Daniel grunts. “Yeah, I’m sure he did. Girls love the ‘woe is me, I can’t help the fact that I’m so beautiful’ speech.”
“That was all a play?”
It’s his turn to be surprised. “Come on. You seriously bought it? I’m sorry for not saying something sooner then. With yourability to read people, I just assumed you saw right through him. I didn’t bother digging through your thoughts to find out.” He lets out a breath. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound critical. I just hate the guy so much and it kills me to know his game worked on you. Especially you.”
“I thought he was a jerk and fought him for that reason, but no, I didn’t know he purposely tried to manipulate people.”
“And he obsesses over the ones he can’t have.” He quiets, and then grins. “Man, Laura must despise you. You’ve hooked both of us.”
His implication sends chills through me. I’ve hooked him?
That smile. God, I want to suck it off his face.
He snorts a laugh, and I blush. “What’s her gift, anyway?” I blurt in the most awkward subject change ever.
Thank heavens he has mercy and lets it go. “You were right in your guess. She’s immune to other abilities and can turn them back on you.”
“Including you?”
He shakes his head. “Not me. I don’t know why. It’s one of the reasons I fascinated her in the beginning. Probably why she hung on longer than she should have.”
“And yet, she doesn’t seem to know anything about you. She thinks you’re just a violent addict like everyone else.”
“You can be physically close and still keep your distance.”
“Yeah, but…”
He scans my face. “Would we be here right now if you hadn’t seen inside my head? You know the answer, even if you don’t want to admit it. You’d be out there with them, resenting me for throwing your friendly attempts back in your face. I’m an expert at what I do.”
I don’t like the thought. Especially because he’s right. It’s not hard to see our relationship taking an entirely different course if I hadn’t touched him that night. It makes me uncomfortable.
“So given your rocky history with both of them, why does Clausen group you all together?”
“Why not? It’s the perfect place for me. He knows we hate each other. Living together only fuels the rivalry. The more they hate me, the more the superstar couple on campus convinces everyone else to do the same.”
“I guess that backfired in my case.”
“They weren’t counting on our introduction before you were convinced of the lie.”
“Or that I’d touch you.”
Our gazes lock. “That was... I’m so used to judgments and fear, not sincere curiosity. I’m immune to most abilities, but not yours. I didn’t know what to make of you.”
“But you read me. You had to know what was in my heart.”
“Yeah, and I also knew you hadn’t been given enough reason to hate me yet. I figured it was just a matter of time until they convinced you otherwise.”
“You hoped.”
“Now you know why.”
“I would do it again. I’m glad I know the truth.”
His weak smile pierces me as I wait for his response. “Now, you’re really going to be late.”
I sigh. Of course he deflects again. “So do I love you or hate you publicly? Which will work better for Clausen?”
“You know the answer to that.”
