Page 22 of Poison Ivy
“Come on, Bram,” Tate says, sounding annoyed, but his eyes are boring into me. I can feel them without even looking at him. “Whatever this is, she apologised. Let it go.”
“Shut it, Tate,” Bram snaps. “This is between me and her. This bitch needs to be taught some manners.”
He reaches for me, and I flinch, bracing myself. But before he can grab me, Tate’s hand shoots out, gripping Bram’s wrist.
“Don’t touch her,” Tate growls. “We’ve got more important shit to deal with than you throwing a tantrum over whatever this is.”
Bram yanks his arm free, glaring at Tate. For a tense moment, I think they might come to blows. But then Torin steps forward, giving me a once-over with his gorgeous blue eyes and a smirk on his handsome face as he drops the cigarette and crushes it under his heel. “Who are you then? You new?”
“No,” I spit out. “I’ve been here for three years, you oblivious piece of shit.”
His eyes widen, and I groan inwardly. Sometimes, I just can’t help myself. As much as I wish I were Ivy, sweet, unassuming, nerdy… Poison is more my dominant personality. There is no getting away from that.
Torin’s eyes narrow dangerously as he steps closer, invading my personal space. “What did you just call me, little girl?”
I swallow hard, cursing my big mouth. But I can’t back down now. “You heard me. Or are you deaf as well as oblivious?”
A low growl rumbles in his chest. “You’ve got quite the mouth on you. I wonder what else it’s good for besides insulting your superiors.”
My cheeks flush with anger.Superiors?“Fuck you,” I spit.
Torin’s hand shoots out, gripping my chin roughly. “Careful, sweetheart. You’re playing with fire.”
I glare up at him defiantly, even as my heart races. Part of me is terrified, but another part is thrilled by the danger. This is exactly the kind of situation I usually avoid as Ivy, but right now, Poison is itching to come out and play.
“Let her go, Torin,” Tate says, his voice tight. “This is getting out of hand.”
Torin ignores him, his eyes locked on mine. “What’s your name, little firecracker?”
“None of your fucking business,” I hiss.
A slow, predatory smile spreads across his face. “Oh, I like you. You’ve got spirit.”
“I said let her go,” Tate growls, grabbing Torin’s shoulder.
Torin releases me and steps back. “Relax, Tate. I’m just having a bit of fun.”
I rub my chin where his fingers gripped me, glaring at them. “Are we done here? I have a class to get to.”
“Not so fast,” Bram says, moving to block my path. “You still owe me for earlier.”
“I already apologised. What more do you want?”
“Go,” Tate says, his tone low, dark and withenough danger in it for me to wonder what his angle is. But I don’t need to be told twice. Without looking back, I turn and head back the way I came, now having to take the long way around and probably be late for the lecture.
12
TORIN
“What the fuck was that about?”I ask, watching the feisty blonde hurry away. There was something extremely appealing about her, but I’m not sure what it is. Usually, I don’t go in for having creatures talk back to me, but that was something else.
Bram scowls. “The little bitch kneed me in the balls earlier when I almost ran her over. She needs to learn some respect.”
I snort. “Sounds like you deserved it.”
“Fuck off,” Bram growls.
“How have we never come across her before now?”
