“Stop.” I narrow my eyes, stepping into the now fixed elevator.
He follows me in. The elevator now feels smaller than usual but my senses also tell me that Lucas is standing too far away.
This constant push and pull my body and mind like to do is becoming exhausting.
He chuckles. “I didn’t even say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. Your face is saying enough.”
I lean back against the elevator wall, attempting to appear as casual as I can about needing the support because Lucas’s ego is already too big for my liking right now.
He leans his shoulder against the same wall, arms crossed and shirt unfortunately now back on his body.
He should really do us all a favor and walk around the campus shirtless.
Preston’s family owns Kingswell and his dad is the governor of Ellingbrooke—surely Lucas wouldn’t get into too much trouble.
Lucas watches me and I watch him. It’s a good thing no one else is in the elevator, otherwise it’d look like we were having a staring contest, but I see the glimmer in his eyes and I wonder if he can see it in mine too.
Do I look as light as I feel?
Can he tell that I don’t want to say goodnight just yet?
I want to invite him in. Tell him why hearing him talk to Xanthe had made a lump form in my throat and my hands shake at my sides, despite knowing his attention wasn’t even on her.
But I can’t explain any of that. Not without exposing a part of myself to Lucas that I’m not sure I’m ready for him to have. So instead, I do what I do best. I shove those feelings down, replacing them with something that I’m not proud of either but it’s safer.
“You definitely cheated.” I turn my attention toward the numbers that light up, telling me what floor we’re on.
He snorts. “How?”
“I don’t know but I’m going to figure it out.”
Lucas steps closer, my shoulder now brushing up against his chest and I try really hard to ignore the butterflies in my stomach at my proximity to him.
It’s ridiculous, really.
I’ve never in my life felt this kind of ache for someone and the fact that I just admitted to myself that I’m desperate for this man, just means that I need to create space right now. I take a step to the side, crossing my arms and keeping my attention on anything but Lucas, hoping to deter him.
This guy is far too confident in his abilities for his own good.
The steel of this elevator cab is suddenly very interesting and I think I’ve found my new calling.
Installing elevators.
Who needs ballet or psychology when I can spend my days repairing and installing vertical transportation systems?
My attempt to keep space is futile because now he’s just standing in front of me, arm resting on the bar behind me, boxing me in. “Guess we’ll just have to have a rematch.”
My thighs squeeze together but I try to play it off by pretending that my skirt needs adjusting. “Maybe.”
“Maybe, huh?”
I nod, now looking back at him.
“I’ll take it.” He pulls away when the elevator dings, the doors opening to reveal my floor.
He gestures for me to step out first and I do so without arguing because I think I might just suffocate from that adorable ass smirk he’s giving me if I remain in this elevator any longer.