Текст книги "Finding My Prince Charming"

Автор книги: J. S. Cooper

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 9 страниц)

“Prostitutes,” I shouted out to the class. “Yes, let’s start with prostitutes.” I looked directly at Lola and watched as she squirmed in her seat. Her face was bright red and her eyes were furious as she looked at me. My heart thudded as we made eye contact. There was beauty in her anger. There was satisfaction in her anger. I wanted to make her feel it. I wanted to make her worry. I was pissed that she was so cozy with Sebastian. He was my brother and I loved him, but he was not going to take my Lola.

Class seemed to drag on and it was all I could do to not end it early. I wanted to pull her into my arms and ask her if she missed me. Instead, I told her I needed to talk to her about being my assistant. I needed a reason to talk to her that didn’t show her how eager I was to spend more one-on-one time with her. I was Xavier, Prince of Romerius. I could have any girl I wanted. I wasn’t sprung on her. Hell, no!

* * *

The fire was in Lola’s eyes as soon as she started talking to me. She was still angry at me and she was embarrassed. I saw her staring at my chest furtively and I knew that she was remembering that night. I couldn’t resist the slight tremble of her lips as they beckoned me and I grabbed her and kissed her hard. Her lips felt supple beneath mine and I knew that the beginning of our sexual journey together was about to start when I felt her fingers running through my hair. Her breasts were crushed up against my chest and I wanted to turn her around and bend her over. I was about to grab her ass, when I stopped. This wasn’t the way I wanted this to go down, so I pulled back from her and stopped the kiss. She looked bewildered and lost, and I smiled. This was going to be like taking candy from a baby.

Chapter 7

“I can’t believe they went out for dinner,” Anna whispered from her position on my bed.

“I know. I thought it would never happen,” I whispered back, laughing. I felt almost delirious that we had the house to ourselves for the evening.

“I didn’t think it would be like this,” Anna sighed.

“It was all we could afford,” I mumbled, and we both stared at each other for a few seconds before lying back on the bed.

Anna and I were renting rooms from a family in an area called Streatham. It had been the only affordable option for us when we had decided to come and study abroad, but it certainly was a different experience.

“Why couldn’t we have been rich?” She turned and looked at me. “If Phillipa comes and asks me if I want to play tea party again, I may scream.”

“At least she doesn’t come and sleep in your room like Allison does,” I groaned, thinking of the little girl who spent as much time in my room as she did in hers.

“At least you didn’t find her lying on your bed, picking her nose.”

“You did not? Ewww,” I moaned in sympathy.

“It’s not the European experience I was looking forward to.” She laughed. “If I wanted someone else’s bodily waste in my bed, it certainly wouldn’t be a little girl’s bogeys.”

“Anna!”

“Well, you know.” She jumped off of the bed. “I want to be woken up by a guy who can’t keep his hands off me, not by someone’s mom screaming at them to get up for school.”

“We should say something.” I yawned. “I can’t deal with being woken up every morning like that.”

“If you want to say something—”Anna made a face “—please feel free.” She laughed and walked to the door. “I’m going to take advantage of the fact that we have the house to ourselves right now.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I smiled at her and grabbed my journal from the nightstand.

“You want to watch TV?” Anna stopped at my door. “Come Dine With Me is on tonight.”

I looked up from my journal. “I thought that was on Friday nights?”

“Oh, yeah. Maybe there will be some repeats on.”

“I think I’ll skip TV tonight.” I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

“You can’t let him do this to you, Lola.” Anna walked back into the room and climbed onto the bed next to me. “He’s using his power to control you. Go to the dean or complain to Henrietta. She’ll know what to do.”

“I don’t know.” I shook my head. “I don’t want to do that. Henrietta seems like she’s enamored with him.”

“Look. You had a one-night stand. It’s not illegal. It’s not right for him to talk to you like that.” Anna’s voice was passionate and loud. “Tell him to stuff his assistantship and to take it up with the school administration if he has a problem.”

“It’s not that easy.” I looked away from her, and I knew from her groan that she understood why.

“Oh, God, Lola. You don’t like him, do you?”

“No, I don’t like him.” My voice rose. “He’s a pompous asshole.”

“But?”

“Oh, Anna, I don’t know what it is, but when he looks at me, I feel like my insides are burning up and I’m going to catch on fire.”

“He was that good, huh?”

“It’s not that he’s hot. Or that he was good in bed. He’s just ... Oh, I don’t know how to explain it. He excites every part of me.”

“That’s called lust, Lola. And he’s your professor.” Anna made a face. “You could get into trouble.”

“He doesn’t seem concerned.” I shrugged.

“That’s even scarier. Why doesn’t he care?” She looked thoughtful. “We should ask Sebastian what his story is.”

“I’m not asking him about his brother. What if he asks why?” I shook my head. “No way do I want him knowing I slept with his brother.”

“Do you think he’s going to try and use his position to get you to do things?”

“Oh, Anna.” I laughed slightly, though I wasn’t really amused. “He wouldn’t have to use his position to get me to do anything. I can’t help myself when I’m around him. He’s so hot.”

“So just go for him, then.” She grinned wickedly at me. “Have a torrid affair with him.”

“He’s also an asshole.” I shook my head. “Not that makes much of a difference because it’s not really up to me. But he doesn’t want me anyways, and even if he did, it would only be for sex, because I can’t stand him.”

“You don’t like anything about him?”

“Well, he does seem intelligent and he does like art.” I sighed. “But let’s just say he’s no Prince Charming.”

“Oh, you’re still waiting for him, huh?” Anna smiled at me gently. She knew that all my life I had had a list of qualities I wanted in a man. In the man—the man who would become my Prince Charming. “He called a few hours ago. His horse broke down in the West End.”

“Tell him to hop on another horse then.” I laughed. “Tell him to forget the gentle white steed. He needs a stallion.”

“Yup. Let me call him now.” Anna grabbed my phone and pretended to make a call. “Hello, hello? Is that you, Prince Charming? Lola’s best friend Anna here. She’s waiting on you to arrive. And I’m waiting on your even handsomer cousin, Prince Even More Charming. We wanted to tell you both to get your asses off the slow white steeds and trade them in for some stallions. And don’t trot over to us. Please gallop. Crack that whip and gallop.” Anna’s voice rose dramatically as she got into the scene, and I started giggling. “We’re waiting here, kind of impatiently. My top’s about to fall off and Lola’s already on the bed waiting to welcome you.”

“I’m here! I’m here!” I fanned myself as I lay back. “Please hurry.”

“There.” Anna giggled as well. “That should do it. Both Prince Charmings should be on the way now.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

“Do you think you’ll sleep with him again?” Anna blurted out, and I rolled my eyes.

“No way.”

“Are you excited for tomorrow?”

“No,” I lied.

“I can’t believe he lives in Knightsbridge. He must be rich.”

I shrugged. “I suppose.”

“I wonder if Sebastian lives with him?”

“God, I hope not.” I shuddered at the thought. “I can’t even believe that they are brothers. Sebastian is so sweet and polite, but Xavier is so rude and hateful.”

“Date Sebastian then.” Anna grinned. “That would show him. Imagine him telling you to stay away.”

“I suppose he doesn’t think I’m good enough.”

“Because you’re American?”

“No, because he thinks I’m a slut.” I stood up and stretched, letting my journal to fall to my bed. “Anyway, I don’t want to talk about him anymore. Let’s go watch TV?”

“You done writing for the night?”

“No, but I’ll finish before bed.”

“I can’t believe you’ve kept up journaling all these years.” Anna linked her arm through mine as we walked to the living room in house we were living in in Streatham. It wasn’t the most fun living with a family, but we made do.

“It helps me to process my thoughts.”

We sat on the couch, and Anna turned the TV on. I looked around the room and smiled when I looked at the radiator in the corner, and it hit me once again that we were in London.

“OMG, Anna, can you believe it? We’re finally here.”

“It’s like a dream, isn’t it?” She sat back and pulled a blanket over her legs. “I do have to admit that I miss the Florida weather, but there’s nothing like being in London in the fall.”

“I know. This is so different from Palm Bay.”

“And Orlando.”

“Definitely.”

We both laughed, but then silence befell us both as we thought about what we had left behind. It was true that it had been both of our dreams to study in London—really, anywhere in Europe. We’d always wanted to explore the world, but neither of us had ever had the money. We didn’t really have it now either, but loans were our saving grace. That was why I’d applied for the assistant position.

Anna finally spoke up. “I wonder how my mom is.”

“We should get a phone card tomorrow and call.”

“Yeah.”

“How are you?” I squeezed her leg and gave her a look of concern.

“As good as I can be.” She shrugged and looked at the screen. “Now let’s see what’s on.”

“Okay.” I sat back, unsure of what to say next, so I didn’t say anything.

Anna’s father had recently lost his job and her parents were worried that they were going to lose their house. The stress had been really hard on Anna, and she had been working two jobs as well as going to school to help save the house. It had been a hard decision for her to come here, but her parents had been supportive of her coming over here with me. They knew how much she needed a break from all of the stress.

* * *

The next morning, I rang the doorbell with my heart in my mouth. I didn’t want to see Xavier again—or rather, I didn’t want to hear his insults.

“Good morning, Lola.” He opened the door and ushered me in with a gracious smile.

I looked at him in confusion. What was going on here? Why was he being nice?

“Morning, Xavier,” I replied slowly and uncertainly.

I looked around the entryway as I walked in, taking in his house with extreme curiosity. It wasn’t as I’d expected it to be. It seemed homey, with the small wooden console to the right and a coat stand next to it. There were letters on the console and some newspapers, all in a mess.

“Excuse the mess.” Xavier smiled as he noticed that I was looking at the console.

“Maid off today?”

“I don’t have a maid.”

“Oh.” I was surprised again. “What about a housekeeper?”

“No housekeeper.” He ushered me to follow him down the hallway, and I was disappointed that I couldn’t peek into any of the rooms because the doors were shut.

“You look surprised?” He smiled at me and I nodded. “This is my home, and I prefer for it to be just me. I have enough people trying to take care of me back in my country. While I’m in London, I like to live like a normal person.”

“Uh, okay.” I tried not to laugh. I had no idea what he was talking about. Like a normal person? Wow. He really did think he was something, didn’t he?

“Thank you for being on time. I find many people your age don’t seem to know how to read a clock.”

“Yeah, well, it’s my first day. I didn’t want to be late.”

“You look very chirpy this morning.”

“Chirpy?” I couldn’t resist giving him a look.

“Chirpy. Fresh. Beautiful.”

“Oh. Thanks.” I looked down and blushed.

“And this is my office.” He paused outside of a room with an open door. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’ll be working in the same room.”

“That’s fine.” Why was he being so nice?

“Have a seat and tell me about yourself.”

“What?” I yawned. “Oh, sorry about that.”

His eyes narrowed as he surveyed my face. “Late night?”

“No, not really. Not any later than usual.”

“On a date?” he asked casually.

“No.” I tried not to roll my eyes. “Sebastian hasn’t asked me out as yet.”

“Funny.” He sat back in his chair and just studied my face. “You’re a very funny girl, Lolita.”

“Like I told you, it’s Lola, and I’m not going to be doing stand up anytime soon.”

“So you like my brother?”

“Is this really how we’re going to start? Is that any of your business?” I leaned forward and stared him directly in the eyes. “I’m here to be your assistant, not your patient.”

“I like my assistants to be my friends.”

“I don’t really see that in the cards.” I lifted my nose up in the air and looked down at him. “For one, you’re my professor, and for two, you’re a pompous ass.” I bit my lower lip as I realized what I had just said. Fuck, I was going to get fired.

“You’re still mad at me because we slept together.” He stood up and walked over to me. “Stand up.”

“Huh?”

“Stand up.” He grabbed my hands and pulled me up.

I stumbled slightly and fell against him. His arms held me against him for a few seconds before letting go of me.

“What are you doing?” I gasped as he started unbuttoning his shirt.

“You are annoyed and upset because we had sex and I’ve seen you naked. You do not know how to act now because you are immature and unsure.”

“Not at all.” I glared at him as my heart raced. I could see the hair on his chest as he kept on unbuttoning his shirt, and I felt heat rising up from my belly.

“Are you scared to see me naked?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I don’t care,” I mumbled. Please dear God, do not take your shirt off. I’m not sure if I will be able to keep my hands off you.

“Liar,” he whispered. “You want me as badly as I want you.”

“You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” I muttered as he stepped towards me, and he paused at my words and laughed.

“I’m a wolf?” He looked at me and ran a finger down my cheek. “Why do you say that, Lola?”

“Because you’re crazy. I come here this morning and you’re sweet as can be, and now you’re trying to get into my pants. And I’ve only been here for a few minutes.”

“I wanted to make sure when I greeted you that you were comfortable. Once I saw you were comfortable, I decided to get everything out in the open.”

“Get what out into the open, Professor?”

His eyes narrowed at my words, and he stepped back. I watched as he slowly did his shirt up and he gave me a short smile. “As you wish. I will not bring it up again.”

“I’m not a prostitute, you know,” I muttered, slightly disappointed that he had retreated so quickly.

“Of course I know that.” He walked back to his desk and sat down. “You’re just a young girl sowing her oats.”

“I’m not sowing any oats.”

“You’re in the habit of one-night stands?”

“It’s not like that,” I mumbled under my breath. “It is what it is. I made a decision. We had sex. Neither of us complained. Let’s just move on.” It doesn’t matter that I think about you every night.

“You didn’t look like you had moved on in class yesterday.”

“Narcissus,” I said quietly.

“What?” He frowned and looked slightly off-kilter at my change of topic.

“Narcissus,” I said again. “It’s a painting by Caravaggio, done in 1597. It illustrates the Greek myth of Narcissus.”

“What’s the myth?” His eyes stared into mine with a challenge.

“Narcissus was a man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.” I paused and gave him a pointed look. “I think it’s a fitting painting for a narcissist.”

“Is that your favorite painting?”

“No. No, it’s not. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it was yours.”

“I see.” He gave me a wide smile and chuckled. “I suppose you bring up this painting to tell me that I am the only one who has been dwelling on our night together. Because I’m the best lover you’ve ever had.”

“Yes, you are dwelling on it,” I mumbled as my face flushed. “And you’re not the best lover I’ve ever had.”

“I don’t believe you. You cannot have forgotten how you cried out my name as our bodies exploded in passion together.”

“It’s like I said, Xavier, you’re a narcissist.”

“Max will be here in a few hours. Perhaps you would like to spend some quality time with him instead?” He sat back angrily.

“Who?”

“Tell me you haven’t forgotten the man you seduced at the museum already.”

“Oh, Max.” I sighed. “I didn’t seduce him at all. You know he was trying to hook up with Anna. Why do you keep trying to make it seem like I was the one who was going to hook up with him?”

“It took little for him to convince you to go back to the room. Just a few drinks, I believe.”

“Whatever, asshole.” I shook my head. “I’m not going to talk about this anymore. You know I only went to accompany Anna. I only had one drink that night.”

“Fine. What painting have you chosen to discuss in class today?”

“You’ll hear about it in class.”

“No, I’d like to hear now.”

“I’d rather discuss it in class.”

He changed the subject. “How are you finding London?”

I watched as he picked up a fountain pen and dipped it in an inkwell. I was surprised to see him with such an old-fashioned piece of writing equipment.

“It’s fine.”

“Everything you hoped it would be?”

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Is the Victoria and Albert Museum as you expected it?”

“Huh?” I looked at him in confusion. How did he know I’d been waiting my whole life to go there? For some reason, it had been a lifelong dream for me to peruse the exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert and the British Museums, but I’d never really told anyone that. Just Anna and my journal.

“You wrote about it in your application essay. You said it was a lifelong dream of yours to walk through the museums in Europe and that you were dying to see the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the—”

“Okay, okay. I remember,” I said, cutting him off. “I didn’t know you read the essays.”

“Of course. I read the essays of all the students who were interested in being my assistant.”

“But I thought I was the only one.” I frowned.

“So have you been?” He ignored my question and I shook my head. “Then we must go this afternoon.”

“We have class.”

“We shall go after class.”

“That’s okay. I can go by myself.”

“No, you cannot appreciate and delight in your first experience by yourself.” His words were soft, light, and lyrical. His words made me think of losing my virginity and not going to a museum.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I smiled at him weakly.

“No, we shall go together. I happen to know the curator. I can show you some paintings that you wouldn’t get to see if you went by yourself.”

“I don’t want to take up your time.”

“You won’t be. It will be my pleasure.” He gave me the same odd little bow that his brother had given me the other night. “Did you know that many of the royal families in Europe are connected through Queen Victoria?”

“No, I don’t really follow the Royal Family much. All I really know is that Prince William just got married and had a baby.”

“I thought Americans were obsessed with all things royal?”

“Not me.” I shrugged. “I have a life.”

“Touché, Lola. Touché.”

“Did you just learn that word or something? You’re really using it a lot.”

“Did I just learn it?” He cocked back his head and laughed. He laughed so hard that his eyes were wet as he looked at me with his crinkly smile. “I like you, Lola. I think we will be friends. Ah!” He held his hand up. “Do not tell me again that we cannot be friends. I think I’d like to prove you wrong.”

“Why?” I asked him softly, my head swirling in confusion. It was hard to keep up with Xavier. I didn’t understand him or who he was, and because I didn’t understand him, I also didn’t understand how I felt.

“Because, dear Lola—” he leaned towards me “—there are things I want to show you, to teach you.”

“Oh?” I breathed slowly, waiting for his kiss.

“Yes.” I could feel his breath against my lips, and then he pulled back with sparkling eyes. “I think you should visit the National Gallery first.” He grinned at the perplexed look on my face. “If you want to see Impressionist art, you must visit the National Gallery and not the Victoria and Albert.”

“What?” I blinked at him.

“The Victoria and Albert is a fine museum but not the best museum.” He grinned to himself. “There are many things I have to teach you.”

“You can teach me all of that as my professor.” I stepped back, slightly embarrassed. I hoped he didn’t realize that I thought he was going to teach me about sex.

“But it would mean so much more if I were your friend.” He stared at me for a second and I looked down, not sure what to say. I didn’t understand why he cared about being my friend—especially after he had been such a jerk when we had slept together.

“Do you have anything else you need me to do or can I go now?”

“There are many things I want you to do.” He grinned at me. “Though I suppose I don’t need you to do them.”

“Why are you flirting with me?” I frowned.

“What are you talking about?” He stared at me, unblinking.

“I, uh, thought you were flirting with me.”

“Lola, I was going to suggest you file some of my papers.” He pointed at his desk. “I would like you to start them at some point but was going to say I don’t need you to do it now.”

“Oh.” I made an embarrassed face. “Well, I feel dumb.”

“But you aren’t dumb, are you?” He cocked his head and observed my face. I blushed as he stared at me intently, but I held his gaze firmly.

“Why do I feel like you’re unsure of the answer?”

“What happened to my timid Lola?” He laughed. “You’re talking back to me again.”

“You don’t intimidate me, Xavier.” I tried to keep my voice calm though I was shaking inside. “I’m not some silly, dumb girl who’s captivated by your handsome face and position.”

“You’re not?” He looked at me in amusement.

“No, I’m not.”

“That’s a pity.”

“Is there anything else you want me to do?” I folded my arms.

“Kiss me.”

“What?” My mouth dropped open. “You want me to what?”

“I want you to kiss me,” he repeated slowly. “I want to feel your soft lips against mine. I want to taste your tongue on my tongue. I want to hear your small whimper as I bite your lower lip.”

“Are you crazy?” I stared at him with wide eyes.

“Are you mad?”

“No, I’m not.”

“No,” he laughed. “An English girl would say, ‘Are you mad?’ and not, ‘Are you crazy?’ I figured now that you are in London, you should learn the local ways.”

“You really are crazy, aren’t you?” I shook my head, and his eyes twinkled at me.

“Perhaps.” He grabbed my upper arms and pulled me towards him before lowering his head and leaning down. “Perhaps you make me mad,” he whispered against my lips before kissing me.

My knees buckled at the touch of him, and I reached up instinctively and grabbed ahold of his arms. His tongue sought entrance to my mouth, and my fingers ran up to feel his hair as he attempted to conquer my mouth. I groaned as his tongue gently ran along my lower lip before his teeth nibbled quickly. His hands ran up the back of my top and caressed my naked back. His hands were warm and soft and I melted against him.

His fingers ran to the front of my body and played with my belly button. A sensation of lust sprang straight down from my stomach, and I took a step forward. I felt intoxicated by his touch. His eyes glittered as I stared up at him, and I wanted to pull away from him. Only I couldn’t.

My body argued with my brain and won. I closed my eyes and ran my hands down his back to his ass, squeezing his firm butt and enjoying the stilling of his body as he waited to see where I was going to touch next. I ran my hands to the front of his pants, but then Xavier quickly stepped back from me.

“You’re trying to seduce me.”

“Who, me?” I smiled up at him sweetly. “Why would I do that?”

“You’re playing with me?” He glared at me, and I shrugged.

“Never.” I laughed lightly and ran a finger down the front of his pants, making sure to press down on his hardness. “Though it seems like you may need to do some playing with yourself before class.”

I heard his sharp intake of breath and turned around quickly. Score one for me, I thought to myself, even though I was trembling inside.

“I’m going now. I’ll see you in class.” I walked quickly out of the house, praying that he didn’t catch up with me and kiss me again. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to walk away if he made one more attempt at getting me into bed.

* * *

“Lola, you look divine this morning.”

“Hello to you too, Sebastian.” I laughed and sat next to him. “How are you?”

“Tired.” He yawned and ran his fingers over his eyes.

“Late night?”

“You could say that.” He pulled out his books. “Though I was glad to come to class today to see you.”

“Aren’t you sweet?” I giggled and sat back. “I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”

“What have you heard?”

He gave me a look, and I laughed. “Oh, Sebastian.”

“I love your accent. It’s so sexy. Reminds me of Charlie’s Angels.”

“Really? I didn’t think I had an accent. Not like you and English people.”

“I didn’t think I had an accent, either.” He laughed. “Though I do sound slightly English. People who know me can hear the Romerian in my voice as well.”

“Romerius?” I questioned, slightly confused.

“The country I come from is called Romerius.”

“Oh, I’ve—”

“Never heard of it,” Sebastian said, finishing my sentence. “Don’t worry. No one else has heard of it, either.”

“Sorry.”

“Oh, don’t be. The people of Romerius are happy to be unknown. The people of Monaco envy us slightly.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Because they are inundated with tourists now.”

“But doesn’t tourism bring you money?”

“Money is so crass.” Sebastian made a face and I laughed inside. Only someone with money would think that needing money was crass.

I thought back to my student loans and other bills and knew that I wouldn’t turn up my nose at any job or endeavor that was going to bring me money. But then I suppose that was why I was working for his brother. If I had money, there was no way I would stay at a job that made me compromise my own feelings—no matter how hot I thought the guy was.

I changed the subject. “So did you do the homework?”

“Of course. Do you think I want the wrath of my brother?”

“I guess not.” A chill ran through me at his words. I had nearly forgotten that Sebastian and Xavier were brothers.

“What painting did you choose?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

“No fair.” He shook his head. “Tell me.”

“Nope.”

“Tell me.” He grinned and reached over to tickle me.

“No!” I squealed as his fingers reached under my arms and tickled me. “Stop.” I giggled as he continued and I tried to pull away. My hair fell in front of my eyes, and Sebastian gently pushed it away.

“You have beautiful eyes, Lola.” He smiled gently and my heart skipped a beat. Was he flirting with me?

“Good morning, class.” Xavier walked into the room, his voice booming. I looked up at him, and he was glaring at me. “I do hope that people remember this is a classroom, a place we come to learn, and not a brothel, a place you go to pick up a whore.”

He stared right at me, and I gasped, shocked at his words and the cold look in his eyes. What was his problem? Was he upset because I’d left him with a hard-on in his house? What had he expected to happen this morning?

“Looks like big bro’s in a great mood again this morning,” Sebastian sighed. “He needs to just get laid or something.”

“He’s single, right?” I mumbled, trying to pretend like I didn’t care.

“Well—” Sebastian started and then stopped as Xavier stared at us again.

“Today, class, we will all be sharing our favorite paintings. I hope everyone has come prepared to discuss their favorite painting.” Xavier’s voice was harsh, and I could tell that he was staring at me in anger.

“My favorite painting is Sunflowers by Van Gogh,” I whispered to Sebastian, avoiding Xavier’s stare.

“That’s so funny. That’s my favorite painting as well.” Sebastian grinned at me. “I guess we must be soul mates.”

“Haha.” I laughed and smiled at him widely. Take that, Xavier, I thought to myself.

“If the two of you are done, can we continue with the class?” Xavier glared up at us. “And, Lola, I need to speak to you after class.”

“Yes, sir.” I tried not to roll my eyes.

“Sorry.” Sebastian made a face, and I shrugged.

“It’s fine. He hates me.”

“He probably wants to tell you that you have bad taste in paintings.”

“Sebastian.” Xavier’s voice was loud, and the class went quiet. “Please have some respect for the rest of the class and keep quiet.”

“Yes, Professor Van Romerius.” He rolled his eyes and then looked at the front of the class. “Who told me to take a class where my brother was the professor?” he whispered, and then we both sat back and listened to the other students talk about their favorite paintings before class ended.

* * *

“Sebastian, I need to talk to Lola privately.” Xavier stared down at his younger brother as we made our way out of the room at the end of class.

I couldn’t stop myself from comparing them. They were both incredibly handsome, though there was something darker and more masculine about Xavier. He had more of a presence about him. I supposed it was what made him a man and Sebastian a boy. I shivered as I stared at his hands as he pointed them towards the door. I was reminded of his fingers on my skin, and I wanted to reach over and grab ahold of them. Something about Xavier brought out a primal urge in me that I couldn’t resist. If he told me to bend over the desk and pull my pants down, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to say no.

“I’ll see you later, Lola.” Sebastian walked over to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“Bye, Sebastian.” I smiled at him and tried not to blush at his kiss. “See ya tomorrow or something.”

“Out. Now.” Xavier’s voice was hard, and we both watched as his brother exited the room. “You’re playing with fire.” He turned to look at me.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re playing with fire, Lola.” He stepped towards me. “Do you really think I’m going to be okay with you flirting with my brother?”

“What?” My voice grew louder, but inside I was smiling. Was he jealous?

“Stay away from Sebastian.” His eyes looked at me in distaste.

“Sorry. What?” The color left my face as I surveyed him.

“You are not the sort of girl he should be with.”

“Are you joking?” I blinked at him, trying not to lose it.

“I don’t joke, Lola.” He stepped closer towards me and I stepped back.