Sloth (Sinful Secrets 1)

Again, the eagle eye. I can’t tell what he’s feeling. “Maybe I was thinking of writing my memoir.”

I throw my head back. “A comedian, too!”

His lips twist into a smile; he’s smirking at me even as he shakes his head. “You think so low of me.”

I nod. “That’s why I’m not going to live with you. Or do you.”

He gives me a sidelong, thoughtful look. “You said you struggle with math?”

“I hate it. Why?”

We’re in sight of Taylor now. It looms above us, a dark brick building with two huge towers. Pines sway gently around it.

“I’ve got another deal for you.”

My heart thumps. “Oh boy.”

He holds a hand up. “What are you studying now? What specifically?”

“Intro to basic antiderivatives and—damnit, what are they called? Indefinite integrals! And I already know where you’re going with this. Even if you can perform lobotomies, I’m not changing my mind.”

“What if I enlighten you completely? Make you a math whiz.”

I snort. “No one’s that good.”

“I’m a finance major, Cleo. That means I’m a god at math. You need help, so let’s see if I can help you.” He catches my elbow with his fingers, and I look into his eyes.

“Give me two hours. Just two. If I don’t change things for you, then the deal is off. I’ll let you back out of our agreement from last night.”

My gaze dips to the ground. To our feet, standing so close together. I don’t know what would be the best move. All I do know is that he throws me off. He makes me nervous. “I have an officers’ meeting tonight,” I tell him lamely.

He waves at his clothes. “I have a trustee selection committee meeting. After that?”

I step away, drawing my elbow out of his hand. I’m not sure if I should sign on for the study session just to call his bluff, or if I should simply run. I smooth a hand over my hair, a nervous gesture I thought I left behind with freshman year. “My meeting isn’t over until seven-thirty.”

“I’ll be by to get you then.”

I rub my lips together, and finally work up the nerve to look

him in the eye again. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

His face turns serious—gravely so. “It’s because of yesterday,” he says. “I scared you.”

“No shit, Sherlock. I thought I was getting busted. Then I find out you’re some drug lord. Yeah.” I shrug, feeling annoyed all over again. “That’s not fun.”

He lifts my hand and surprises me by kissing the back of it. “I know you’re surprised. I know I must seem—”

“Shady? Very.”

He shakes his head. “I can make this work for you. I can make it easy.”

Looking up into his earnest face, it seems improbable enough to almost make me laugh. “I don’t believe you, Kellan. I shouldn’t hang out with you, even to study. You stress me out.”

His face is unreadable again, his full lips pressed together. “If you’re as bad as you say, tonight will be the end of it. I don’t help you, you go back to dealing swag.”

“Or not dealing,” I correct. “That’s what will happen.”

“It won’t happen.” He rolls his shoulders and grins his arrogant grin. “I’ll be at your place at seven forty. Then, the library.” He narrows his eyes into a funny little winky face, then points his finger and thumb into a gun shape.