I’m seized by a sense of raw outrage, poor, fucked-up, kinky, philanthropic Christian –

though I’m sure he wouldn’t see himself this way and would repel any thoughts of sympa-

thy or pity. Abruptly, everyone bursts into applause and stands. I follow, though I haven’t

heard half his speech. He’s doing all of these good works, running a huge company, and

chasing me at the same time. It’s overwhelming. I remember the brief snippets of conver-

sations he’s had about Darfur… it all falls into place. Food.

He smiles briefly at the warm applause – even Kate is clapping, then he resumes his

seat. He doesn’t look my way, and I’m off-kilter trying to assimilate this new information

about him.

One of the Vice Chancellors rises, and we begin the long, tedious process of collecting

our degrees. There are over four hundred to be given out, and it takes just over an hour

before I hear my name. I make my way up to the stage between the two giggling girls.

Christian gazes down at me, his gaze warm but guarded.

“Congratulations, Miss Steele,” he says as he shakes my hand, squeezing it gently. I

feel the charge of his flesh on mine. “Do you have a problem with your laptop?”

I frown as he hands me my degree.

“No.”

“Then you areignoring my emails?”

“I only saw the mergers and acquisitions one.”

He looks quizzically at me.

“Later,” he says, and I have to move on because I’m holding up the line.

I go back to my seat. Emails? He must have sent another. What did it say?

The ceremony takes another hour to conclude. It’s interminable. Finally, the Chan-

cellor leads the faculty members off the stage to yet more rousing applause, preceded by

Christian and Kate. Christian does not glance at me, even though I’m willing him to do it.

My inner goddess is not pleased.

As I stand and wait for our row to disperse, Kate calls to me. She’s heading my way

from behind the stage.

“Christian wants to talk to you,” she shouts. The two girls who are now standing be-

side me turn and gape at me.

“He’s sent me out here,” she continues.

Oh…

“Your speech was great, Kate.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” she beams. “Are you coming? He can be very insistent.” She rolls

her eyes, and I grin.

“You have no idea. I can’t leave Ray for long.” I glance up at Ray and hold my fingers

up indicating five minutes. He nods, giving me an okay sign, and I follow Kate into the

corridor behind the stage. Christian is talking to the Chancellor and two of the teaching

staff. He looks up when he sees me.

“Excuse me, gentlemen,” I hear him murmur. He comes toward me and smiles briefly

at Kate.

“Thank you,” he says, and before she can reply, he takes my elbow and steers me into

what looks like a men’s locker room. He checks to see if it’s empty, and then he locks the

door. Holy shit, what does he have in mind?I blink up at him as he turns on me.

“Why haven’t you emailed me? Or texted me back?” He glares. I’m nonplussed.

“I haven’t looked at my computer today, or my phone.” Crap, has he been trying to

call? I try my distraction technique that’s so effective on Kate. “That was a great speech.”

“Thank you.”

“Explains your food issues to me.”

He runs a hand through his hair, exasperated.

“Anastasia, I don’t want to go there at the moment.” He closes his eyes, looking pained.

“I’ve been worried about you.”

“Worried, why?”

“Because you went home in that deathtrap you call a car.”

“What? It’s not a deathtrap. It’s fine. José regularly services it for me.”

“José, the photographer?” Christian’s eyes narrow, his face frosting. Oh Crap.

“Yes, the Beetle used to belong to his mother.”

“Yes, and probably her mother and her mother before her. It’s not safe.”

“I’ve been driving it for over three years. I’m sorry you were worried. Why didn’t you

call?” Jeez, he’s completely over-reacting.

He takes a deep breath.

“Anastasia, I need an answer from you. This waiting around is driving me crazy.”

“Christian, I… look, I’ve left my stepdad on his own.”

“Tomorrow. I want an answer by tomorrow.”

“Okay. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you then.” I blink at him.

He steps back, regarding me coolly, and his shoulders relax.

“Are you staying for drinks?” he asks.

“I don’t know what Ray wants to do.”

“Your stepfather? I’d like to meet him.”

Oh no… why?

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Christian unlocks the door, his mouth in a grim line.

“Are you ashamed of me?”

“No!” It’s my turn to sound exasperated. “Introduce you to my dad as what? ‘This is

the man who deflowered me and wants us to start a BDSM relationship’. You’re not wear-

ing running shoes.”

Christian glares down at me, and then his lips twitch up in a smile. And in spite of the

fact I’m mad at him, my face is unwillingly pulled into an answering grin.

“Just so you know, I can run quite fast. Just tell him I’m your friend, Anastasia.”

He opens the door, and I head out. My mind is whirling. The Chancellor, the three

Vice Chancellors, four professors, and Kate stare at me as I walk hastily past them. Holy

crap.Leaving Christian with the faculty I go in search of Ray.

Tell him I’m your friend.Friend with benefits, my subconscious scowls. I know, I

know. I shake the unpleasant thought away. How will I introduce him to Ray? The hall is

still at least half full, and Ray has not moved from his spot. He sees me, waves, and makes

his way down.

“Hey, Annie. Congratulations.” He puts his arm around me.

“Would you like to come and have a drink in the marquee?”

“Sure. It’s your day. Lead the way.”

“We don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Please say no…

“Annie, I’ve just sat for two and half hours listening to all kinds of jabbering. I need

a drink.”

I put my arm through his, and we stroll out with the throng into the warmth of the early

afternoon. We pass the line for the official photographer.

“Oh, that reminds me.” Ray drags a digital camera out of his pocket. “One for the

album, Annie.” I roll my eyes at him as he snaps a picture of me.

“Can I take the cap and gown off now? I feel kind of dorky.”

You look kinda dorky… my subconscious is at her snarky best. So are you going to

introduce Ray to the man you’re fucking?She is glaring at me over her wing-shaped spec-

tacles. He’d be so proud.God, I hate her sometimes.

The marquee is immense, and crowded – students, parents, teachers, and friends, all

chattering happily. Ray hands me a glass of champagne or cheap fizzy wine, I suspect. It’s

not chilled, and it tastes sweet. My thoughts turn to Christian… he won’t like this.

“Ana!” I turn, and Ethan Kavanagh scoops me into his arms. He twirls me around,

without spilling my wine, some feat.

“Congratulations!” He beams down at me, green eyes twinkling.

What a surprise. His dirty blonde hair tousled and sexy-looking. He’s as beautiful as

Kate. The family resemblance is striking.

“Wow – Ethan! How lovely to see you. Dad, this is Ethan, Kate’s brother. Ethan, this

is my dad, Ray Steele.” They shake hands, my dad coolly assessing Mr. Kavanagh.

“When did you get back from Europe?” I ask.

“I’ve been back for a week, but I wanted to surprise my little sister,” he says conspira-

torially.

“That’s so sweet.” I grin up at him.

“She is Valedictorian, couldn’t miss that.” He looks immensely proud of his sister.

“She gave a great speech.”

“That she did,” Ray agrees.