Page 72 of House of Pain
And it’s not as if he needed the education to get a job.
He was a Leveau.
“Pair up,” Professor Gabetown instructed. “You’re going to work with your pair for the rest of the year to grow this garden, so choose wisely. It’s going to be your main project, and I want to see some actual cooperation.”
Nice.
Jolene was a perfect choice, of course, but Blaze knew better than to ask her to be his partner for this assignment.
So, Blaze had to find someone else…
To his luck, Alecto sat alone at her desk, chin resting in her palm. She didn’t look as if she was trying to find a partner.
Blaze grinned to himself and immediately made his way towards her.
“How do you do, partner?” He dropped his book on the desk, making her jump.
Apparently Miss Black was lost in her thoughts.
She blinked. “No.”
Blaze cocked a brow. “I’m afraid you’ve lost the moment, and I’m your only option left, baby.”
Alecto glanced around the classroom.
It was so satisfying watching her face fall when she realized that everyone else was already paired.
Blaze pushed his chair closer to her, straddling it as he sat down.
Opportunities seemed to drop in his lap wherever he went. It was as if the Gods were giving Blaze their blessing to mess with this girl.
Blaze should fail Alecto in Herbalism for that little trick she pulled on him that made him lose the first game of the season.
He’d been nice to her recently. But that didn’t mean he forgot.
Alecto would hurt as much as he did.
If not more.
“So, where do we start?” he asked.
Alecto glared at Blaze for a moment as if she were trying to drill a hole in his skull.“I’m not going to do all the work for you, motherfucker,” she hissed. “And I’m not going to fail this class because you’re incapable of anything more than fucking shit up.”
Oh, it was delightful to hear how highly she thought of him.
Why the fuck did he even care about Alecto Black’s opinion anyway?
“Let’s make a deal,partner. What do you say?” Blaze leaned forwards into Alecto’s personal space, cocking a brow.
Alecto sucked on her teeth. “I’m listening.”
“You take the lead on this project, and I’ll be your most willing servant, doing everything you need me to do so we ace this gardenthingy.How does that sound?”
Alecto arched her eyebrow, clearly in disbelief.“And why would you be so kind?”
Before he answered her, Blaze slipped a finger in the pocket of his uniform jacket, taking out a small piece of black lace.
It dangled on the tip of his finger as Blaze cocked his head. “Well, you see, I’ve grown quite fond of you recently. And nothing would bring me more pleasure than makingyouhappy.”
