Maddening. Why didn’t he act less like a cocky guy and more…vampiric?
“Fine,” I said. “Please don’t call me that.”
“As you wish, my wee dove.” He pressed on before I could get out more than an outraged squeak. “But before you go, for the record, I do not savage young women.” He gave my shoulder a final squeeze. “At least, not without their consent.”
I stormed off, the sound of his rumbling laugh at my back.
All I wanted was peace and quiet, and I couldn’t get back to the dorm quickly enough. As much as Lilac’s empty bed creeped me out, at the moment, I was thrilled at the prospect of a single room.
Carden’s scent lingered in my head. I exhaled sharply but couldn’t rid myself of his memory. He was branded into me.
I jogged up the stairs, anxious to get back before I ran into anybody. I didn’t even want to see Emma. If I saw her, I’d have to pretend nothing was going on for me. I didn’t think I could do it.
I passed her room without event. The hallway was oddly silent. Of course. It was lunchtime. The thirst for Carden was so consuming, I hadn’t even realized I was missing a meal.
His eyes were in my head, staring. One minute playful, the next minute smoldering. I knocked my head against the doorframe, resting it there as I slid the key in the lock. I actually shuddered with relief as I turned it.
Almost there. I’d crumple onto my bed, roll into a ball, and wait for the throbbing in my belly to stop.
I opened the door, and for one surreal moment, I thought I’d entered the wrong room. But no. It was Lilac’s bed, with its gray mattress ticking and neat stack of white and gray linens.
Only now a slim figure sat at the edge. I registered a sheet of shining black hair. Slim shoulders.
The figure turned.
My new roommate.
CHAPTER THREE
Dammit to hell.
She was here. My roommate. I’d known this day was coming. Was actually kind of relieved it had. But still, I made it a general rule not to trust girls on principle.
As she turned, I sized her up. Asian. Pretty. Young looking. Younger than me. I tried to guess what flavor of badass she might be.
I muttered, “How young do they take them now?” Even though she was new, part of me braced for her to pull a weapon on me. But nothing happened.
Her cheeks were blotchy. Crap. “Are you crying?”
She gave me a curt shake of her head. Perfectly cut layers swished into her eyes, and she swept them away again.
“Oh, okay. Because it looked like you were crying.”
She cleared her throat and said firmly, “I wasn’t crying.”
“Fine. Got it. Not crying. I’m Drew.” I waited, but she just looked at me blankly. “Well? What’s your name?”
“Mei-Ling.” I watched her slim throat convulse. There’d been some definite crying. “Mei-Ling Ho.”
“Pretty name.” I slung my bag onto my desk. Making idle chatter was the last thing I felt like doing.
Carden preoccupied my whole mind and body—I didn’t have time to deal with anyone else, much less some kid.
I realized it was past time for her to speak. I probed. “Mei-Ling. That a Chinese name?”
She nodded.
I was getting impatient. “What’s it mean?”