Hollow Hearts (The Harkwright Trilogy)

It’s been nice teaming up with Maddox during our class today, he was even happy to base our business plan on my dream bakery. It was fun and I’m glad we have this class together. I have no idea what he hopes to gain from getting a MBA and although I want to ask, I keep talking myself out of it.

“I think we make a great team,” I say with a soft smile and his cheeks are going red already, so damn cute.

“Agreed, but it’s almost over for classes, just three months and then it will be a waiting game until the next school year starts up.”

“What’s the Academy like during the breaks? I avoided Halloween and then missed Christmas because of what happened with Candice and I wasn’t really in the mood for celebrating anyway,” I say although Halloween was my own fault, for hiding out in my room while everyone else was dressing up and getting ready for what probably ended up being a spooky themed orgy.

“This is my first time being a part of all this, I have no idea what it’s like. You could ask Craig this will be his third time here but Sir has declared it will be his final stint. If he doesn’t find a bride this way, then he’ll have to go the more conventional method of finding one,” I can’t get over how forthcoming Maddox is and seeing as we’re the only ones in the small library I think he feels a false sense of security.

“Is Craig the only returner?” I ask trying to recall which one Craig is, maybe I should have another look through the dossier so I don’t forget anything that could end up being important.

“Well…” he looks around before bringing his head in closer and starts talking in whispers. “Emmet, Shane, Dillon and Tucker are repeaters as well. Although…”

“Don’t you two look cozy,” Maddox doesn’t jump but I sure as hell do.

“What do you want Aeron?” He asks and I can tell just by the way he says it that Aeron really isn’t a part of the bullying he has to face. That makes me feel easier about the dirty dreams he keeps putting in my mind. Yep, just going to blame him, that seems fair to me.

“I’ve decided to take up the cooking class and it was suggested that Little Zero would be the best one to help me to not feel too far behind,” he’s smirking at us, what a surprise. Is there a consensus that every Harkwright has to smirk?

“The class starts in thirty minutes,” I point out, closing my text book already knowing that I can’t say no to him.

“Exactly, come along Little Zero, you’re giving me a crash course,” he holds his hand out for me to take and I just shake my head with a small smile tugging at my lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say to Maddox with a big smile before slipping my bag onto my shoulder and following Aeron to the classroom. This guy gives me such a headache and I think it will be safer if we do this in a classroom than the kitchens.

“You know, I have a little kitchen in my room. You could always teach me a few things in there,” he says with a wink.

“I doubt I’d be the one doing the teaching,” I retort before my cheeks heat and I realize what I just said to Aeron of all people.

“Oh I’m sure we could both learn something and have fun while we’re doing it,” he traces his finger down my neck and I move a little further away.

“Keep your mind in the kitchen, I’m not going to bat my lashes and let you get away with fooling around. I’m going to take this seriously, so you better be prepared to do the same,” I say as I put my apron on and tie my hair back in a tight ponytail before washing my hands.

“Oh, I like what I’m hearing. You can boss me around any day.”

“I mean it,” and it’s true, I’m in my element in a kitchen

and nerves and stammering will not get in my way here.

He comes to stand behind me, pushing himself flush against me as he starts to wash his hands.

“Aeron.”

“I’m just washing my hands, keep your mind out of the gutter Little Zero.”

Ducking under his arms, I move over to the counter with the row of built-in ovens, and once he’s made his way to me, it’s time to begin.

I have the funny feeling that the tutors don’t like the Harkwright men, at least mine don’t seem too. Chef Robert has no time for Aeron’s antics and threatened to have him removed if he didn’t start taking it more seriously. My English tutor has already served Scott with a warning and I heard from Caitlyn in passing that Dillon got sent out of their science lab when he started goofing off.

I guess even the men aren’t entirely safe, at least where the tutors are concerned and I won’t lie to myself and pretend that it doesn’t make me a little giddy knowing that they are getting in trouble as well.

Although all my giddiness has gone out of the window now that I’m sitting in Daria’s room and looking over the extras.

“We could go horseback riding?”

“You can, but I’m not comfortable being that high off the ground with a beast between my legs,” she’s as bad as the guys with the way she’s rolling around the floor at my words.

“Photography?”