Page 254 of Ruthless Court

I clutch my bag against my chest.

“You enjoyed that.”

“The debate?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I enjoyed arguing with you.”

“In front of twelve people recording us.”

“I told them to put their phones down.”

“You also turned our assignment into a public discussion of our kissing history.”

His mouth twitches.

“You brought up the first kiss.”

“You baited me.”

“You followed the bait.”

“That doesn’t make it ethical.”

“We just spent forty minutes deciding that.”

I look toward the stairs.

“You should go. Half the athletic department is probably waiting to congratulate you on your academic mating ritual.”

“Stay.”

The word is quiet.

No command sharpened around it.

I glance back.

Kane pushes away from the door but doesn’t come closer.

“You were right in there.”

“I was right about several things. Narrow it down.”

“I decide what women want before they tell me.”

The answer catches me.

He shoves both hands into his pockets.

“I assume they want the attention, the seats, the future contract. Then I treat every move like evidence.”

“You have reasons.”

“That doesn’t make it fair.”

No grin.