Page 11 of Love Starves

"Real funny," I tell them with false attitude and add, "It just had to be werewolves. Whatever. I'm going to read it, but if I don't make it to the meeting, you’ll know I've offed myself. Text me the deets just in case. Been a pleasure, peeps, but I've got to run."

I've got to get the hell out of here before I decide that I actually like these book club babes and their snarky little clap backs. Jolene announces that she'll be texting out her address for the next meeting right before I hightail it out of the café. Back in my car, I suck in a sharp breath and let it out slowly. I don't care what they thought of me leaving so soon. The meeting was practically over anyway. As I think it, though, I do feel a small ounce of humility for being such a bitch the whole time. Not because I'm worried about what any of them think about me as the representative of the Clemonte name, but rather how my defense mechanism of holding people at arm’s length might be taken as me just being a bully and thinking I'm better than they are. No attachments allowed in any sense of the word, but that doesn't mean I have to drop the group simply because I actually like them. And yeah, let's get real, after this one meeting, I do. Which means I'll have to read that stupid wolf book in the next two weeks. With that disgusting reminder, I start the car and head for home.

I surprised myself last night by not calling any of the guys for a hookup like I'd originally planned for after the meeting. Choosing rather to start reading the shitty werewolf story that got picked. Not only was it lame, but it unfortunately, was also a page turner. Which means, by the time I finished reading the damn thing, it was already after three o'clock in the morning. With my mind still stuck in the book, I laid in misery for the next hour before I could even fall asleep. Mixed emotions warring each other for dominance the entire time. I was irritated the book had ended on a cliffhanger because no way was I voluntarily picking up the next one. Anger, which never seems to completely disappear in my case, fought back hard because as much as I'd hate to admit it, the book wasn't a total trasher. What won out was horniness. I'd had to locate batteries for my little bullet to get myself off since no way was I calling anyone over after that. I'd have probably imagined they were a fucking werewolf or some stupid shit while we were fucking and freaked the hell out. Where the storyline lacked a bit of plot, the steam made up for in bullet loads.

I wholeheartedly blame it for the reason why I now sit in my Sociology class with another romance novel already downloaded and a quarter of the way read while I wait on the class to fill up. Oblivious to my surroundings, I don't notice anyone has taken the seat behind me until there's a soft tap on my shoulder. I jerk away from the contact as my gaze lifts to Nick's across the room. He looks good today standing there in a plain, grey t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans that hug his legs and ass. As I watch, he runs his fingers through his dark-brown hair that's layered around his face. Something out his air of superiority has always drawn me in. Yet another one of the guys I know next to nothing about, but if I had to guess, I'd say he came from wealth at one point. Those hazel-colored eyes fall to whoever sits at my back now tapping it again then back to mine in question. With one nod, I can have him over here. But that would be stupid for someone who relies on no one but themselves and has no real relationships. Right? It'd be like taking advantage of a stranger. Only one whose dick has been inside of you.

Giving the slightest of head shakes is my reply. He dips his chin as he looks away and moves to claim a seat in the middle of the room. By the time I'm looking over my shoulder to see what the person behind me wants, I'm mad. That's why when I see Ryan's hand lifted like he'd planned on tapping me for a third time, I snap, "What?"

Both of his palms fly up defensively. "Sorry, just wanted to say fancy meeting you here. Remember me?"

"How could I forget?" I snip at him. "That one guy who always invites himself to the party is kind of hard to forget."

A smile tugs on his lips as he presses a hand to his chest in mock hurt. "Ouch. Anyone ever tell you that you've got the sensitivity of a feral cat?"

That makes me snort softly and his grin gets wider, obviously loving that he finally got some kind of reaction other than hostility. He motions toward my phone without actually looking at it. "So, which do you prefer? Paperback or ebook? I've heard rumors about that question being the reason behind many arguments and fights."

His humor is terrible and makes me want to stuff cotton balls in my ears to drown him out, but it's as though he's nervous rambling, making it quite endearing as well. Laying my phone down, I spin in my seat until I'm sitting sideways in it. Out of my peripheral, I notice Nick doing his best not to stare at the two of us, and it sends a nervous jolt down my spine. Whatever he's witness to in this class, could find it's way back to Giovanni. However, I'm a Clemonte and answer to no one. Especially dudes I'm merely fucking.

Ryan's eyes light up as he realizes he's got my attention, and I take advantage, seeing what he's worth. "A word read from either source is still just a word, yeah? What does it matter what format it's in?"

Another half-smile pops up on his face as he says, "I’m typically more of a graphic novel guy myself, but on occasion, I do pick up an actual book. I like to be able to hold it in my hands."

Picking up my phone from where it lays, I hold it flat out as one of my eyebrows jerks up pressuring him to argue with that. I'm not expecting him to reach out to take it from me. What's even more surprising is that I don't move to stop him. The left side of my face burns, making me acutely aware of Nick's eyes still on the two of us. This shit is for sure getting back to Giovanni, which pokes my anger like a balloon with a sharp stick.

I stop Ryan from scrolling through my library of books as I tell him, "Since you've got it in your hand already, why don't you put your number in for me?"

He doesn't hesitate and does it so fast that makes me wonder if he'd planned on doing it before my instruction either way. Cut off from whatever he's opened his mouth to say as the professor walks into the room introducing himself, Ryan hands the phone back with a charming smile. Of their own accord, my eyes flick up to Nick. There's a slight pinkness to his cheeks, exposing his awkwardness at having been witness and refusing to look away. His phone lays unlocked face-up on his desk but he doesn't touch it. I get a wink with a quick flash of white teeth as he smiles before he turns his attention to the front of the room.

I swivel my body back around straight, but don't actually hear a word the professor says the entire class. My mind is fractured into several different pieces all branching out in opposite directions. If it hadn't been for the book club, I wouldn't have been caught reading for the second day in a row by Ryan. If he wouldn't have been in this class, Nick likely would've sat closer and not lit a fire underneath my skin with wanting him. Who am I kidding? Of course, he would've. He's an incorrigible flirt, and we're way overdue for a good fuck. It's why I choose not to look at him again until we're being dismissed. I can't guarantee I wouldn't have made a scene begging him to take me somewhere.

The room is starting to clear out, nevertheless, besides standing with his notebook in hand, Nick doesn't move to leave. He's waiting on me I'm sure of it. Ryan steps between us, facing me.

"So, I've got about two hours to kill before my next class," he says, tucking his hands in his pockets and rocking back on his heels. "Want to join me for an early lunch?"

I should say no, and my mouth even opens up to do so. However, seeing Nick's profile out of the corner of my eye and knowing all of this is going right back to Giovanni, I dip my chin in a short nod instead. Maybe whatever Nick makes of this and tattles back to the group will be a swift reminder that we've got rules. Something all of us seem to be forgetting lately. Besides, a date with Ryan wouldn't necessarily be a form of punishment anyway. There's something quite charming about him that I can't, and am choosing not to, put my finger on.

Stacking my things, I tuck them against my chest before standing. With Ryan yet to have moved, we end up close and personal in each other's space.

"Want me to carry that for you?" he offers with a palm face-up between us.

"No thanks," I reply, spinning to leave, but not without a quick flip of hair over my shoulder. Hoping my ulterior motives are hidden as my gaze searches for a certain dark-haired man and coming up empty, I let it wander to the near stranger at my back and receive a warm smile in return. I can't be totally sure he wasn't just checking out my ass, which is quite flattering considering it's not as full as it might've been at one point or another.

As we make it out into the hall, he pushes past to take the lead, spinning on his heel when he's a few steps ahead to walk backwards. "Are you in the mood for anything specific, because I actually know this really nice place that I haven't been to in a while."

Knowing good and damn well there's a chance I probably won't eat much anyway no matter where we go, I shrug. "Doesn't matter to me. We can do whatever." The last word out of my mouth gets drawn out on the end as I have to reach out to clench my fist in the front of his shirt and pull him to a stop. Lucky bastard better be glad I did, too. He'd have toppled over a cart of glass fucking beakers a professor is wheeling into his room.

Ryan hastily jerks toward me and turns with an apology ready on his lips. The professor narrows his eyes at him like he's being a super-naughty little boy that's about to be stood in the corner or have to write lines in his classroom. I have to suck my lips between my teeth and look away to keep the chuckle trying to bubble it's way up out of my chest down. A hazel-colored gaze across the hall locks mine into place. The question lies there between us as well as if he'd spoken it aloud. Every single one of Giovanni's men know the stakes. They're aware ofmyside of the bargain for which Giovanni made me promise. No other men in my bed. Arching my perfectly sculpted left brow at him, I dare him to confront me about it. With my defense at the ready, I'll take him on right here and now. Dates with others wasn't a deal breaking stipulation. He lets me pass without so much of a whisper. Even if for a moment as I pass him, I could swear I see his phone angle into position to snap a photo. I'm half-ass tempted to shoot him a fucking smile to make sure he's got a one in for them.

As we make it out to the parking lot, Ryan follows me all the way to my car. He taps lightly on the hood with a soft whistle under his breath. "Nice car. You some kind of secret government agent, super spy or something?"

"Of all things, that's the best you can come up with?" I retort, rolling my eyes before I toss my books in the backseat.

His smile is coy like I've set him up for some punchline, but whatever it is, he doesn't share. "So, should I hop in my car, text you the address, and meet you over there, or I could always ride with you?"

I give him the same brow raise that Nick received. "Has anyone ever told you that you're quite pushy?"

I didn't think it was possible, but his grin gets even wider than before as he answers, "More often than you'd think, actually. Of course, Mama always said it was one of my best traits, because I don't give up on what I want even if there's a setback or two."

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