcony is the best feeling in the world. Even if it is snowing and we are catching hypothermia.” I burst out laughing.

“A joke Cullen? Am I rubbing off on you?” I asked.

“In more ways than you know,” he whispered in my ear.

I sighed heavily, hating that the vibe was about to sour. “We need to talk,” I muttered.

“That is usually said before a breakup?”

“Breakup? I don’t think we are actually a couple, Cullen.”

“We are definitely a couple as you put it. And yes we can talk.”

We were seated on his large couch and he pulled my legs over his. He stared at me openly for what felt like a lifetime. He wasn’t going to start and was leaving it all to me. I think he forgets sometimes how little experience I have with this kind of thing. Talking to a male about emotions and feelings was not my thing. Never has been. But there were too many unanswered questions and grey areas between us. I needed order and to know every detail so I began and dived right in.

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