Page 17 of Lured By Shadows

Because the uncomfortable truth lingered anyway, unwelcome but persistent. Deep down, I knew she’d been right. There was something between him and me, something pulling whether I wanted to admit it or not.

The worst part was that I couldn’t tell if I was more afraid of her noticing it… or of how badly I wanted to see where it would lead.

5

“So,” Culver said, shifting the conversation with ease, “you have begun a project?”

“How did you—” I blinked, then remembered the folder tucked under my arm. “Right, yeah. We’re grouped up for something. I think they want me to handle the report.”

He nodded once, as if storing the information away. “Did you take notes?”

“Lots.” I lifted the folder slightly. “Thankfully, they just started assigning partners, so I’m not too far behind.”

“Do you enjoy writing?” he asked as we turned the corner.

I thought about it for a second, my mind drifting away from the moment. “I don’t hate it, but I wouldn’t say I love it either. It’s more of a get-it-done sorta thing.”

“I see,” he said, that restrained almost-smile touching his mouth again. “I enjoy reading more than writing, but if you require assistance with your report, do not hesitate to ask.”

I let out a light laugh. “I’ll survive, thanks. I’ll go to my partners first, since, ya know, you’re not even in my class.”

“I am in the advanced course, though,” he replied, dragging his fingers through his unruly raven hair as though he’d just made a very convincing point.

Oh, so he was smart and dramatic. Fantastic. Just what the world needed.

The slight crease between his brows gave him away, though. Subtle, but real. He was still bothered I wasn’t in his class, even if he tried to play it off.

His ego was real.

And he wasn’t bad-looking, either. Actually, he was almost unfairly attractive if you really stopped to take him in, the sort of face you’d expect to see painted in oils and hung somewhere dim and expensive. But it wasn’t only his features that made people look twice.

His build was lean, but I’d already noticed the quiet strength in his forearms earlier when he’d picked up my folder, subtle but impossible to miss. And his hands, broad and strong, looked as though they could handle something carefully… or crush it without hesitation if they chose to.

I was getting lost in thoughts I probably shouldn’t have entertained when he stopped suddenly and said with a seriousness that matched his tone, “And we have arrived.”

His eyes flickered with something softer, a brief flash that almost resembled satisfaction. “Although, this is the last seminar of the day.”

I snapped back just in time to avoid walking straight into the doorframe. Blinking, I took in the open classroom, half the students already seated and a few quietly watching us.

“Right,” I said, forcing my attention back where it needed to be. “I’m only taking three classes.”

“You will settle in soon enough,” Culver replied, leaning against the doorway as though it had been made for him. He stared off for a moment before looking back at me. “I suppose I will take my leave. I will await you after class, little lamb.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Really, again?”

He didn’t answer. He just smiled, that quiet, maddening curve of his mouth.

The nickname should’ve irritated me, but I couldn’t deny the ridiculous little rush that surfaced every time he said it.

I turned quickly and walked inside before I could lose what little composure I had left. Once I found an empty seat, I let out a slow breath, trying to convince myself I could finally relax.

Even then, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, his presence lingered stubbornly in my thoughts, refusing to fade just because he’d left.

The scent of his cologne clung to me, and the longer I sat there, the more it felt as though I was breathing him in. The recognizable scent made my brows furrow. I found myself wondering what he was wearing with vague, distracted curiosity because I didn’t hate it. In fact, I was starting to realize there were a lot of things about him I didn’t hate that I definitely should’ve.

“Hi,” a soft voice said beside me.

I turned quickly, surprised by how quiet she had been.