“Sit here,” Declan said to me, pointing to a seat next to him as he sat down when Blake motioned for me to sit next to him.

I sent Blake an apologetic smile as I sat down next to Declan.

Just then a text came in on my phone, and I pulled it out of my backpack.

I read the text and the air got sucked out of me.

So you’re blackmailing my father now? Not smart, Elizabeth. Call me ASAP. See you real soon, babe …

Emphatic. Sure of himself. Colby Scott.

I wanted to hurl the phone across the room but settled for gripping the edge of the table.

I jerked up from my seat and grabbed my backpack.

“Where’re you going?” Dax and Declan both asked at the same time, the similar timbres of their voices striking.

“Home.”

“But, you still have classes,” Shelley said with a quizzical look. “You’ve never missed a class in your life, even when you had the flu … Crap, you look like death warmed over.” She scowled. “Was that your mom on the phone?”

Deny, deny, deny.

I clutched my phone to my chest. “Just not feeling well. Later guys.”

Blake stood up. “Wait, I’ll walk you to the parking lot.”

“No, I will.” Declan stood.

Everyone looked at each other, uneasy glances going between Blake and Declan.

“I don’t need a babysitter.” I pivoted on my heels and had just cleared the door that lead to the outdoor quad when I felt Declan behind me. He pulled me to a stop and I whipped around.

His eyes searched mine. “Why are you so upset? One minute you were glad to see me, and the next you can’t get away fast enough. What’s going on with you? Was it Nadia?”

I shook my head.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Has Colby been to see you?”

“No. I—I just need to get home. I don’t feel well.” I twirled around, but his voice stopped me.

“You’re running, Elizabeth, but it won’t do you any good. You can’t fight what we have.”

His words went straight to my gut, and I turned back to face him.

His eyes bored into mine. “Can’t you see what’s happening between us? We keep pushing each other away because we’re scared. But that night at the gym—it wasn’t just sex for me, Elizabeth. I want you for real , all the good and bad parts together.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Stop denying us .”

Us? The colony of butterflies in my tummy went crazy.

He continued. “You have wounds. Deep ones. I see that. You’re living in the past with no hope for the future, but you do have hope. I saw it when you talked about your jewelry. I saw it when I made love to you. Just—open your heart. Let me in.” His words were insistent, his eyes soft. Earnest. I sucked in a sharp breath.

God, he was beautiful.

So was Colby .

Didn’t he see that I couldn’t change for him? Did he really think I would hand him the razors to cut out my heart piece by piece? It wasn’t just a paper thing you could tape back together.

“My heart is not easily mended,” I whispered. “And you—you have the potential to rip it apart permanently, so much more than Colby ever did.”

He exhaled. “I will never hurt you.”

“Colby said that too,” I said bitterly.

“Listen to me, Elizabeth,” he clasped my hand, his gray eyes peering down at me intently. “I’ve known since the frat party that we have a connection. There’s a magnet in my chest that’s drawn to yours. Maybe it was lust at first sight. Maybe it was the vulnerable way you looked at me, but mostly, it—it was the dragonfly. This feeling … it’s crazy and I can’t define it, but I think—I think I’m falling for you.”

Love?

Love cuts out your heart piece by piece, feeding it to the boy you love.

But this is Declan. He’s different , a small voice whispered.

But …

“What do you want from me?” My voice was torn, my emotions all over the place.

He cupped my cheek, his thumb caressing the curve of my face. “The truth. How do you feel? Do you hate me? Do you want me to kiss you?” His full lips tilted up in a sweet smile, like he already knew the answer. I guess he did.

He leaned his head down and pressed his warm mouth against mine. The pressure was gentle and sweet at first, but like everything between us, it got hot fast. His hand snaked into my hair and cupped my head as our tongues tangled, massaging, our passion rising with each dark stroke. God, yes. I wanted this. Him. Forever.