Page 12 of His Stubborn Girl

“Yes, I know. I’ve seen all the pictures.” She shakes her head and opens the door. “Thanks for the ride.” The door slams shut, and I slam my fists on the steering wheel. Things are so fucked up between us. This is not us. This is not how we used to be. We never fight. We’ve always been close. But the guilt and attraction are creating this toxic tension, and I can’t control it.

I put my truck in reverse, giving one last look at the door, wanting to make sure she gets inside safe before I leave. The door opens right as she reaches for it and three guys exit her building, stopping when they get one look at her. They all turn on their charming smiles, giving her a thorough once-over, and my fists clench my steering wheel. They need to stick their tongues back into their mouths, because those frat boys are not going to lay one finger on her. I shut my truck off and climb out, stalking up slowly, listening to them introduce themselves.

“I’m Torrin.” Her sweet voice trickles over me, causing a shiver under this humid night. “I’m on the fourth floor.” My fists clench tighter by my sides. She shouldn’t go around telling them where she lives. Now they’re going to be harassing her day and night.

“What room are you in? We’ll have to come up and say hi.” No fucking way. These little punks will be knocking down her door at three o’clock in the morning, doing everything they can to get her to give up that sweet cherry.

I step up to her back, wrapping my arm around her waist, glaring each one down slowly.

“It’s good to know my Torre has such great neighbors.” Their confidence shrinks when they see me, having to tilt their heads back. I’m not only taller, but I’m double their size in strength. And if they try to lay one finger on her, I’ll hurt them. “Now, if you’ll excuse us… You’re blocking the door.”

They quickly nod, shuffling out of our way. I hold the door open for Torre, bracing my hand at her lower back as I usher her inside, away from the little piranha. I give one last warning glare over my shoulder and see that my message has been received. They scurry off and I’m pretty confident they won’t be sniffing her way again.

“What the hell was that, Luke?” Torre shrugs out of my hold as soon as the door closes behind us. “They were just saying hi. It wasn’t like they were trying to fuck me.”

“Are you really that naïve, Torre? Every guy wants to fuck you.” Including her brother, which just goes to show how tempting she is. “All I did was say that it was nice that you have such friendly neighbors.”

She rolls her eyes. “It was the way you said it. They all looked like they wanted to shit themselves.” I can’t help it if they’re spineless. Just goes to show they’re not worthy of her attention. “If you don’t quit, you’re going to kill my reputation in this place and make sure I die a virgin.”

Fuck, that word is trouble. I’d be happy to ensure that doesn’t happen. All those pathetic kids who couldn’t get her off… I’d put them to shame.

“What do you want, Luke? Don’t you need to get back to your busy life?”

“I want to see my sister’s dorm room. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She shrugs, not sounding too happy about it. “But Sophie should be back, so let me make sure she’s okay with you coming in.”

She heads up the stairs and I follow behind, seeing all the guys she passes taking notice. They give her a smile until they see me. Then those smiles turn down. They think I’m her boyfriend, and I can’t say I’m too upset over the fact. I want them to think she’s off-limits and to leave her alone. If thinking she’s mine does the trick, so be it.

“Knock, knock!” She taps on her door. “Sophie, it’s Torre. Are you decent?”

“Yeah, you can come in!”

“My brother wanted to see the place. Is it okay if I bring him in?”

“Of course!”

Torre opens the door and her roommate’s eyes grow wide as she looks up, taking in my size. I’m used to the reaction. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve watched girls tip their heads back while their cheeks turn bright pink. Their eyes growing all warm, but Sophie’s just glow in shock, which makes me like her already.

“Hey! I’m Lukas.” I step forward, holding out my hand to her.

She nervously shakes it. “You’re really tall.”

I chuckle at her candid remark. “Six and a half feet, and still growing,” I tease.

“So, what do you think of the place?” Torre asks, sounding annoyed. She’s irritated that I’m still here and itching to get rid of me.

“It’s bigger than I expected.” I can see why she chose this building because the girls’ dorm has rooms half this size. But I still don’t like that she’ll be living amongst all those horny runts. “You even have a little seating area. It’s nice.” I definitely like the fact that she has her own bathroom and won’t be walking down the hall in her pajamas, or knowing Torre, in a bath towel.

“Oh!” Sophie says. “I ran into the RA, and he said that we could hang shelves if we wanted to. He even offered to help.”I bet he did. I definitely don’t like the fact that the one in charge has a dick between his legs and probably a mission to win the favor of all the girls on this floor. Why else would an upperclassman choose to live in the dorms?

“I can help you,” I offer. “Just let me know when you get the shelves, and I’ll put them up for you.”

“Oh, thanks.” Sophie smiles, but my sister doesn’t look so keen on me doing it.

“You’re welcome.” I smile, turning to the annoyed one whose glare is making my dick hard. “And I also want to teach you how to use the pepper spray.”

She rolls her eyes again, but I’m not kidding. I don’t like the predatorial looks any of those guys were giving her. And I don’t like knowing that the one with a master key to the room is a male.

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