Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

He actually hated her that much? But why?

Sandy blinked, distracted, and pressed Shane, "So what happened after that?"

"Aren't you going to ask what happened in the restroom on campus that night?" His dark eyes mocked her.

Sandy's cheeks flushed. If what he said was true, she really had dragged him down with her all those years ago-shameless.

How could she have dared?

She gripped the comforter tight, her body shivering with embarrassment under the feather duvet.

"So..." She bit her lip, looking away, "Why didn't you just push me away back then?"

Shane let out a bitter laugh, Adam's apple bobbing. "Didn't I say I tried? But you undid my belt, and when you came up to me like that-how was I supposed to resist? I was twenty-three, and you a wild little brat-had me wrapped around your finger. I kept thinking, what kind of girl is the princess of the Sheldon family? Hell, I was even worried you'd given me something!"

"What-what did you think I was?!"

bear to remember her younger self, but she still bristled at his insult. "Shane, you can't understand what it was like, growing up being bullied by Florence and Sienna. I was nineteen, maybe I wasn't thinking straight. Didn't

taken something, that you were about to lose it, and you threw yourself at me like that... I wouldn't have gone along with it. But don't act innocent now. The truth is, after all

cold as steel. Sandy shrank

was invited

guest, had my reputation to think about. That night, I just

happened-do you remember of

You

But when my guard was down, about to sneak you out of campus, you deliberately exposed yourself when Florence and everyone doubled back! You made sure they saw

he

the blanket tighter and shrank back, mortified. "Did

you did.

tried to set you up, but you turned the tables and used me as your shield-using my name to make her choke on her own scheme. And with all

well... everyone got

Florence's