The Tainted (The Tainted Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

classroom after her.
    Ignoring her questioning glare, the new boy stood up, towering over the class. He must have been at least 6’4” with a muscular built frame, broad shoulders, and strong arms that made him seem even more immense. His face lit up with a bright, intelligent smile, his tousled dark chocolate brown hair was cut short, and his brilliant emerald eyes held an air of mischief.
    “Name’s Maverick, or Ricky for short.”
    The teacher raised a questioning eyebrow at the boy, but didn’t say anything about his sudden appearance. “Welcome Ricky. Now if you’ll return to your seat we’ll begin class.”
    Maverick plopped down in his chair and casually ran a hand back through his hair. After a moment, he turned, unable to ignore Rebecca’s unwavering glare any longer. “May I help you with something?”
    “When did you get here?” Rebecca whispered harshly to the new boy.
    “Moved to town about a week ago.”
    “That’s not what I meant. How did you get in that seat? You weren’t there when I sat down, and then all of a sudden you…”
    Rebecca stopped suddenly as a shadow fell over her desk. Slowly, she raised her head and found herself looking right into the glowering eyes of her teacher.
    “I know it’s exciting to have a new student, and I’m sure you think he’s rather cute, but if you’re finding him too distracting, Rebecca, I can always have you moved.”
    Rebecca leaned back in her chair, dipping her head down as her face flushed bright red.
    Her teacher made his way back toward the front of the classroom, continuing on with his lesson. As soon as he’d turned, Rebecca shot the nastiest glare she could manage at Maverick. To her great displeasure, he simply smiled and winked back.
    For the remainder of class, Rebecca refused to look anywhere but straight at the front whiteboard. She could feel Maverick looking over at her multiple times, but there wasn’t a chance in the world she was going to acknowledge it.
    When the bell finally rang, Rebecca immediately picked up her books and rushed toward the door. She’d only made it a few steps into the hallway, though, before a hand came crashing down on her shoulder. Rebecca quickly twisted her shoulder free and held her head high as she continued walking.
    “How on earth can you walk so fast?” Maverick said as he came up beside her, struggling slightly to maintain her fast pace as they weaved through the sea of students.
    Rebecca didn’t answer him. She refused to even look at him.
    “I know you’re angry about what happened in class, but don’t you think you’re overreacting a little bit?”
    Unable to take it any longer, Rebecca suddenly stopped, causing Maverick to nearly crash right into her. She scowled up at him, trying to ignore the fact that he was the first person she’d ever met that made her feel small. “Look, I don’t know what your deal is, but I thought I was making it very obvious that I didn’t want anything to do with you.”
    “So that’s why you talked to me in class?” Maverick said with a coy smile.
    Rebecca continued to look fiercely up at Maverick, but she’d somehow lost her words. She was so angry with him, yet now she couldn’t tell if it was because of what had happened in class or because he made her feel so strangely uncomfortable. She was suddenly keenly aware of how embarrassed and self-conscious she felt, standing so close to him. She could feel her cheeks begin to flush red and her hands grow clammy as he continued to smile down at her.
    Taking a quick step back from Maverick, Rebecca narrowed her eyes as she tried to ignore the flush that had come over her. “Whatever game you’re playing at, it’s not going to work on me. Leave me alone.”
    Maverick lifted up his hands to signal innocence, “No game, I promise. I never meant to offend.” Dropping them back down, he shrugged nonchalantly, “If you ever change your mind and realize what a great guy I am, feel free to bother me during