Forbidden Read Free

voluptuous; just right, to his way of thinking. But although her beauty had caught his attention, it wasn’t the only reason he was attracted to her. He was well trained in the art of reading people, and although he’d barely heard her speak more than a few sentences, she radiated intelligence, confidence, and vulnerability all at the same time—a combination he found extremely compelling.
    Clearly, he thought, Claire wasn’t experiencing the same magnetic pull that was wreaking havoc on his mind and pulse rate. If anything, he sensed that she didn’t much like him—that he’d made a poor first impression. As they walked along, she laughed effortlessly with her friends and directed the occasional comment his way, but she was clearly doing it more out of politeness than real interest. He did his best to nod and smile, but he felt awkward, as if his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth.
    Get a grip , Alec silently chided himself as they left the stairs and crossed the main street of the campus toward the gym. It was so unlike him to react this way. Over the years, he’d become adept at taking on whatever role was needed, while at the same time hiding his feelings and talents. But in the past there had always been an ulterior motive to his interactions. Now, for almost the first time in his existence, he had an opportunity to truly be himself—but without a specific goal, he found himself floundering. He wasn’t sure what to say or how to act.
    For eons, he’d fantasized about making friends—wasn’t that one of the reasons he was here? It went against everything he’d been taught, and he knew he wasn’t really prepared for it; but he couldn’t help himself. As long as he remained hidden, as long as he didn’t cross any lines, and as long as none of the others found him, he should be safe—right?
    Still, these feelings had happened much faster than he’d anticipated. He’d barely just settled in, accepted as a last-minute entry based on his stellar entrance exam test scores—legitimate—his flawless transcript—not so legitimate—and a substantial financial contribution from “his uncle Gregory.” He’d scoped out the school as a visitor several times, and today was supposed to be the final stage of recon. Assess the population. Gather more data. Remain inconspicuous. Instead, this friendly group seemed to have adopted him—and here he was, struggling to hide an immediate, overpowering attraction to a girl he’d just met.
    “Check your schedule, Alec.” Erica’s voice jolted him back to the present as they entered the brightly lit gymnasium. The space was packed with students lining up at tables for their textbooks according to grade and subject. The bleachers were collapsed against the side walls beneath a patchwork of red, white, and blue banners representing sports victories that went back over thirty years. It was warm and stuffy inside, the rafters echoing with conversation and laughter.
    “If you’re in an honors class, be sure to mention that to the teachers, because the books are different,” Claire explained as they approached the juniors’ English table.
    Say something , Alec mentally instructed himself. He’d barely strung more than three words together since he’d met these people. They must think him a half-wit. He studied his class schedule. “I think most of my classes are honors.”
    “Are you serious?” Brian said. “I barely placed into honors physics.”
    “Sounds like you and Claire will be in a lot of the same classes.” Erica put her arm around Claire, smiling like an affectionate parent. “Claire’s the class brain. We’re so very proud of her.”
    “I am not a brain,” Claire insisted, rolling her eyes modestly.
    Claire showed him her schedule, her hand nearly touching his as she stood beside him. It turned out they were indeed in several classes together. Her proximity—and the knowledge that he’d be seeing her throughout the school day—sent his