Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“Shy, a little jumpy?” Seb adds, his dark brows furrowing.
“Yeah.” I bounce my leg up and down.
Something clicks inside my brother’s head, and his gaze becomes penetrating. “Leave her alone. She just enrolled and is here on an academic scholarship. Her grades are essential, and we both know schooling isn’t important to you.”
“That’s fucking rude,” I scoff. “You’re acting like simply because I ask about her that I’m going to fuck up her chance of going to school here.”
Seb shakes his head, remorse bleeding into his russet brown eyes. “Look, I’m sorry. That’s not what I mean. I just don’t want her chances of going here being ruined. She was very excited to be accepted into the school, and if I’m being honest, she’s a little naive. Given the chance, you’d have her eating out of the palm of your hand. Just find someone else for a good time, okay?”
Sex. He thinks this is about sex? I force my hand to remain flat against the couch, instead of forming it into a fist like I want to.
“That’s not what this is about.”
“Then tell me what it’s about because it sounds like it is. What do you expect me to think? You randomly show up here asking about a girl when I know you aren’t interested in anything serious. I can’t even remember the last time you were interested in something more than a hookup.”
Never. That’s not true, though, is it? I’d be interested in something serious, but only with Jude, though, I’m not going to tell my brother that.
“Nevermind, it’s not a big deal. I just wanted to know if you knew anything. Clearly, you don’t, so I’m going to go.”
He leans back in his chair, eyeing me with caution like I might blow up or something. “You’re almost as bad as Remington, only calling when he needs something.”
“That’s right, little brother, gotta use your job to our benefit.” I grin, getting up from the couch and walking over to the door. “I’ll see you for dinner on Sunday.”
“Sure, sure.” Seb cracks his knuckles and sinks deeper into his chair. It’s strange how well put together he looks. Slicked back hair, perfect suit that doesn’t even have a wrinkle in it. He’s happily married and has an adorable little girl named Maggie. He’s going places while I’m standing in the same spot. Same with my brother, Remington. Both of my younger brothers are doing something with their lives, and I’m working at the Iron Fist.
“Don’t work too hard,” I taunt from the door, pushing the sour thoughts away.
“I won’t.” He grins, plucking the pen up off the desk and getting back to work.
Walking out the door, I close it quietly behind me. Sighing, I realize I need to find something else to do. I’m not leaving here without Jude. I made her a promise, and I’m going to keep it, even if she so clearly doesn’t want me to.
6
Jude
I spend all three classes trying to concentrate enough to at least take notes for later. I knew as soon as we pulled up, that nothing the professors said today would sink into my brain. My thoughts are too jumbled, my mind overloaded with everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours.
After my last class for the day is dismissed, I gather up my stuff and head out, I have every intention of hiding out in the library for the rest of the day. But when I step out of the classroom, I immediately find Lex leaning against the wall. He’s gorgeous, of course, and gathers the attention of a group of girls who skirt by him.
“You can’t be here. You’re not a student,” I say extra loudly, hoping someone else will hear. Lex isn’t old per se, he’s handsome in a much more mature way than most of the guys I’ve seen here.
Completely unaffected by my statement, Lex smiles, showing off his dazzling smile. “My brother is the dean of this school. I think it’s okay for me to be here.”
Well, crap.
“Fine, be here, but leave me alone. I have studying I need to do.” I try to walk past him, but he reaches out and grabs my wrist, tugging me forward, causing me to bump into his chest. I hate how close we are and how the heat of his body rushes into mine, and how my stupid treacherous heart beats a little faster at his touch. I wonder if he feels my pulse at my wrist.
“You can study at my place.” That thick voice of his is low, and it makes my belly feel all kinds of funny.
“I’m not coming with you. I’m going home.” I raise my chin and steel my spine. I won’t be pushed around. I took orders for years, cooked and cleaned, and became a slave to a man. I won’t be a slave for anyone ever again.