Page 10 of Stay
I can almost feel the heat of them moving over me, singeing me in the process. Even though the morning air has a slight chill to it, I’m starting to feel hot all over.
“What did you say your name was again?”
A smile spreads slyly across my face. “I didn’t, and because I don’t want to encourage someone who I might have to take out a restraining order against, I’m not giving it to you either.” Rather pointedly, I glance down at the phone in my hand. “Not that this conversation isn’t scintillating, but I need to get going or I’ll be late for my nine o’clock.”
“Seeing as we’re both heading the same way, I’ll join you,” he says smugly.
I groan.
Loudly.
Being coy has never been one of my fortes.
“No, that’s okay. I’m in a hurry.” I give him a bit of side-eye to see if he’s gotten the hint that I’m not interested in him or his company.
If the grin gracing his lips is any indication, he hasn’t. Or he just doesn’t care. I’m going with the wholedoesn’t caretheory.
Have I mentioned how aggravating I find this guy?
My feet grind to a halt as I glare at him.
He’s tanking my morning mojo. Maybe if I make him uncomfortable enough, it’ll penetrate his thick skull that I’m not interested.
He stops before eyeing me quizzically. After a few silent moments slide by he asks, “Are we going to stand around all day or head to class? ’Cuz I’m up for either.”
Grrrr.
“Fine,” I huff, figuring I’ll only have to walk with him for a block or so before we go our separate ways. If I’m lucky, I’ll never lay eyes on him again.
Thank god I don’t know his name. It’ll hopefully make forgetting him that much easier. I won’t be able to put a name to that gorgeous face.
I internally wince at my own unfiltered thoughts.
Because I still think he’s beautiful.
Ridiculously so.
And that’s really saying something with the harsh morning sunlight pouring down on us. Anyone can look like a ten in dim party lighting. Somehow this guy manages to pull off being an eleven in bright sunlight at nine in the morning. And it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that he just rolled out of bed looking like that either. The way the sun highlights all the different shades of mahogany color in his hair has something hot arrowing straight down to my core.
For the love of god and all that’s holy, I still want to drag my traitorous fingers through his hair. I want to muss it up even more than it already is. He has one of those artfully messy hairstyles that not many guys can pull off so effortlessly. I, on the other hand, feel as if I’ve barely scraped myself together with a high ponytail and a scarf…
I seriously need to get away from this guy before I do something completely crazy and actually start to like him.
His deep voice breaks into the chaotic whirl of my thoughts. “So, where you headed?”
I sigh, reluctant to give him any more info than he’s already been able to gather. I don’t want whatever this is between us to become a habit.
“Psychology.”
“Huh.” A smile spreads across his face. “201?” He looks way too happy as he poses the question. It only shreds the last of my frayed nerves.
My guarded gaze swings to his as we continue walking. “That’s right.”
His grin broadens, and those damnable dimples flash and wink. “What a coincidence. Me, too.”
Perfect.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to sit next to each other, does it?
