Read Online Tame the Beast (Ever After #1) by Allison Smith - Free Book Online Page B

he asked, “Is she just as gorgeous as you are?”
    Clara met Adam’s playful smirk with an icy glare. She could not tell if he was serious or just trying to rile her up. For safe measure, she said, “Stay away from my sister.”
    Adam’s grin grew wider. “Don’t worry. I promise my only intention is to get on her good side. I have so many questions to ask about you.”
    Clara folded her arms across her chest. She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to keep her stubborn mouth from betraying her amusement. “Why do you do that?”
    “Do what?”
    “Say things just to rile me up.”
    Adam leaned forward, making sure to push himself right in the middle of her personal space. Other than their first tutor session, he always kept his distance even when he teased and taunted her into a giant ball of sexual frustration. Now, he invaded her area. A mischievous smile pulled at his lips. “Because I love the adorable shade of pink that covers your cheeks when I do.”
    The gray in his eyes blended with shades of light blue, pulling her in. The hairs around her neck rose from the electricity that emanated from those stormy depths.
    “Well, stop it. It’s annoying,” she replied and rejected the effect he had on her. Damn librarians , she thought and demanded her cheeks return to a normal temperature. She needed to direct his attention to the main reason they were there.
    His classes.
    After reading his first draft of his creative writing assignment, Clara was sure his failing grades had more to do with lack of trying than anything else.
    “I don’t get it,” she said as she passed back his rough draft with a surplus of notes spilling over the margins. “The idea is good. Development is decent. The spelling and grammar are impeccable. But it’s like you gave up with the rest. There’s hardly any depth to it. Why?”
    Adam shrugged. “Better things to do with my time.”
    “Like drinking with the guys?”
    “Exactly.” Adam flashed a wide smile so dizzying Clara almost lost her train of thought. Her eyes rose to the ceiling as she shook her head. What was she going to do with him?
    “Oh come on,” he said, sensing her annoyance. “It’s just an elective.”
    The crease in her forehead deepened. She never thought of a class as ‘just an elective,’ especially a writing course. It happened to be her favorite part of the week, and it had nothing to do with a particular spoiled heir who enjoyed trying to distract her every waking moment.
    Her mouth set in a hard line as she tried to figure out what could motivate him into giving his best. If he put half the amount of work into his paper as he did honing his skills as a relentless flirt, he would have been top of his class.
    “Fine. I’ll add more depth to it,” Adam said, breaking the silence. She didn’t appreciate his mocking tone, but she was satisfied nonetheless. With a crooked smile, he added, “That’s not fair, you know.”
    “What’s not? The fact that I want you to get an A, rather than just a passing grade?”
    “No,” he replied, pausing until he had her full attention. “The way you get exactly what you want from me without saying a word.”
    Clara snickered. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Sure you do. You’ll have to teach me that little trick.”
    Clara tried to muffle her laugh, but the quick intake of air almost caused her to snort. “That would be like giving liquor to an alcoholic.”
    “Are you saying I couldn’t handle it?”
    “Oh no,” she said, trying to keep her eyes on his papers. “I’m saying it would be stupid, and I’m not going to be your enabler. I’m sure you already know how to get exactly what you want.”
    “Not everything I want.” The rough sound of his low voice sent small vibrations across Clara’s skin. She was well aware of the effect he had on her, and it didn’t sit well with her conscience.
    Stay focused , she stubbornly told her overactive imagination, but it was already jumping at the