He gripped my chin, bringing his nose to mine.
My heart skipped a beat, his nearness souring my stomach.
I hated when they touched me.
But they did it often, treating me like a chew toy they could stomp beneath their boot. No one ever did anything about it. Not even when their grip bruised—such as it did now.
The administrators at this esteemed academy cared more about their budgets than their students. I was just a charity case, someone lucky to be here. It didn’t matter that it was my father’s money that paid the bills. No. He was dead, leaving Clarissa in charge of his estate.
“Careful, Cindersoot,” Charlie warned, his lips falling to my ear. “Push me and I’ll push back.”
He released my chin to place his palm between my breasts and gave me a shove that sent my chair back a foot.
“You reek,” he snapped, standing upright and sneering at me. “Stay back there. The rest of us value our sense of smell.” With that, he turned and approached a horde of giggling girls and smirking guys.
Our audience.
Yeah, enjoy the show, I thought, scooting my chair loudly back to my seat.
Because fuck him and his command.
He either didn’t hear me move or didn’t care. Likely the latter. His bullying attempt for today was done, making him the center of attention. The king lording over his minions.
At least Dash wasn’t in this class. Handling both princes of this kingdom created quite the headache.
Everyone fell silent, sending a chill down my spine.
Shit. He noticed and now—
“You must be the infamous Trayton Nacht,” Charlie drawled, his shoulders tightening beneath his blazer jacket as he faced the front of the room.
“I’m not sure about infamous” was the reply. Goose bumps pebbled across my skin, the newcomer’s voice deep and masculine with a slight lilt. “And I prefer Tray.”
A glance around the room confirmed I wasn’t the only female affected.
Gleams of interest came from the feminine population, while jealousy mingled with curiosity on the male faces. I couldn’t see the new guy, but he clearly had a physical impact.
Which explained Charlie’s defensive stance.
He didn’t take kindly to men who threatened his position as the hottest guy in the school. Only Dash could share it with him.
Although, some would argue it was Charlie who actually shared the spot with Dash. Not the other way around.
Regardless, this new guy clearly provided some competition.
“Charlie Anderson,” Darlington Academy’s prince informed the newcomer. “Son of Jackson Anderson.”
Silence.
After a long beat, Tray said, “Oh, sorry. Was that supposed to mean something to me?”
My lips quirked up. Wrong thing to say, buddy. But admirable at the same time.
“Owner of Anderson Motors,” Charlie replied, folding his arms. His back was still to me, blocking my view of the new guy. But I could sense the tension rising between them.
“Yeah, sorry, I’m not familiar with the American automotive industry. But congratulations on the relation.” He stepped around him, providing me with my first look at the guy who dared defy Darlington royalty.
Reddish-brown hair.