Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(21)

“For Rhianna’s sake, why don’t you two dial back the testosterone?” Bryn spoke in a calm tone, even though she wanted to smack Jaxon.

“I’m not the one with the problem,” Jaxon bit out. “Meet me in Rhianna’s room after Proper Decorum. And leave your knight in the hall. He’s not invited inside.” With that parting shot, Jaxon stalked back to his table.

“He moves pretty fast for someone with a giant stick up his ass,” Clint observed.

Valmont laughed, and Bryn joined in.

“I don’t know why he has to be such a jerk,” Clint said.

“Maybe he’s jealous,” Ivy said.

The laughter stopped. “What?” Bryn and Valmont said at the same time.

“Officially, he might have to marry you,” Ivy said. “Maybe he doesn’t like watching you two together.”

“Or watching the whole campus watch you two together,” Clint said.

“Watching us do what?” It was ridiculous. So they held hands, and she’d kissed him on the cheek when he was sad. It wasn’t like they were doing the wild thing on the dining hall table.

“In Elemental Science this morning, the looks going back and forth between you two were pretty intense,” Ivy said.

“Half the campus thinks you’re an item,” Clint added.

“We could finish what we started in the library and confirm their suspicions.” Bryn leaned toward him.

Valmont looked down at his plate. “That’s probably not a good idea.”

Wham. His lack of interest punched her right in the gut. She sucked in a breath and turned away. This could not be happening again. Her face burned from embarrassment. He’d wanted to kiss her earlier when no one was around. Was she doomed to date guys who were ashamed to be seen with her?

“Bryn.” Valmont touched her arm. “It’s not what you—”

“Don’t.” She jerked away from him.

“Bryn, please. I promised your grandmother I’d be honorable. Doing what I want rather than what’s right isn’t honorable.”

Smoke shot from her nostrils. “And what do you want?”

“I gave up my entire life to come watch over you. I want to tuck you away somewhere safe, where no one can come after you. I want to be the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night before you fall asleep in my arms. I want us to be together in every sense of the word, and above all, I never want to hurt you… Ever.”

At his touching words, Bryn’s anger and the fire in her gut receded.

“Are we okay?” Valmont asked.

“I’m 90 percent sure I no longer want to shoot a fireball at your head.”

Chairs scraping across the floor and students talking signaled it was time to go to class.

“You’re in for a treat,” Ivy said. “Our next class is Algebra, and then it’s off to Proper Decorum.”

“Proper what?” Valmont asked.

“De-cor-um.” Bryn enunciated each syllable. “It’s the class where they teach us all the pointless social crap my grandmother believes so strongly in.”

“Like don’t chew with your mouth open?” Valmont asked.

“Wait and see,” Clint said. “We spent weeks memorizing different kinds of utensils. I never knew there were so many different kinds of forks.”

As they walked across campus, Valmont reached for Bryn’s hand and laced his fingers through hers. The warmth of his touch reassured her. She squeezed his hand and glanced over at him. “You still want to kiss me, right?”

“Yes. It’s the venue I objected to.” He checked his watch. “In exactly two hours, I will prove I’m telling the truth.”

“In two hours, I have my mandatory meeting with Jaxon.”

“He’ll have to wait.”



All through Algebra and Proper Decorum, Bryn fantasized about kissing Valmont. It was what she wanted. She was sure of it. But how much of it was due to the bond? Damn Mrs. Anderson for putting that thought into her head.

When class ended, a nervous frisson of excitement grew in her stomach.

“Call me later,” Ivy said. “I want to know what has Jaxon in such a fabulous mood.”

“Sure.”

Ivy and Clint headed for their dorm. She and Valmont headed up to her room.

Jaxon standing in the hall outside her door put a crimp in her romantic plans.

“Come on,” Jaxon said. “Let’s get this over with.”

“I’d like to drop my book bag off first.” Asshat, she mentally added.

“Give it to your knight,” Jaxon bit out the last word. “Isn’t that part of his job, to carry heavy things?”

“One of my jobs.” Valmont took the bag and gestured down the hall toward Rhianna’s room. “As he said, let’s get this over with. We have more important things to do.”

Valmont waited outside in the hall, while Bryn followed Jaxon into Rhianna’s room. Once the door shut, Jaxon paced the living room. Rhianna emerged from the bedroom with a frown on her face.

“What’s wrong?” Bryn asked.

“It’s your grandfather,” Jaxon said. “He’s managed to have you taken off the unfit to marry list.”