Page 22 of Lovely Deceit

It would’ve been a betrayal of all I’ve given to and received from them. It would’ve meant immediate expulsion.

I’ve had many conversations with my father about why he had to stop me from going to the “stupid, young girl.” The way his tongue curled cruelly around the words sickens me. No wonder he had no problem getting rid of his daughter—my sister. I observed from a young age what he thought of females. He looked at them as possessions and objects. The more poised and beautiful the woman, the more valuable they were. They’re like diamonds. If you have a stupidly high carat count and a rare piece, you’re the king.

Eden is rare. If my father didn’t want me to go after the unique, exotic ones, he shouldn’t have showed me how to play the game.

The thing is, the generations before me don’t see her like that. A young nuisance, a pain in the ass, yes. But they don’t see the strength and vulnerability that appeals to me like no other. A year ago, I would’ve scoffed at her, too, but not anymore.

Students start entering. Gary first, who doesn’t spare me a second glance. He’s no doubt pissed that I threw the entire class out when I gave them the pop quiz to hide what Eden was doing to me underneath the desk. Just thinking about it makes my cock stiffen, and once again, I’m thankful for the enormous monstrosity hiding me.

More students filter in, and I find myself watching the door to see if Eden and Oliver will show. I already know I’ll take one look to make sure she’s okay, then I’ll ignore her like I’ve attempted to do through every class she’s sat in. The stakes are higher now, though.

I pull out my cell phone from my laptop bag and check for messages—not that I expect Leo to keep me updated on what he’s doing, but it couldn’t hurt.

As I’m staring down at the empty screen, a figure moves in front of me. “Professor.”

My heart skips. Swallowing, I slip my phone back into my bag before looking up. My tongue feels thick in my throat as I say, “Miss Astor.”

She’s beautiful. She doesn’t look anything like she did the other night. Her blonde hair is soft and shiny, perfectly straightened past her shoulders. Her blue eyes blaze as I look into them. They’re not open in fear or shock, they’re just sucking me in like high-powered magnets.

She turns her head to the side, and I finally notice Oliver behind her. He looks in much better shape today, too. I almost smile at him but remember where I am and what I’m doing.

“You don’t have anything to say to me?”

Her voice is so soft and sincere. Immediately, warning bells go off in my head. “We can talk later, if you want,” I tell her, keeping my tone even. I’ll bail before we get the chance. It’s a shitty thing to do, but it is what it is.

She purses her lips, then turns to face the class. “Okay, everyone out.”

The room goes silent. A few students even stop mid-motion. As for myself, I can’t stop staring at the crutches she’s leaning on. I swallow at the ball of emotion clogging my throat. She’s hurt…

“You heard her,” Oliver speaks up. “Everyone out.”

“What?” Gary exclaims, pure annoyance layered through his tone.

“Out,” Oliver says as Eden grips the handles of her crutches fiercely. “I hear they’re still serving lunch. You,” he says, pointing at a girl in the second row. “You should be eating more than crackers. Come on, you’re too thin. Get yourself a piece of chocolate cake.”

“Can I eat the cake off of you?” she asks in a deep, sultry voice.

“Listen, I already licked him this morning,” Eden says. “So, he’s mine.”

I have to press my lips together to keep from laughing, but Oliver looks like he could die and go to heaven right now. He beams down at Eden like she’s his sun. “I liked that.”

She smiles up at him. “I knew you would.”

He gives her a soft look before addressing the class again, who are still hesitant about what they should do. I just sit back because I find the whole thing amusing. “Really, go,” Oliver demands. “Barclay’s indisposed, but he’ll be ready next class.”

Gary grabs his bag. “This class is a fucking joke.”

I frown. That’s not good. Not that I’m in any danger of getting fired since the Knights run Carnegie, but I’m not a joke, nor will I ever be. “Don’t be salty that you failed the last quiz, Gary,” I call after him. “I expect all of you back next class having read the next two chapters.”

Some of the students leave like they got a new lease on life, and others shake their heads and give me dirty looks. It emphasizes the difference between who grew up like me and who got into Carnegie based on how smart they are.

Oliver shoos the last person out, then closes the door.

I stand from my desk, still attempting to keep up an appearance of authority. “Mind telling me what that was about?”

“Oh,” Eden says in mock surprise. She turns again, facing me, and I can finally see the black boot on her foot. “Did you want to talk about Knight business in front of them? I can call them all back.”

Oliver pretends like he’s going to open the door. Now that these two have teamed together, they’re too much. “What is it, Miss Astor? Mr. Smith?” I grin, remembering the fake last name that was on Oliver’s schedule.

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