Page 23 of Shadows of Nightshade
I wasn’t sure why he thought he deserved any special rights to my time, but it was obvious that he believed he could do whatever he wanted. How did he become so arrogant?
I opened my mouth to respond—which would probably haveended with me embarrassing myself—but nothing escaped. I stared at him, my heart racing, as I stood speechless.
Then laughter—close enough for me to pick up—drifted over from the next row.
The sound shattered the enchantment cast over me—how could I have forgotten our position—and my face burst with heat. How would this scene appear to anyone passing by?
Damen’s eyes glinted mischievously. He must have had the same realization.
“Let me go,” I whispered. But my venom only encouraged him, and he smiled. My traitorous heart began to beat faster. “Someone might see us!”
“Really?” His grin grew wider. This was the expression he’d had when we first met. “Then it’s fine if we don’t get caught? Consider it noted.”
“No!” I screamed internally, even though my words were a weak protest. “You can’t play with students anyway.” Not that it mattered; there’d be no games between us—ever. “You’re basically a professor.”
“Ah.” He ran his finger down my cheek, and I shivered. “But you’re not my student. I can’t help it.” His lips dipped slightly, and he tilted his head as his gaze continued to hold mine. “You’ve taken root in my mind.”
What an idiotic thing to say.
“Why are you so annoying?” I gritted out. Plus, what even was that line? It sounded like something from a cheesy romance novel. I’d be shocked if that ever worked for him in the past.
Finn’s stupid, horny brother. He could go flirt with someone else. I didn’t even remember why I wanted his help anymore, because no matter how much I wanted to lean into his touch or melt under his scorching gaze, I wanted to poke him in the eyes that much more.
What a quandary.
It was only the sound of my name that saved him from getting hit where it hurt.
I looked in a panic at the far end of the aisle as the familiar voice registered. This was the worst possible thing that could happen. Finn couldnotknow I was talking to his brother.
Finn called my name again, closer now. He was shouting, which was so rude to do in a library. He was going to find us…
Damen glanced over his shoulder, and he frowned. “Why does he have to be so loud?”
“Will you stop?” I couldn’t hold back the hysteria bubbling in my chest. “Are you forgetting that Finn can’t find out I knowyou? This is a disaster.”
“Why?” Damen’s attention returned to me, eyes flashing with something threatening. “Because you think he’d get angry?”
I didn’t think—I knew. And my heart raced at the thought.
I’d betrayed him.
Damen’s voice had a note of challenge, but there was something else, too. It was almost as if his feelings were hurt. This made me feel guilty on top of my fear. I didn’t want to be mean.
What was wrong with me?
I was just about to apologize, but he continued, “Mylittle brotherdoesn’t scare me.”
What did that mean? I never even suggested such a thing.
I was still trapped, and Finn could find us at any second. And Damen didn’t seem to care. When all was discovered, Finn would know that I’d tricked him.
Just the thought made my stomach turn.
“But he does scare you,” Damen said suddenly.
I blinked, his words crashing through my agonized thoughts, and stared at him.
“Why are you afraid that he’d get mad over something this stupid?” His features were dark with concern. “What did he do?”
