Craven Cove Royalty (Craven Cove)

“What’s your name?” I run my tongue along the edge of my top teeth and wait while she watches me.

“Celeste.”

She doesn’t offer anything else and then raises her chin in defiance. Why does her stubborn attitude make my body warm?

“So explain to me how you rescued me yesterday, because I’m pretty sure the guy that gave me this shirt isn’t standing in front of me.” She holds up a dark blue shirt with the name of a band across it.

“Ah, I’ll have to thank Emerson for thinking on his feet.” Her eyebrows bunch, and it somehow makes her look adorable. “I was the one with the microphone and no shirt.”

She looks down my chest like she’s picturing me naked, and I have the urge to flex. I’ve never been knocked on my ass by a girl before, but this one right here might be the one to do it. I can’t stop thinking about her.

“Oh” is all she says, and my smile is big.

“Oh? Is that your way of saying thank you?”

“Thank you,” she mumbles, like she doesn’t want to admit it. Then she sighs and shrugs. “Okay, seriously thank you. That saved my ass.”

“What are you doing on this end of the building so early?” I glance down the hall and see someone go into the teachers’ lounge up ahead. It won’t be long before the bell rings.

“Um, I think I’m lost?” She looks around and then down to the piece of paper I didn’t realize she was holding.

“Let me help you out.” I take it from her and then notice she’s biting her lip. “Don’t worry, Celeste, your secrets are safe with me.” I wink at her, and she tucks her chin and stares at her Converse. I think maybe she’s trying to hide her blush. “You’ve got Darth first period. He’s actually on the other side of the campus.”

“Oh no.” She looks at her watch and then to the double doors up ahead that lead outside.

“It’s okay, I’m headed in that direction. I can show you the way.”

“I owe you,” she says in relief, and I straighten.

“Careful who you give favors to.” I begin to walk, and she falls in step beside me.

“What do you mean?”

The first bell rings, letting us know we’ve got ten minutes to make it to class. As we talk, I notice her dark hair is up in a bun today, and some of it has come loose around the nape of her neck. It looks so soft, and my fingers twitch to touch it.

“I think owing someone in Craven Cove might be the equivalent of making a deal with Rumpelstiltskin. One minute you’re telling someone you can spin gold, and the next you’re giving away your firstborn.” When I look over at her, I see she’s watching me with sharp focus. “Sorry, maybe that doesn’t make sense. I just mean that some people around here will take and take until there’s nothing left.”

She looks ahead as we walk, but I can tell she’s thinking this over.

“Okay, so maybe that’s not a great representation of the beautiful island of Craven Cove.” I spread my hands wide like a television gameshow host as we pass the cafeteria. “Allow me to regale you with today’s lunch menu.”

“You’re ridiculous.” Seeing her smile and shake her head makes me want to do it a million times more.

“Seriously, though, avoid the meatloaf.” I make a face, and she bites her lip like she’s trying to stop herself from laughing.

When was the last time I felt this good? I can’t remember, and I’m not sure I want to. After having Celeste run into me in the coffee shop, I was pissed, but one look in her beautiful dark eyes and I wanted to take back every bad thing that’s ever come out of my mouth. Something about her makes me feel protective of her and the space she occupies. Like maybe I can just follow her around all day and keep people from bumping into her. Or at least knock away a bucket of water here and there. Fuck, what is wrong with me?

“I think this is me.” She points to a door with the correct room number on it.

“Yeah.” I blink as she interrupts my thoughts. “So look out for Mr. Darth. I had him last year for calculus, and he’s a pain in the ass. He always calls on people in the back row, so sit toward the front. Oh, and he loves to give pop quizzes the day after you’ve finished covering a chapter.”

“That’s helpful advice.” She glances down at her schedule, and I look at the rest of her classes.

“Looks like we’ve got gym together during fourth period.” The corner of her mouth turns up in a cute grin. “Think you can find the rest of them?”