Page 30 of Power Play

“I’ll treasure it.”

“I didn’t say you could keep it.”

“Too late.”

A faint blush moved beneath her makeup, though she didn’t look away this time. She lowered the cup and glanced over the books again while I opened the folder in front of me.

“Show me the syllabus.”

Charm pulled a neat packet from her bag along with a notebook, three pens, two highlighters, and enough sticky tabs to survive the semester.

I lifted one brow. “You brought your own department.”

“I came prepared.”

“You came armed.”

“My father believes preparedness is the difference between success and humiliation.”

The humor remained in her voice, but her hand flattened the corner of the syllabus twice before she caught herself and stopped.

I took the packet from her. “Your father wants you in Klein’s class.”

“He thinks she’s one of the strongest professors in the humanities department.”

“You aren’t in the humanities department.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re a fashion and design major.”

“I’m also aware of that.”

“Then why spend your final year taking a class that has nothing to do with your career when you don’t even sound like you want it?”

She leaned back and crossed one leg beneath herself. “Because I need an upper-level elective, Klein has an excellent reputation, and my father believes literature teaches discipline, perspective, and intellectual depth.”

“That answer came with a brochure.”

Charm sighed. “He wants me in the class.”

“That’s what I asked.”

“He thinks it’ll make me more well-rounded.”

“You’re already well-rounded.”

Her brows rose.

I let my gaze move down her body slowly enough that there was no confusion before bringing it back to her face.

Heat climbed into her cheeks, but instead of retreating, she placed one elbow on the table and rested her chin against her hand.

“That was shameless.”

“That was appreciation.”

“You’re supposed to be tutoring me.”