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“You got a gym session?” I ask, trying to tear my thoughts away from him naked.
He arches an eyebrow, as though he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Something like that.”
I sigh, trying to act nonchalant. “Well, enjoy.”
I make to leave, but he grabs my wrist.
“What’s with the pout, Duchess?”
“Nothing, I just need to get back.”
“To your room? For what? To listen to Mommy and the dean make out?”
I yank my wrist back. “Is this how it’s going to go? You got what you wanted, so now you’re being a dick.”
His eyes darken. “You think I got all I wanted?”
My stomach flip-flops at the naked hunger in his gaze.
His voice drops to a growl. “Oh, we didn’t come close, sweetheart.”
“Well, you’re not going about ensuring round two with this behavior.”
He cocks his head. “What behavior?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Making crass comments about my mom and ignoring me.”
“When did I ignore you?”
“Lunch.” I want to slap his smug face.
His eyes widen. “Seriously? You seemed fine, and I needed to talk to Dom. Wow, Duchess, who knew you were so needy.”
I flush and dip my head. Fuck. That was exactly what I was trying to avoid. I do not want him thinking I wanted anything more from him than he wanted from me.
“No, don’t go hiding. I like it.” He laughs.
He’s playing with me, but I can’t figure him out. Is it light-hearted, or is there a darker menace to his actions and words?
“I’m not hiding,” I lie. “I’m also not needy. A wave hello would have been polite.”
“I was holding my tray,” he points out. “I would have come over and said hi after I’d finished with Dom, but you were gone.”
I had left early. Without eating much. I felt far too on display sitting there on my own. My head is swimmy, and I realize that I ought to eat.
“I’ve got to go,” I say.
“Ah, don’t be that way, Duchess.” He puts his hand over his heart.
“I’m not. It’s fine, really. But I’ve not eaten much all day, and I need to. I feel a bit faint.”
“Are you okay?” All the mocking tone and expression disappears like a poof of smoke, and he seems genuinely concerned. His brow pulls down, his lips pinching.
“I’m fine,” I lie. “I really just need a blood sugar boost. See you later.”
I walk away because I’m getting hot and stressed. If I don’t eat, I could end up unwell. When I reach my mom and Nataniele’s quarters, I duck inside and go to their kitchen. I rummage around in the fridge and take out an apple, some cheese, and a chunk of bread. It’s basic, but it will do.
“Ah, eating pauper food?” Dom’s sneering tones make my back stiffen.
