Page 51 of Cruel Games

Kendrick followed after me and placed his hands in his jacket pockets. “Elizabeth might have suggested the prodigal son, but she didn’t know you would be in attendance.”

“Whatever.” Shaking my head, I glowered at the academy. The morning sun illuminated its white facade, making it shine like a buttercup, reminding me of the highlights in Orlando’s hair. Another lying wanker.

We continued in silence through the meadow, the only sound our feet crunching the gravel. As we approached the second arch, Kendrick asked, “How can I make amends?”

“Just go away until I forget you ever existed.”

“I won’t until you accept that I didn’t set you up,” he said.

“Why are you hanging around where you’re not wanted?” I snapped.

“Because I want to get to know you better?”

“Why?”

“You’re interesting.”

My feet ground to a halt. I turned around and glowered into Kendrick’s swollen face. “That’s the blandest thing I’ve ever heard.”

His cheeks pinked. “Perhaps I’m beginning to see why Maxwell and Orlando find you so fascinating.”

I rolled my eyes. “Going through puberty? Needing a little guidance with your burgeoning desires, are you?”

Cheeks darkening, he jerked his head away.

Triumph spread through my chest, warm and tingling and smug. “You’re a virgin.”

“I wouldn’t put it in such stark terms,” he murmured. “But I’m saving myself for the right woman.”

“Elizabeth,” I spat.

He gave his head a minute shake. “Her recent conduct has revealed personality traits I find intolerable. I no longer wish to associate with her.”

“Even if that means not becoming Lord Liddell?” I asked, brows rising.

“That’s my parents’ desire, not mine.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Really?”

“Until now, I didn’t realize Elizabeth could be so vindictive. You and your family did nothing to warrant such an attack, which is why I can abide her no longer.”

“Fine.” I continued walking through the archway into the manicured gardens. The scent of roses filled my nostrils, chasing away the juniper. “But if you’re looking for someone to guide you through a sexual awakening or whatever you call this fascination with me, go somewhere else.”

“Lilah?”

“What?”

“Say you forgive me.”

“I forgive you. Will you bugger off now?”

A loud, frustrated huff escaped his nostrils, and I suppressed a smile. He was so easy to tease. I wondered how he would be, squirming and naked on my bed. I’d never had a virgin before. But I’d never been with anyone apart from Sammy.

We passed the pond, but I saw no sign of the little, brown frogs on the lily pads. Maybe they’d all gone out to lunch.

Up ahead by the pyramids of roses, Gideon strolled alongside a much taller guy with blond hair. A smile spread across my lips. So, that was what Lachlan looked like without the silver hair wax. Gideon looked like he was giving Lachlan a tour of the gardens. Lachlan gazed at Gideon like he was the only thing worth looking at in these magical surroundings.

“Who’s that with Adewale?” asked Kendrick.