Page 45 of Chasing Xander
Finn stepped into the room and leaned against the wall. “Did you talk to Kylie?”
“Yeah.” He flung a notebook onto the floor, looking for his Business Ethics paper he’d written. The assignment was due today, and if he didn’t turn it in, he’d get a failing grade—which meant both his father and Brad would be on his case again.
“And?”
“I canceled our date for tonight.” He found his paper and shoved it inside his textbook. “Told her I had something to do with you.” He headed for the door, patted Finn’s shoulder, and grinned. “You don’t mind covering for me, right?”
Finn rolled his eyes. “Don’t be a coward. Face her. Give her a chance.”
“Thanks for the advice, Dr. Phil.” He shook his head and left his room. What the hell did Finn know about anything?
Xander raced across campus toward Milton Hall when he saw Kylie coming out of the English building. He stopped, knowing he really didn’t have the time, but he couldn’t help himself. “Hey! Kylie!” He waved.
She hesitated for a moment, then walked toward him. “Hey.” She averted her gaze as if she were suddenly shy and didn’t know how to act around him.
“I’m really sorry about tonight,” he blurted, desperate to make things right with her. “I have class now, but after we can go grab coffee if you want.”
“I don’t drink coffee.”
“Yes, you do. You drank coffee at the Dive.”
She gave him the faintest hint of a smile. “Yeah, well, that was then. I’ve decided to quit.”
“You’re quitting coffee?” He grinned.
She nodded. “It will stunt my growth.”
God, she was adorable in the sexiest way. He chuckled. “Okay, so I’ll get coffee, and you can get whatever you want. Tea. Water. Soda. Liquor.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, then mentally kicked himself.
“It’s a tempting offer, but I have a study group after my next class.”
“For Professor Jamison’s class?” He had forgotten about that study group, but considering this was his second time taking the class, he really should be in that group. And now that he knew she was going to be there, he had a hell of a lot more incentive to attend.
“Yeah, that’s the one.” She adjusted the strap of her backpack on her shoulder.
“Then I’ll see you there.”
“You will?”
He nodded. “Don’t look so shocked. I do study, you know.”
“Like, with actual books and stuff?”
“Ha ha. Funny.” He reached for her hand and was pleased when she didn’t pull away. He stroked her knuckles with his thumb, wishing he could pull her into his arms, show her how she made him feel. Simply touching her hand ignited his body with need.
His gaze fell to where their hands were interlocked. The image of their bodies tangling like their hands flashed through his mind, and he suppressed a shudder. He had to keep reminding himself that she was a virgin. But how pure was she? Oh God. That morning wasn’t her first real kiss, was it? His forehead broke out in a cold sweat, and he took a shaky breath.
She gave his hand a squeeze. “If you actually show up at the study group, I’ll have coffee waiting for you.” She pulled her hand from his, letting her fingers linger for a bit before dropping her arm to her side. She turned and headed in the opposite direction.
He tilted his head and appreciated the view of her walking away, the way her jeans hugged her ass with each step she took. He licked his lips.
“Oh”—she stopped and glanced back at him—“and I’ll be there waiting for you, too.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and continued walking.
He exhaled loudly. Well, so much for taking things slow.
Chapter Fifteen
Study group started and ended with no sight of Xander. The coffee Kylie bought for him had gone cold. As she tucked her books into her backpack, she wondered what had happened. Did he forget? Had something come up that prevented him from showing up? Or was he trying to avoid her?
