He arched one elegant brow, as if waiting for me to say more.
“And I’m certainly not going to explain anything to someone who keeps calling me a bitch,” I added.
“My apologies,” he said, lowering his chin like a penitent. “You’re right, that was ungentlemanly of me. You’re not a bitch; you’re just extremely irritating. Better?”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him and instead gave a slow, long-suffering sigh. “Ouverham isn’t known for being accepting toward… unconventional romances. So we decided to keep our relationship a secret.”
“I still don’t understand.” Casimir frowned. “What was so unconventional about your relationship with August that it warranted such secrecy?”
In other words, why would I agree to live a lie? I scrutinized his face, my brows knitting together in confusion. Was Casimir really so uninformed about the hierarchy that dominated this school? I didn’t imagine he would feign ignorance over something so painfully obvious.
“Why do you care?” I fired back.
“I guess I’m just starved for gossip,” he deadpanned.
Another lie, again without a trace of evidence. Was I starting to lose my touch?
My head pounded with my rising frustration. Gods, was it not punishment enough to have Casimir bear witness to my humiliation in the Labyrinth? Was I now also going to have to explain the circumstances of my breakup to this complete stranger? A stranger, who, by the way, had intentionallyeavesdropped on my private conversation. Who was now watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.
I tore my eyes from Casimir to glower into my cup, considering my options. On one hand, he had no right to demand answers from me. On the other, I was desperate to get the hell out of this room and away from him and his probing eyes. And… maybe it would feel good to tell the truth after so many months of secrecy.
Rain began to patter heavily against the windows as the light outside grew brighter. It must be nearly time for morning classes.
In a rush, I began to explain. “August claimed he was rushing some secret, highly exclusive society on campus. He said he couldn’t be seen… er,datingme, if he wanted to have a chance of being inducted. The students who run these clubs are, well—wealthy—and they have certain expectations when it comes to their members’ breeding and backgrounds.”
Something like comprehension flared in Casimir’s eyes. He blinked, and the expression vanished. I was quickly learning that he possessed an uncanny ability to mask his emotions.
“What was the name of this secret society?” he asked, his gaze probing.
“He never told me.” I shrugged evasively. “Anyway, I should be going.” My eyes darted between Casimir and the door. “Classes start soon, and the professors will be here any minute…” I was preparing to bolt when he reached out to grab my hand. I froze at the sudden contact.
He must have heard my sharp intake of breath because he let go at once, and I felt the loss of his heat as if I’d plunged my hand into ice water, even as my cheeks heated with embarrassment.
Casimir broke the silence, the tenor of his voice more tender than I had expected. “I didn’t mean to rub salt in the wound.”
He was still standing too close. A shaft of light from the windows cast the shadows from his face, throwing his featuresinto sharp relief. His expression was inscrutable as I met his eye.
“Sometimes we put our faith in the wrong people,” he said.
“Yeah, I’ll never make that mistake again,” I vowed.
My father had raised me to catch liars and then concealed his own secrets behind a mask. August told me he loved me and then refused to acknowledge our relationship. It wasn’t even eight in the morning, and I’d already spilled the mortifying details of my tangled romance to a near stranger. I expected to regret it.
“Never say never,” he said wryly.
My shoulders relaxed, and I drained the last of my coffee and set the cup on the counter.
“You should go before you get caught.” Casimir jerked his chin in the direction of the door.
I arched a brow in question, and he gave a low chuckle.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone what you’ve told me.” Then, in a tone that was far too sultry for the early hour, he added, “Your secrets are safe with me.”
I almost believed him.
“See you around, Farrow.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I turned on my heel and left the room.