Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(37)

I think I must have fallen asleep in the car, because I have no recollection of how I got back to my room. Only that I woke up this morning still fully clothed, and tucked into bed. Did Raph do that? The thought of it makes my head spin in confusion, which is the last thing I need, given my hungover state.

“I heard that Raph saw you dancing with Baron and he completely lost his shit, then you and Baron kissed, and he started laying into Baron right in the middle of the club.

“Is that true?”

“Yeah, that happened,” I reply slowly. I didn’t really think of it like that. “Although it was more like him laying into me than Baron.”

“Well, after you left, I saw him and Baron get into a big fight and Raph stormed out, too.”

I feel suddenly guilty. Baron is fun and turns out, he’s an okay guy. He didn’t deserve to get caught up in the middle of what happened last night. Whatever that was. I make a mental note to apologize when I see him next.

“How did you get home?” Dani asks.

“Raph took me home,” I reply and brace myself for Dani’s exclamation of surprise. But the line goes silent. As if she’s so shocked, she can’t even speak.

“Sorry,” Dani says after a moment, “I just fell off my chair and dropped my phone.”

I laugh despite myself.

“But seriously—what the hell? Raph took you home? As in, drove you home in his car? As in, he actually took you home? That makes no sense, isn’t he meant to hate you? So much so, that he’s labeled you an outcast to the entire school?”

I cover my face with my pillow for a second, wanting to smother myself.

“Yeah. It was really weird. What’s even weirder, is that I think I must’ve fallen asleep in the car, because I woke up this morning fully clothed and tucked up in bed, with no idea how I got here.”

“So, what you’re saying is, that Raph carried you to bed and tucked you in?”

Dani is laughing now, but I don’t see the funny side to this. Not at all.

“I knew it. I guessed it from that very first day in the cafeteria.”

“Knew what?” I demand.

Dani just laughs in response.

“Oh, girl, you’re in deep shit.”



I spend the entire day in bed on Saturday, nursing my headache and generally just not willing to face any of the people that I happen to share Sovereign Hall with. I’m avoiding one person in particular, and I’m not sure what scares me more—facing Raph’s usual icy and cruel self, or the uncharacteristically decent guy who took me home last night. The guy who had Raph’s impossibly beautiful face, but who was kind and seemed like he actually cared in a way that was totally at odds with the asshole I had come to know. It’s impossible to believe had I not seen it myself, and I have a feeling that it’s the latter that’s far more dangerous.

By Sunday afternoon, I feel like it’s safe enough to leave my room. I listen to the sounds of people getting ready and leaving and only when I’m sure the halls are empty, do I leave my room and make my way to campus.

I’m armed with a canvas and some paints. I’ve also brought the little metal tin containing the only memories that I’ve ever had worth keeping.

I guess I could’ve stayed in my room to paint, but I’m starting to get cabin fever and I want to check out the art studios ahead of art class on Monday.

The campus grounds are mostly deserted as I head towards the art building on the outskirts. The building is right next to the sports fields and I realize that I’m not the only one on campus today.

Soccer practice appears to be in full swing as I walk past the large soccer field. I’ve never been a jock chaser, but the sight of the players doing their drills on the field, some of them shirtless, I might add, isn’t exactly painful on the eyes.

I pick up my pace when I realize that Raph is probably on that field. No, he’s definitely on the field because of course, he’s the soccer team captain. The last thing I want is to bump into him. Hell, he’s such an egomaniac, that he might actually think I’m stalking him or something if he sees me here.

I’m almost at the entrance of the art building when I hear someone call out my name.

“Jazmine, wait up.” I curse under my breath, but I feel less apprehensive when I turn and see that it’s not Raph jogging towards me, but Baron.

A sweaty and very shirtless Baron. God, he really is sexy. I almost don’t blame him for having slept with nearly all the girls on campus, if I looked that good, then maybe I’d be a slut, too.

“Hi,” I say tentatively, suddenly feeling awkward as I remember how I’d laid one on him last night.

“So … about that kiss …” Baron says, those aquamarine eyes dancing playfully and it’s difficult not to smile back. He really does have a great smile.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out.

His smile just grows wider.

“You don’t have to apologize. In fact, feel free to kiss me whenever you want. I’m always open for business, if you want to do that again.”

He tilts his head to the side playfully.

“Or anything else …,” he adds, wagging his eyebrows.

I can’t help but laugh. This guy.

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Although, next time maybe don’t kiss me while Raph’s around—I kind of value my life.”