After that small episode, Juniper''s life fell into a simple, predictable rhythm: school, the dining hall, and home.


    asionally, when Shanley wanted a home-cooked meal at his family''s estate, he would coax and wheedle until she agreed toe with him. His excuse: he didn''t deserve to eat if he went home alone.


    "You poor thing, Mr. Schwartz," Juniper joked from her seat in the car, legs crossed as she yed a game on her phone.


    "I know, right?" Shanley leaned over to look at her screen, seizing the opportunity to steal a quick kiss on her cheek. He sounded aggrieved. "I was thinking of secretly getting a DNA test, but then I saw a photo of my dad and me..."


    "?" Juniper''s gaze shifted from her phone to Shanley''s face.


    "I gave up," Shanley continued, a smile ying on his lips. "I look exactly like he did when he was young."


    "Oh." Juniper knew it was ame joke, but she let out a small, involuntaryugh anyway.


    "Happy now?" Seeing her eyes crinkle, Shanley couldn''t resist tilting her chin up. "Enjoying yourself?" he asked fondly.


    "It''s alright." Juniper put down her phone and mimicked his earlier action, yfully poking his Adam''s apple.


    "Don''t move." His fingers quickly closed around hers, his eyes darkening. A slight, dangerous curve formed on his lips. "Or you''ll have to face the consequences."


    "?" Juniper blinked, not understanding what he meant. He was hers, wasn''t he? What part of him was off-limits? She was going to touch him anyway.


    Defiantly, Juniper poked him a few more times. It wasn''t until she noticed a... distinct change in the area just below his belt buckle that she understood. Paired with the deep, intense look in his eyes and the way his breathing had quickened...


    Oh. Realization dawned, and Juniper snatched her hand back, sliding discreetly to the far corner of the seat. Squeezing her eyes shut, she yed dead. "So tired... sleepy now."


    "Juniper..." Shanley gently touched her hand, his warm breath fanning across her ear. His voice was like a siren''s call, practically dripping with seduction.


    Juniper heard him but kept her eyes closed.


    "Sweetheart..." Shanley leaned in closer, his hands settling on her waist, his nose almost brushing against hers.


    "I said I''m tired, don''t touch me!" Juniper yelped, her volume betraying her panic. "This is your problem, it has nothing to do with me!"


    "I don''t want to touch you either, but-" Shanley lowered his head, chuckled for a few seconds, then tilted his chin towards the windo "We''re home," he said, his voice husky. "And my grandmothe and mother are waiting outside.


    "?" Juniper''s eyes flew open. Sure enough, she saw Hannah and Miranda standing outside the car window, waving happily at her.


    Juniper rubbed her nose, feeling her cheeks heat up as she let out a small "oh."


    Then she allowed Shanley to lead her out of the car. On the way, Juniper couldn''t resist a quick, downward nce at Shanley''s pants: Thankfully, his long trench coat concealed any... irregrities.


    "What are you looking at?" Shanley noticed her gaze and deliberately leaned closer to ask.


    "Shut up." Out of Hannah and Miranda''s sight, Juniper shot him a fierce re. "Keep your ''thing'' under control," she threatened.


    "What thing?" Seeing her face flush crimson, Shanley grew bolder, his teasing smile widening.


    Juniper stopped abruptly, her round eyes widening as she stared at him, looking like a little wildcat about to unsheathe her ws.


    "What''s wrong?" Hannah and Miranda paused, their voicesced with confusion.


    "Nothing." Juniper shook her head,


    pulled her hand from Shanley''s.


    grasp, d


    hurried t to Hannah''s side;


    "Let me help you," she said softly.


    "Oh, wonderful, wonderful." Hannah was so delighted she couldn''t stop smiling,


    praising Juniper for being so thoughtful.