Page 141 of Lessons in Cruelty

Bourbon for him.

He heads around the kitchen counter, coming right to my side, so close I can feel the heat of his body. I flinch at the soft clink my glass makes as he sets it down beside my hand.

“You’ll go back to class,” he says. “And when they make fun of you living in your car, you’ll laugh at them, because it won’t be true.”

My hand wraps around the glass as I try to summon that coolness to my face.

He’s too close.

His voice too intense.

My entire body is coming alive just from being in his aura. My skin flushing. My nipples tightening. My clit tingling. If he stays here much longer, there’s going to be a wet spot on this fucking kitchen stool when I get up.

“But it is,” I whisper, wanting this conversation to be over, but refusing to give him any ground.

“Not for much longer.”

My breath hitches when he scrapes a finger over the slope of my neck, moving my hair away.

To better see the bruises on my skin?

Or so that he can kiss my neck?

“I called in a favor. Gamma Alpha Zeta will provide you with full room and board this semester.”

My hair falls back into place.

I keep my eyes straight ahead, watching Bastian as he leans on his elbows beside me, face turned to me. Scanning my face. Watching my reaction.

“Now if anyone wants to make fun of you, you get to laugh in their face.”

My chest puffs out as I take a full breath. I turn, trying not to lean away, but Bastian is so close it’s like I’m waiting for a kiss.

Maybe I am.

Would I push him away if he tried?

His gaze is so steady on mine it feels like he’s delving into the depths of my rotting soul. And maybe it’s the booze giving me some backbone, but I force myself not to look away.

“I’d rather spit in their eye.”

“Would you?” He takes hold of my chin. “Then show me.”

Bastian’s never looked more commanding. Head tilted back, eyes hooded. So laughably in control, it shocks me that he’s a teacher and not a general in some army.

“What?” I whisper, my brain refusing to process his words.

“Spit.” He swipes his thumb over my bottom lip. “I want to see that fire you’re so proud of.”

I’m frozen. The wine makes everything fuzzy except his eyes.

“That’s what I thought.” He tugs away his hand, but I can still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin, tingling over my lip.

“All bark, no bite.” A flicker of a smile. “But we’ll fix that. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll bite exactly when and where I tell you to.”

I laugh.

He doesn’t.