Page 16 of Wicked Elites

“Enlighten me.”

He inched forward, engulfing me in a scent that reminded me of the forest, a mix of sandalwood, wild mint, sweet cedar, and musk.

My mind conjured up images of a sexy Oberon, the King of the Fairies wanting to make me his Titania. Then the part of my brain that was less prone to whimsy slapped away the silly fantasy. I needed to return to the academy before I made an even bigger fool of myself.

The vision of masculine, green-eyed beauty continued staring at me with a hopeful light in his features. He’d asked me a question, and I still hadn’t answered.

“I meant to say I don’t usually go to parties.”

“You prefer more intimate gatherings?” His voice lowered with insinuation.

“Yes.” I squeezed my eyes shut. Had he been talking about sex? “No. I just want to go home by taxi.”

He pulled open the door, letting in a gust of cold air. “Then we’ll wait together.”

The butterflies in my stomach made panicked flaps with their wings. Guys like that with perfect bodies, perfect skin, and dazzling smiles didn’t fall for the maths prodigy. Guys like that laughed at the geek. Even though his features showed no trace of mockery, I needed to get away and lick my wounds in peace.

“It’s really nice of you,” I squeaked. “but—”

“You’d rather wait alone in the dark?”

I would rather not be toyed with, but that wasn’t the kind of thing a person could say to someone who had been nothing but cordial. He stood patiently while I called and even recommended a taxi firm closer to Hessington Hall.

Then he waited at my side, a beacon of manly perfection next to my dumpy frame. I stole a glance at his regal profile and shrank away, conscious of my inappropriate and dowdy cocktail dress.

This was torture. At any minute, Leopold and his blow job companion might burst through the door and laugh at me for being a pervert, and this guy would probably join in on the merriment. That’s how things worked at Cummersdale Comprehensive.

I sighed and turned my gaze away from him. Beyond the courtyard where everyone parked their cars, stretched a driveway that led to the road. The occasional vehicle sped past through the tall juniper trees that bordered the property, but none turned in our direction.

After twenty minutes, he said, “I don’t think your taxi is coming.”

“But I called—”

“It’s Friday night. Most of the taxi companies are in better-populated villages, which means someone has to drive out here to get you back to Carlisle. It’s far more lucrative for drivers to make several short trips around town.”

Shoulders slumping, I reached into my purse and muttered, “I’ll call another one.”

“Or I can drive you home.”

My survival instinct kicked me in the gut. “No, thanks.”

“What’s this?” He chuckled. “Your mother told you never to go with strangers? Well, she was wrong.”

I bowed my head. Right now, Mom would tell me to go back into Hessington Hall and have a pleasant conversation with the young man, while I waited for Ashley. Dad would demand that I ignore the handsome devil at my side, call four cabs, and drag Ashley out of Hessington Hall.

But they weren’t here. I would never speak to them again. Never see them. Never… my throat thickened, my face grew hot, and tears welled up in my eyes.

“Did I say something wrong?” the playful tone in his voice vanished, replaced by concern.

I shook my head and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.

“You’re crying.”

“You just reminded me—”

“When did she die?” he whispered.

My head snapped up, and I met eyes softened with compassion. “How did you know?”