His Innocent Temptation

Not Interested

Chapter 2: Not Interested

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

My books were scattered across the hallway, and everyone around us seemed to be holding their breath.

Ryder Knight looked down at me with an unreadable expression before glancing at the books lying at his feet.

"You gonna pick those up," he asked lazily, "or should we wait until graduation?"

A few students laughed.

I narrowed my eyes.

"I'd rather graduate."

Another wave of laughter rippled through the hallway.

The smirk on Ryder's face deepened.

Interesting.

He crouched down, picked up one of my books, and brushed the dust off the cover.

"So," he said, holding it just out of my reach, "you're the girl who ignored me."

"I didn't ignore you."

"No?"

"No." I folded my arms. "I just wasn't interested."

The hallway went silent again.

One brave guy muttered, "She actually said that."

I reached for my book, but Ryder lifted it a little higher.

"You've got an attitude."

"And you've got an ego."

For the first time, he laughed.

Not a fake laugh.

A real one.

It was low, deep, and surprisingly attractive.

I hated that I noticed.

He finally handed me the book.

"What's your name?"

"Lily."

"Lily..." he repeated slowly, as if testing how it sounded.

"I don't remember asking yours."

His eyebrow lifted.

"You already know it."

"Unfortunately."

Another laugh escaped him.

People around us looked completely confused.

No one talked to Ryder Knight like this.

No one.

I stacked my books against my chest.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm late for class."

"You've got the wrong building."

I frowned.

"What?"

"English Literature moved to Hall C this morning."

I blinked.

He pointed toward the notice board behind me.

Sure enough...

There was a notice announcing the change.

Great.

I'd been so busy arguing that I hadn't even checked.

"You should probably hurry," Ryder said. "Professor Hayes locks the door after five minutes."

I didn't reply.

Instead, I turned and hurried toward Hall C.

Just before I disappeared around the corner, I heard one of the guys beside Ryder ask,

"Why'd you help her?"

There was a pause.

Then Ryder answered quietly,

"I didn't."

"But you literally—"

"I just didn't feel like watching her fail on her first day."

I couldn't see his face anymore.

But for some reason...

I had the strange feeling he was watching me leave.

And for the first time in years, Ryder Knight couldn't stop thinking about a girl who wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.