Page 74 of Corrupt Educator (The Syndicate Academy)

Adrianna punches me hard.

“Ouch, what was that for?”

“For being an asshole,” she says, laughing. “Hernandez is the last person I’d go to the dance with.” Adrianna takes my other arm. “Let’s get down to the hall before we’re the last there.”

I nod and allow my two friends to steer me to the winter formal. I'm not excited about this party. There’s a buzz in the air, giving the often cold and serious school a thrilling atmosphere.

“How late does this party normally go on until?” I ask.

Camilla gives me an odd look. “This one we normally sneak away by about ten.” A wide smirk spreads onto her lips. “That’s when the real fun starts in the old ruins. The after-party away from the watchful eyes of the teachers.”

I swallow hard, knowing that I have no intention of sneaking off to that. All I want is for this party to be over and the winter break to be here, so I can stop avoiding the man that makes me burn for him. The man I long to kiss again. It’s only been five days, but it may as well have been weeks.

The moment I walk in through the grand mahogany doors into the events hall at the center of the school, I sense him. His eyes instantly on me from the corner of the room, drawing my attention to him.

Oak stands with Professor Daniels and Professor Jameson, looking magnificent in his dark tuxedo, but all I can think about is how he looked with his cock jutting out of the zipper. I never believed he could look more handsome than he already does, but in that tux, he’s devastating.

His eyes dip down the length of my dress, and when they move back to my face, they’re burning with desire.

“Did you hear me?” Adrianna asks, making me jump.

“Sorry, what did you say?” I ask, my attention snapping back to my two friends.

“I said that Dimitry’s over there.” She points. “Someone said he’s been looking for you.”

I sigh heavily. “Am I’m going to regret agreeing to be his date?”

“Probably,” Adrianna says, laughing. “Isn’t that what the formal is all about?”

I groan. “I don’t know. He’s coming over here.”

Dimitry walks over, a cocky smirk plastered on his face. “You look gorgeous,” he says, taking my hand and kissing the back of it.

“Thank you.” I glance at his tuxedo, which is an impeccable fit. “You look smart,” I say, trying not to be too forward. I can feel Oak’s eyes on my back, burning holes into me.

“How about a dance?” Dimitry asks.

I swallow hard, knowing that despite wanting to put it off, I can’t all night. “Maybe a drink first?”

He nods. “Sure, what do you want? I’ll get you a drink.”

“I’ll have a glass of white wine, please,” I say.

Adrianna clears her throat. “Make that two.”

He smiles, despite looking put out at becoming a server for the both of us. “Coming right up.”

“He wants to get into your pants. Otherwise, he wouldn’t fetch you drinks,” Adrianna says, shaking her head. “It’s best to tell him you aren’t interested in anything more than friendship sooner rather than later.”

“You’re probably right.” I swallow hard. “God, I miss going to an all-girls school. We don’t have this shit to deal with.”

Adrianna raises a brow. “True, but then it wouldn’t be as fun, would it?”

Dimitry returns swiftly with two drinks for us. “Here you are, ladies.”

I smile and take the drink. “Thank you.” I sip it, wishing his eyes weren’t fixed on me. I haven’t dared look in Oak’s direction since we entered, knowing he’s more than likely watching Dimitry’s every move.

Something tells me tonight is going to be painfully long. I can’t wait until it’s over. I can’t wait until it’s winter break, and I can spend two blissful weeks wrapped up in the arms of my gorgeous principal.

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