Lovely by Jez Strider Read Free Book Online Page A

made it look like I was writing a response instead of checking a box. I glanced back at him and his expression changed to a worried frown. In reality, I’d only been pretending to write and checked both boxes.
    After I folded up the paper, he extended his hand for me to give it to him. I shook my head and mouthed the words “after school.” Then, I turned my attention to the instructor at the head of the class.
    Inside, I was bouncing off the walls with emotion. His tactic had been adorabl e and he knew it, but I was doing a pretty darn good job hiding that I thought so.
    When class was dismissed he reached for the book that I had slipped the paper into, but I grabbed the textbook and held it to my chest.
    “Are you sure you want the answer?” I asked seriously in a convincing tone.
    “I’m not sure now, but I need to know.”
    “Fine.” I flipped open the book. The paper was on page ninety-five. It fell to the floor and landed at Gavyn’s feet.
    He bent over in a hurry, took a deep breath, and then unfolded it. His grin returned when he looked down at it. “You’re such a brat.” He slipped his arm around my waist, kissed my cheek, and led me out of the classroom.

Chapter 13
    “Want to spend the weekend with me?” Gavyn asked in between kisses to my cleavage. He’d tugged my low cut blouse down toward my belly button.
    “I thought you were busy on Friday nights,” I said, disappointed when he stopped and helped me to sit up on my futon.
    He wouldn’t meet my gaze and a feeling of dread knotted my stomach. When he finally looked into my eyes, the anxiety stupidly eased. I should have trusted my first instinct.
    Gavyn shrugged. “Kind of, but I figure you can be a part of it. You’re part of my life now.”
    “Alright. I’ll pack an overnight bag.” I stood, pulled my shirt back up over my breasts, and retrieved my small suitcase from the closet.
    He wandered around the room, looking at my newest paintings as he waited for me to pack. “Is this one me?”
    I grinned as I placed the folded clothing in my bag. “That is you… as a spy.”
    “Getting a real kink for that, aren’t you?”
    “Maybe you’ll find out this weekend.” I shut my overnight bag. He walked over to carry it for me.
    He still seemed a bit uneasy. There was something I couldn’t pin down, but I didn’t press.
    We arrived at his apartment a short time later and he pushed open the door to let me in. The first thing I noticed was the painting I’d given him as payment for taking me to the dentist hanging on the wall in the living room.
    In contrast to my place, his walls were pure white. The décor was conservative, not like the bachelor pad I imagined a college guy would have at all. As he had at my apartment, I slipped off my shoes before stepping further inside. Gavyn set my bag down beside the door.
    “Can I look around?” I asked.
    “Sure. Make yourself at home.” He went into the kitchen and turned on the stove. A teapot was already sitting on top with water inside.
    He had a small dining area with a table and four chairs. Beside it was the living room . There was a black sofa, a widescreen television in front of it, and a computer desk in the corner. A bar separated the kitchen from the other two rooms. It wasn’t large, but clean and homely. A magnet held a drawing securely to the fridge, but I couldn’t see what it was from where I was standing.
    I headed down a nearby hallway. On my left was a room with a closed door. I didn’t open it. On my right was a bathroom, and at the end of the hall the master bedroom. I returned to the living room and sat down on the couch when Gavyn brought me a cup of tea.
    “Thanks, ” I said, not much of a hot tea drinker, but accepting the cup. Tea was supposed to be iced and loaded with sugar. I sipped it cautiously and was pleasantly surprised at the fragrance and taste. “This place is nice.” I braved another sip then placed the cup on a coaster to let the beverage