Page 257 of Ruthless Court

“Forty-five.”

“An hour.”

I hesitate.

He notices.

“Tonight,” he says. “After practice.”

“I have reading.”

“You finished next week’s assignments by Saturday.”

“How do you know that?”

“You reorganized your room to avoid my game. A woman who irons sheets doesn’t leave assignments unfinished.”

I hate that he has me there.

“One hour,” I say. “No following me afterward.”

“I’ll drive you home.”

“No.”

“It’ll be late.”

“I can arrange a ride.”

“Hannah.”

“You wanted me to decide.”

His jaw shifts.

Then he nods.

“Fine.”

The victory should feel better.

Instead, I’m staring at his hands inside his pockets, wondering what he would do if I closed the distance.

Kane opens the stairwell door.

Noise rushes back in.

He looks outside, then angles his body to shield me again.

“Ready?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“Neither do we.”