Chapter 42. Don’t Refuse Me

Calla cleared her throat, trying to mask her unease. “I don’t—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stuttered, avoiding eye contact with him.

She’s an expert in hiding things. With Eli, Luxe, even back in high school. But with Rico, she finds herself trembling. She wondered what kind of power holds over people… and now over her.

“I wasn’t asking you, Lyra,” he responded, his voice low and flat, and a small grin tugged at his lips. “I’m only letting you know so it wouldn’t come as a surprise to you.”

She shrugged, her nails digging into her waist. “I already told you everything about me.”

“We’ll see,” Rico muttered, his eyes scanning every inch of her body.

She inwardly shivered, feeling his hungry stares on her. She turned around and caught his gaze, almost gasping at how dark his eyes had gotten.

He didn’t move, didn’t say a word, but the way he looked at her made her feel stripped bare, as if he could see every secret she tried to hide.