Page 79 of Redeeming the Villain

Phillip: I know I’m the worst, okay? But I’m running so far behind this morning. Meet up after class? I’ll bring some coffee.

I laugh, knowing I shouldn’t be surprised by his tardiness. He’s always run on his own clock. I type a quick response.

I’ll take notes for you.

Phillip: You’re a lifesaver. I owe you.

Yeah, you owe me a coffee, LOL.

Sliding my phone back in my pocket, I look back up at Malik, finding his stare burning into me.

“I told you there’s no going back after last night. My name might as well be tattooed on your skin and yours on mine.”

My lips part, and butterflies take flight in my stomach. I know he’s a man of his word, but I wasn’t fully prepared for what being Malik’s would entail.

Stepping toward my desk, I lean over the small railing dividing our rows. “Who said I wanted to go back?”

“That flirty smile on your lips when you were texting.” He lifts his hand and cracks his knuckles.

This shouldn’t turn me on … right? But there is something so incredibly hot about seeing him bent out of shape over a text.

“You know you’re a little possessive, right?” I bite down on my bottom lip and grin, watching his lips twitch upward.

Reaching forward, he wraps his fingers around my throat and squeezes just therightamount. “Oh, baby, you have no idea.”

“Jesus, Malik. I know you don’t like her, but there’s no need to choke her out in class.” Asher bursts out laughing as he walks in the room.

“Careful, Ash. You’ll be next.” Malik laughs.

Malik releases me, although I could have stepped away anytime I wished. Embarrassment floods my cheeks, and I take my seat next to Sunny.

Sunny looks up at me, and I wonder what she thinks of Malik. Clearly, she likes him enough to have snuggled in my bed with him last night while I was at dinner.

Images keep playing in my mind, flashing clear as day as I remember what happened. I think he might be right though; no one else could make me feel the way he does. As alive, as on fire, as euphoric.

Part of me wonders if this is only about sex to him, but I find it hard to believe. Especially after the way he held me once I relaxed between his legs, wrapped in his embrace. I could feel it like a tangible being—the connection between us. The kind that doesn’t just happen after one encounter, but one that has been building for years and years, manifesting and warping into the beast it is now.

“Alora?” Malik calls out my name.

Hearing it tears me from my thoughts, and I turn to find Malik, Asher, and now Dean all staring at me.

“You all right?”

I nod. “Yeah. Sorry. I think I zoned out. What’s up?”

Malik’s eyes and smirk tell me he knows exactly what I was thinking about.

Malik interrupts Asher as he opens his mouth. “Nothing. He’s just being a little fuck.”

Asher glares at him but remains silent.

Ooookay.

The rest of the class starts filling up, and the next hour flies by as I take notes like my life depends on it. I know that my family’s money and name could buy my degree. But I want to earn it the right way.

After I finish jotting down notes from the professor’s last PowerPoint slide, I pack my things up.

Slipping my backpack over my shoulders, I lift Sunny’s leash, and she stands up, stretching her legs. Blair walks out with Griffin and Lumi, giving me a little wave as they whisper to each other, clearly deep in conversation. I’ll catch up with her later.

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