Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(53)

“Quit staring at me like that or you’re going to make me blush,” he says, those blue eyes opening to look up at me. God. Seeing those eyes first thing in the morning is like a shock to the senses, which is more effective than any alarm clock.

“I’m staring at you in outrage,” I retort.

I still can’t believe that just moments ago I’d woken up to his body tangled up with mine. God. Did we fall asleep like that? Were we sleeping like that all night? The memory of last night floods my mind then. Waking up in the middle of the night to find Raph thrashing in his sleep. The way he’d looked at me, as if I was the one thing that could chase the nightmare away. The way he held me to him afterwards and what I’d let myself feel. Seeing Raph so vulnerable had done something to me. Something that had stripped me of my good senses, clearly.

But there isn’t a trace of that vulnerability in his face just now. Only his usual arrogant smirk.

A part of me expects him to bring up whatever it was that happened last night. But he doesn’t. There isn’t even a trace of the memory of it in those luminous blue eyes. Either that or its carefully hidden in a way that only Raph, with his years of being raised in the public eye, could achieve. It’s almost as if last night was nothing but a dream, it sure as hell feels like it. Unfortunately, the memory in my own mind is as clear as day and it’s very much real.

“I don’t appreciate you groping me in my sleep,” I snap with more force than necessary.

“Me groping you? I don’t appreciate being molested in my sleep either.”

I stare back at him, sputtering as I try to find a response, because I can’t actually believe this guy is serious. But I’m glad because the way he’s infuriating me just now makes it easy to promise myself that whatever it was that came over me last night, will never happen again.

“Urgh. Don’t flatter yourself. I wouldn’t even look twice at you, let alone molest you.”

“Then stop staring at my chest.” He flashes me that cocky grin which sets my temper on fire and damn those dimples.

I can feel my face flaming because I realize that I am staring at his perfectly cut chest. Dammit.

A rush of disbelief hits me, because how in the world did we go from hating each other’s guts to sleeping next to each other every night? I’m literally in bed with my enemy. I have no idea how I let myself get into this situation and I can’t help but feeling like I’m riding on a runaway train, about to hurtle over a cliff to my death.

“It’s not my fault you sleep practically naked,” I snap.

“I’m not naked—I’m wearing my boxers. Although, if you want me to sleep totally naked, I’d be down for that, too.”

“God, you’re such a pig. You have a bed of your own, in your own room across the hall—you can sleep there shirtless, naked or however the hell you want.”

“But I told you, I like your bed.”

“Well, then, keep your hands to yourself or you won’t be sleeping in it much longer.”

“Likewise,” he winks.

I notice something then as I look at the covers. Something which I’m sure was the same thing pressed up against my ass just a few moments ago.

The horror in my face must be apparent, because Raph bursts out laughing.

“Relax, Jaz—it’s only a little morning wood.”

I’m totally mortified. Firstly, although Raph’s basically moved himself into my room, this is the first time that either of us has strayed past our respective sides of the bed. Secondly, I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen that happen before. Either that, or he’s been hiding it pretty well to stop me from freaking out. Which he was right to do, because I am freaking out. I can’t stop looking at it, though, and Raph smirks at my reaction.

“Stop staring at my dick, Jaz.”

“God. I hate you so much.” I almost scream in frustration as I leap off the bed and stalk into the en-suite bathroom, slamming the door behind me to block out Raph’s laughter.



We’re walking out of Sovereign Hall, on our way to class, when Raph stops me.

I look over at him and I can’t ignore the pang of concern. He’s been oddly sullen since I walked back into my bedroom after my shower. His usual cocky charm replaced by the faraway look that I can see in those impossibly blue eyes now. I wonder if it has something to do with his nightmare last night.

“Will you … will you go with me somewhere today?” he asks; he looks uncertain in a way that’s at odds with his usual confidence.

“What—now?” I ask, feeling a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

“We’ve got class,” I add, stating the obvious.

“Forget it,” he says, shaking his head, as if berating himself for asking. He turns to walk away. I should let him. But I find myself calling after him instead.

“Wait—what is it?” I ask. “Where do you want to go?”

He hesitates for a second.

“There’s just something I need to do today,” he replies simply. “And this year, I guess I don’t want to do it alone.”

I’m intrigued now despite myself. But that doesn’t mean I should be skipping class to go to god knows where with Raph.

Still, when I open my mouth, I find myself saying exactly the opposite of what I should.