“It was,” I agree, trying to keep the angry snarl out of my voice. Earn his trust again, Avery. This won’t work if yo
u don’t earn his trust. “I, uh—actually want to make it up to you, though.”
Both boys look at me in surprise. “How?” Bennett asks.
“So uh, we’re getting our first hunt assignments next week,” I say awkwardly. It was in the letter the school sent me over the summer. Second-year students start doing independent hunts with partners. “I was wondering if you wanted to be my partner?”
The boys glance at each other. “It would work out,” Bennett says. “I’ve already promised Owen. He … sort of needs me,” he adds quietly, looking at the floor.
I don’t respond, but it makes sense. Owen is probably frail now, not to mention the monthly transformations. He probably needs someone as bulky and strong as Bennett to both protect him and handle him when he … changes.
“Plus, we work well together,” I offer. “Last year, we planned that mock hunt for Survival class, remember? We did really well.” I smile shyly at him, though I’m not sure if it comes across. I probably look like a constipated baboon.
Piers’ eyes take on a hopeful shine, and I know my efforts have worked. “Yeah,” he says. “Yeah, I—I’ll be your partner, Avery.”
This is too easy. I grin.
“Great! Good. I’m already researching.” I indicate the piles of books.
“None of us have an assignment,” Bennett says dubiously.
I shrug. “Doesn’t hurt to be prepared. If you know everything, you can’t be surprised.”
Piers nods, but he still looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. “Yeah. Uh, you’ve got stuff covered here, so I’m gonna head to breakfast or something. Coming, Bennett?”
“In a sec,” Bennett says, grabbing a book. “I have something I want to look for.”
Piers hurries off, limping awkwardly. Once he’s out of sight, Bennett comes over to me and stands extremely close, looking down at me.
“That’s very nice of you,” he says softly, and an inadvertent shiver runs up my spine. He smiles gently at me. “I’m glad you’re coming around. He’s been beating himself up worse than you did, you know.”
I shrug, not really sure what to say. I’m not thinking about Piers anymore. My heart’s beating hard and fast, and I can feel the heat coming off Bennett’s body. He reaches out a hand and closes it around my upper arm, pulling me a little closer.
“I meant what I said,” he says in a low rumble.
“Which thing?” I breathe up at him. His eyes are dark, almost black. I almost don’t want him to answer. I want to just stand here, close to him, feeling his large hand pressing into my skin.
Without speaking, he leans down and presses his lips against mine. My eyes flutter closed as he pulls me to him. The kiss only lasts a few seconds, but the amount of lust and yearning he manages to convey—his hand pulling almost painfully, his lips pressing hungrily, his arm wrapping around my waist to pull me tightly against him—makes me want to faint, or even just take him then and there on the library floor.
And then he breaks away from me, stepping back. Cold air rushes in between us. He holds my gaze for what feels like forever, but also nowhere near long enough.
“Take care, Avery,” he says.
“Bennett,” I breathe.
He turns and walks off.
I sit down in my chair again, now hugely distracted from my studies. Just like I promised myself I wouldn’t be.
Chapter Eight
Come Monday morning, there’s a huge poster in pretty much every hallway reminding all the second-year students to visit Professor Helsing for their hunting assignments. All the hunts are to take place during Christmas break. Even not considering my plan to break and humiliate Piers, I feel jittery—I want to get my assignment early so I can go ahead and start planning.
I have twice the work to do, after all.
When I enter creature studies, I make sure to stop by Piers’ desk on the way to my own to make sure he’s seen the posters.
He looks up at me in surprise, then glances at Bennett, who nods encouragingly. “Yeah,” he says.