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Chapter 40
Astrid
I sigh when Bryce demands we talk in private. He claims he has things we must discuss. I only meet him in the stacks because he has my money, and I want confirmation on Wyatt. The temperature is dropping as I hurry across campus, and I realize I’ll need a warmer coat. I could use that money. Charlotte has been generous, but she has to be tired of me borrowing her things.
I wait upstairs for Bryce, and this time he’s on time. “Good,” I tell him, “I need to get some rest. We have a meet in the morning.”
“Come on,” he says. I follow him into the corner stack but keep my distance. I thought I had a crush on Bryce, but he’s really pissed me off. At first, I couldn’t understand how my father ended up so cold until I saw it in Bryce. We’re almost in the corner when he actually tries to kiss me. After all the shit he’s put me through. I push him away. “Are you kidding me?”
“You shouldn’t be mad at me,” he says, “I should be mad at you.”
“What?” I shout, “I did nothing wrong. You stole from me and set me up.”
He has the nerve to look at me like I’m making it up. “How did I set you up?”
“In Wyatt’s room,” I lower my voice, “And I heard an interesting thing. I wasn’t the first girl to be given that task.”
Bryce’s attitude shifts to serious. “That wasn’t supposed to happen. It was supposed to only be you and me. What’s going on with Wyatt?”
“What do you mean?” I ask, on the defensive.
“Why do you want him reinstated? Are you in love with him?”
I blink my eyes, as the thought hadn’t occurred to me. “No.”
“Then what about Justin?” he continues, “He keeps talking about a portrait you’re going to sit for.”
I hold up my hands to stop the barrage of questions. “Stop trying to make this about my actions. You’re the one who’s acted badly. You torment me, you lie about me, and you stole my money. Perfect boyfriend material. Is that the norm in your privileged world?”
“You’re right,” he says softly, “I’ve been a dick. Because I’m jealous. It was supposed to be you and me, Astrid. I told them that when I first saw you.” Bryce moves closer until he’s too close. “Whatever you want as long as it’s only me.”
I avoid his gaze. “So you can get even with Wyatt?”
“Come on, Astrid.” He sighs. “I don’t act like this. You must hear what they say about me. I’m cold and calculating, but when you’re around, I do the stupidest shit.”
Bryce leans in until our lips are close. The chills start again as if my brain has forgotten all the hurt he’s caused.
“I want you to pay attention to me only and forget the other guys. Can you do that?”
“I hate you,” I whisper.
“That’s not a no,” he replies.
I smile despite myself. Bryce bends toward me with a kiss, and I lean into him, my hands resting on my chest. He pulls me closer, and I feel a pinch of guilt. It started like this the last time before those hateful things happened. His tongue pushes against my lips. And I hold onto him as his hands slide down my back and settle in the curve of my back, pulling me close again. My eyes lower, and I feel him hard against my leg as we hide together in the stacks.
“Why don’t we start where we left off?” he whispers.
I scoff. “You always have that on your mind.”
He takes my hand and guides it down along his body until his bulge is under my fingers. Bryce smiles. I’ve done guys before, but this is too complicated, and falling in love with a snake is a wrong move.
“That feels good,” he whispers as he kisses my neck, “You know what? It would feel better in your mouth.”
“My mouth?” I whisper. “I don’t…”
He moans. “Astrid, I’ll take care of you.”
I smile wickedly. “Not until we’re even.”
