Page 14 of Colton

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that she’s scared, despite her attempts of putting on a brave face. I can see right through that facade, the way her bottom lip quivers slightly, before she rolls it between her teeth.

Oh, fucking hell.

To try and keep the beast inside of me in check, I clear my throat, causing her to look at me. “Rubies are an interesting choice. Not many women wear it nowadays.”

Her hand instinctively goes up, touching her earring. “These were a birthday gift from Sophia.”

“Ah, Ms. Sloane.”

The girl is remarkable. Her grades are outstanding in every aspect, and somehow, she managed to get this entire Academy in the palm of her hand. There’s no official titles, or anything of the like, but if there is one person whose word is law, it would be Sophia Sloane.

She’s annoying, though.

She once called me a man whore, thinking I didn’t hear it. It was the beginning of our mutual dislike for each other, although she’d never outright admit it.

“Yes,” Ms. Evans smiles warmly, and something in me tightens at the sight. “Sophia has her flaws, as all humans do, but she’s an amazing friend.”

There’s something about her smile that’s simply foreign to me. It’s like the thought of her friend is enough to make her all warm on the inside. Is that normal? Is it socially acceptable to behave in such a way nowadays? Back when I was their age, the older generations firmly believed that showing any sort of emotions was the greatest weakness a human could have.

“Tell me, Ms. Evans—”

“Just call me Avalon,” she interrupts, and it ticks my nerves. “You’re almost twice my age, it’s weird to hear you use honorifics with me.”

I clear my throat. “Very well, Avalon,” her name spills from my lips like the sweetest candy, and I have to physically stop myself from having indecent thoughts running through my head. “Would you like to play a game of chess with me?”

“Sure.”

5

It needs to be studied exactly why I accepted the offer to play chess with the Dean, knowing damn well I suck.

I know the rules of the game, sure, and how it’s supposed to go, but strategic thinking has never been my forte. It’s no surprise whatsoever that I’ve now lost four games in a row. At this point, it’s just embarrassing to continue playing.

“Alright, I admit defeat,” I sigh, slumping into the chair, embarrassment written all over my face. He only chuckles in response, and I’m barely able to keep a straight face. The sound is dark, almost as dark as the night that surrounds us. There’s nothing but a candle to provide light, and it’s almost too cozy.

“You weren’t too bad,” he says, but the lie is obvious.

“No need to lie, my feelings won’t get hurt.”

“Fine, then,” he says. “You’re the worst player I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. Tell me, why did you agree to play with me if you knew your skills were this bad? Or were you simply unaware of how much you lack?”

“Alright, let me retract the statement — my feelings are getting hurt now.”

Colton chuckles, and it sends tingles down my spine. Why is everything done by this man so attractive? Or have I gone insane?

“My apologies, Avalon. How about we play something you’re more confident in?”

“Oh, such as?” I lean in slightly.

“Tic tac toe?”

I blink.

Then, a sudden laughter comes from me. It’s unexpected, and if anyone else had tried to speak to me in such a demeaning manner, I’d likely have Sophia or Grace bite their head off. Yet, I’m fairly positive Colton’s words have no malice behind them, and he is trying to be funny.

“That was a good one.”

“I can be hilarious when I see fit.”