Page 63 of The Girlfriend Goal
Lance:For real though, if you actually need to study, I can help. No funny business.
"I can't do this," I said, but my fingers were already typing a response.
Me:Fine. Library in 20. Actual studying.
"You're going to meet him, aren't you?" Jared asked knowingly.
"To study!"
"Sure." He slid off my bed, heading for the door. "Just do me a favor? Stop pretending this is just physical. It's exhausting watching you lie to yourself."
After he left, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying to see what Jared claimed was so obvious. I looked the same as always—determined, focused, maybe a little tired from late nights that had nothing to do with studying. There was no visible sign that I was falling for Lance Fletcher.
Except for the way my heart raced when I saw him walking toward me in the library twenty minutes later, backpack slung over one shoulder and that crooked smile that made my insides melt. Except for how naturally he touched my ass, guiding me to a quiet corner table. Except for the way he actually had brought his sports psychology materials, genuinely prepared to help me study.
"You look surprised," he said, unpacking his notes.
"You actually brought your homework."
"I said I would." He looked almost hurt. "I do occasionally follow through on promises that don't involve getting you naked."
"Lance!"
"What? No one's around." He grinned, but then his expression softened. "Besides, I figured you actually do need to study. Your internship apps are due soon, right?"
The fact that he'd remembered made something squeeze in my chest. "Next week."
"Seattle's still your top choice?"
I nodded, trying to ignore how his face fell slightly. "It's an incredible opportunity. Working with a WNBA team would be—"
"Your dream, I know," he finished. "You'll get it. They'd be idiots not to want you."
The sincerity in his voice made it hard to breathe. This was exactly why I needed rules, boundaries, walls between us. Because when he looked at me like that, like he genuinely believed I could conquer the world, I wanted things I'd promised myself I wouldn't want again.
"We should study," I said weakly.
We actually managed a solid hour of work before his foot found mine under the table. Such a simple touch shouldn't have affected me, but my concentration shattered. I looked up to find him watching me, and there was heat in his eyes.
"Lance," I warned.
"I'm not doing anything." But his foot slid higher, along my calf. "Just sitting here, studying."
"This is exactly why we can't study together."
"I'm being perfectly behaved," he protested, even as his hand found mine on the table, thumb tracing circles on my wrist. "You're the one looking at me like that. Like you're thinking about that thing you do to my cock that makes me forget my own name."
Heat flooded my face. "I do not have a look."
"You absolutely have a look." He leaned closer, voice dropping. "It's the same look you had right before you jumped me in the equipment room."
"I did not jump you!"
"Oh, you definitely did. Not that I'm complaining." His grin turned wicked. "Feel free to jump me anytime."
"We're in the library," I hissed, but I was already packing up my materials.
"My room's closer," he said immediately, shoving his own books into his bag with zero regard for organization.
