Ungifted by Kelly Oram Read Free Book Online Page B

rugged handsome. Whereas Ethan had a baby face and would probably be able to pass for a high school student until he was thirty, Preston looked as if he should have graduated years ago. He had the muscles of a professional weightlifter and the short-cropped hair of a soldier. If he weren’t so intimidating, he’d have the girls flocking to him like seagulls.
    Preston felt my stare and looked up. How he knew I was there to see him I have no idea, but my heart thumped nervously when he crooked his finger at me, beckoning me to him. I tried not to shake too noticeably as I approached him.
    “You’re afraid of me,” he said out of nowhere.
    I blanched, which only proved his point. There was no use pretending with Preston, so I took a deep breath and admitted, “You’re very intimidating.”
    My comment amused him and he went back to reading his book. I realized that if I wanted him to talk to me I’d have to earn his respect. I had to get past my fear. “You can’t blame me for being nervous,” I said quietly. “You keep people on edge purposely. The question I wonder is—why do you make so much effort to scare people off when you’re clearly disgusted by their fear?”
    Surprised, Preston closed his book and gestured to the chair across from him. “Have a seat.”
    “European history?” I asked as I sat down, distracted by the fact that he was reading a biography on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Every independent study student had to choose a specific subject for the semester. History Buff didn’t fit the image I had of Cynthia’s oldest brother.
    My question seemed to amuse Preston again. “Actually, it’s a leadership course.”
    That made so much more sense to me. I didn’t realize I was nodding my head in agreement until Preston questioned me. “You approve?”
    “I can see it,” I admitted honestly. “Not in the political sense like my dad, but you’d probably make an excellent military leader.”
    Now I’d really surprised him. I blushed under his stare and looked at my lap as I tried to explain myself. “You’re always so calm and collected, and you naturally command respect from everyone around you. You keep your brothers in line like no teacher here can. Plus, Cyn idolizes you, so you have to be a decent person because there aren’t many people in the world Cynthia Layton looks up to.”
    I felt Preston watching me, but I couldn’t bring myself to make eye contact. I couldn’t believe I’d just said all that. My confrontation with Ethan the night before must have made me lose my mind.
    I had no clue what was going through Preston’s head right then, but I was still surprised by what he said next. “You put on a good show, Grace St. Claire.”
    The statement startled me into looking up at him. He was studying me with a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “You’ve got everyone fooled quite nicely. You’re nothing like the girl people think you are.”
    I knew what he meant, but he wasn’t right. I shrugged awkwardly. “I don’t put on any kind of show. I’m only ever myself. People just see what they want to see.”
    Preston studied me a moment longer and then sighed. “Fair enough.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms casually over his chest. “So what can I do for you today, Grace? What brings you to my lonely corner of the library?”
    “What can you tell me about Andrew De La Cote?”
    Preston’s whole body tensed so subtly I could barely see it, but I felt it all the way to my gut. Goose bumps formed on my arms and the hairs on the back of my next stood up from the barely-contained fury radiating off of Preston.
    “What makes you think I know this person?” he asked.
    “Um.” I practically cowered beneath Preston’s piercing stare. “Because when I brought him up to Cynthia this morning she freaked . But she wouldn’t tell me anything about him. If he’s really as dangerous as she seems to think he is, then there’s no chance her brothers