Page 24 of Wicked Prince

I’m well aware that guys in general aren't great with rejection, and while Lorenzo is definitely a cut above the usual insecure college douchebag, he's still a man.

"It wouldn't be very hospitable to invite you over and expect you to walk," he counters, motioning toward the sofa. "Have a seat."

I'm not sure if he knows just how commanding he makes even the most casual offer sound, but I'm choosing my battles. I sit down on the edge of the sofa, far enough away that he has plenty of room to keep a distance. To my relief, even though he sits close to me, it’s not so close that we're touching.

"So, I got your note and I'm here," I begin. "What is it you wanted to talk about?"

His face is a calm mask that betrays little, but there's amusement in his gaze as it travels over me a bit too freely. "Does it have to be about anything? Maybe I just wanted to enjoy your company."

"If you just wanted to enjoy someone's company, you have plenty of options," I say flatly.

"I saidyourcompany," he repeats, leaning in with his elbow propped on the back of the sofa. He holds my gaze, but not in the staring down way I'm used to from my father. Honestly, the most intimidating thing about Lorenzo is that he doesn'ttryto be intimidating. It's just his energy, and it has more of an effect on me than I want to admit.

I shake my head to clear it. It's time to cut to the chase. The ambiance he's so calculatingly put together with this place is going to make it way easier to get lured in by his charm.

"Look, I know what you're doing."

"Do you?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

"This is about the kiss." He doesn't deny it, but he doesn't say anything else, either, forcing me to go on. "I told you it was a mistake."

"Yes, I recall."

I frown. "Itwas."

"So you say."

I stifle a growl of frustration. "Are you always this cocky?"

"It's not arrogance if it's true," he says in a flippant tone, studying me with the casual air of a god who just felt like amusing himself by talking with a mortal.

I roll my eyes so hard my head aches. "There it is. Look, let's cut through the bullshit, okay?"

"Please, let's," he says, his pleasant tone laced with condescension. I want to punch him square in that perfect jaw, but anger is by far the least concerning effect his words have on me.

"You're an attractive guy," I begin, refusing to let him get to me. "I know that. Everyone at school knows that. Youcertainlyknow that, so there's no point in pretending otherwise."

"So what's the problem?" he counters. "If I'm attracted to you and you're attracted to me, it seems like it should be pretty straightforward."

"That's where you're wrong, Bucko." His lip quivers with amusement, which just pisses me off more. "I'm not looking to be your next flavor of the week. And hot or not, attention from you comes with a whole lot of baggage I'm just not interested in carrying. Baggage I'm going to be stuck with while you've moved on to the next idiot with more eyes than brains."

"Baggage," he echoes thoughtfully. "And what might that be?"

"I find it hard to believe you don't know, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt," I tell him. "The girls who cornered me in the bathroom to accuse me of stealing their property because someone knew we kissed for all of two seconds, for one thing."

The look of surprise on his face, slight as it is, seems genuine enough. "Who?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm not snitching so you'll come to my rescue. I'm just telling you, it's nothing personal, but this has to end here," I say firmly. "I don't know who else knows about that kiss, but I don't want this going any further than it already has."

He doesn't respond right away, but he actually seems to be considering my words. "If it's a matter of discretio—"

"It's not," I interrupt. "I'm not interested in being your secret fling any more than I am your public conquest."

"And what if I don't want you to be either of those things?" he challenges.

I blow a puff of air through my nose. "Do you even know how to have anything else?"

I expect him to shoot back with the kind of smartass response that comes so easily to him, but not the way he pauses like he's actually considering that, too.

---