CHAPTER 4
DELLA
Dammit, I was going to be late. I only had one class on Mondays, but it might as well have been a life sentence with the amount of sleep I got last night.
I rush down the stairs but come to a sudden halt when I see the guys working on my truck.
I tilt my head, frowning. This is the last thing I expected to see. I walk a little closer, not sure how to handle them after everything that happened.
“Morning,” I say to get their attention.
I get a rumble of ‘mornings’ in return but only Rhett and Carter stop working.
Rhett gives me a hug before his eyes travel over me. This time it’s not a perverted look, but one of concern.
“How do you feel, babe?”
I can’t help but smile at him. I get a feeling that Rhett has the softest heart buried beneath his manwhore image he’s trying to blind everyone with.
“I’m good.” I glance at my watch. “I’m going to be dead if I don’t get to class now.”
I start to turn away when Carter says, “We’re taking you.”
Stunned, I can only stare at his back as he walks to his car. It’s not the same SUV from the night before. This morning he’s driving an old mustang that looks vintage and expensive.
I glance at Rhett, wanting to make sure whether Carter is serious about taking me to class. Rhett just shrugs but at least he’s coming with, so I won’t be alone with Carter.
I don’t know what to make of Carter. He’s one hell of an enigma that I’ll never figure out. It sucks that I like him so much. I would even go as far as to admit that I have a crush on him. Not that I’m happy about it. I never thought I’d fall for someone like Carter. I don’t usually go for the strong badass type. Logan is more my type, the strong silent kind.
Carter? Hot as sin on the outside but cold as ice on the inside.
Yeah, who would’ve thought a day would come where I’d willingly subject myself to Rhett’s company. I’m just thankful I can use him as a buffer between me and Mr. Heartless.
The ride to campus is awkward. When I glance to the front, Carter’s eyes catch mine in the review mirror, so I’ve resorted to staring out the window.
“You should come this weekend,” Rhett suddenly says, breaking the thick tension in the car.
Carter scowls at him, and that only makes me curious.
“To what?” I ask even though I have plans to go back home. I visit Jamie every second weekend when I have time off from work.
“We’re having a party.”
I’m definitely not in the mood for a party with the Screw Crew. From what I know from them, there will be naked women everywhere.
“I have plans.”
“Can’t you take one night off from work?” Rhett asks.
“Oh, I’m not working this weekend.” Carter’s sharp gaze locks on mine and for some reason I feel like I have to explain. “I’m going home to see my sister.”
“You’re full of shit, Della. Everyone’s going to be at the party. It’s Friday night. You can still go visit your sister. You can also tell Evie to get her ass over there or I’m going to have to drag her there myself. You might as well come along. You chicks like to travel in packs and hold hands.”
Rhett’s right. I’ll only be leaving early Saturday morning anyway.
I can’t help but smile. “What makes you think Evie will listen to me? Besides, you’ve know her longer. Ask her yourself.”
Rhett glances at me from between the seats, widening his eyes. “Hell no, I’m in the dog house. She’ll rip my balls off if I talk to her now.”
“And you want me to ask her to a party where you’ll be?” I’m really starting to like Rhett.
“Yeah, you don’t have balls to lose. Besides, she’ll be all calmed down by the weekend.”
“Fine, only because I owe you one for last night. I’ll ask Evie, but I’m not guaranteeing anything, and I can’t stay too late.”
The campus is crazy busy and Carter has to double park.
“Rhett, drive around the parking area. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Carter says as he gets out.
“Have a good day, Rhett,” I say as I slip out.
As I walk around the front of the car, Rhett yells, “When does the class finish?”
“In two hours,” I say as I start to cross the road.
“Watch out,” Carter snaps.
His strong fingers clamp around my arm and he yanks me back. I lose my balance from the sudden jerk, and my body slams into his. My hands land on his chest and it doesn’t escape me that it feels as hard as it looks.
“Are you fucking suicidal?” he growls.
My eyes snap up to meet his. They are dark and hard. The grim line around his mouth only makes him look more gorgeous. I’m starting to hate that I find him so attractive. It’s really confusing liking someone you don’t like.
“Why do you have to be such a jerk?” I pull away from him but this time I look left and right before crossing the road.
I pick up my pace but then Carter starts to walk beside me. I glance up at him, wondering where he’s heading.
“Do you have a class?” I haven’t seen him on this side of the campus before.
“No, I’m making sure you don’t break your pretty little neck before you get to class,” he says, sounding irritated.
What a jerk!
Offended, I stop and glare daggers at him. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“You sure?” he says as he comes to stand in front of me. “It sure as hell looks like you need one.”
My eyes dance over the strong features of his face. He has a killer smoldering look and kissable lips.
No, Della! Focus. You can’t drool over his looks while you need to be angry.
“Pity you’re a heartless dick.” Only once the words are out between us, do I realize that I said them out loud.
Ugh.
With one step he closes the distance between us, his chest pressing against mine.
Oh wow. This is an overload for my hormones.
I notice some of the students are stopping to watch this little interaction between us. It doesn’t even look like Carter is noticing any of them.
I’m surrounded by his smell, his masculine woodsy scent, something natural, not spicy like most of the other guys drown themselves in.
I can feel his hard muscles pressing against my softness, every unyielding inch of Carter. Heat swirls in my stomach and pushes all the way up to my neck.
“Della,” he whispers. It sounds like a warning.
Shit. No. Don’t talk to me now, not while I’m drooling over you.
Dammit, he’s going to see how overwhelmingly aware I am of him. My plan to fly under the radar can’t backfire now. I’ve been doing such a good job of hiding my insane feelings for him the past two days.
I clear my throat and suck in a deep breath, hoping to cool myself down before he can feel the heat waves coming from my body. All I get is another lung full of Carter.
Lifting his hand, his fingers wrap around the back of my neck. The touch is electric, almost short-circuiting my brain. His thumb skims the heated skin under my ear, sending a lightening streak straight to the spot between my legs.
That’s me, I’m done for. No use in trying to hide anything anymore.
He tips my head back and I have no choice but to look into his penetrating eyes. As our eyes meet and lock, a jolt shoots through my stomach.
I’m so screwed right now.
***
CARTER
Looking down at her, I can honestly say that she aggravates the living hell out of me.
It’s not that I’m scared of a challenge. I mean, damn, I’m going to be working my ass off for the next three years, before Dad retires. It’s definitely not the challenge I’m afraid of.
She’s too beautiful, the breathtaking, heartbreaking kind. I’m becoming obsessed with this girl and I don’t like it at all.
This is fucking bullshit. She has an irritating habit of pressing all my wrong buttons. She’s constantly saying something to piss me off. I should hate her, but all I want to do is hold her.
Her skin is silky soft beneath my fingers. Her eyes are wide and totally focused on me. She looks at me in a way no one has ever looked at me.
To most, I’m a walking bank. To Dad, I’m the future of his company. To the guys, I’m a brother. To women, I’m a walking cock.
What am I to Della?
Her tongue darts out, wetting her bottom lip. My heart spasms as her lips part, and a blush creeps over her cheeks.
“Carter?” she whispers, as an uncertain look dawns over her face.
She confuses the ever-loving fuck out of me but hearing her breathe my name does something to me.
It makes me lose control of the firm grip I have on my life.
My mouth crashes against hers. Her hands shoot up and she grabs hold of my biceps. She pulls slightly away, a look of shock on her face while her lips part on a breath.
I tighten my hold around her neck and crush her mouth under mine. I bring my other arm around her and fanning my fingers over her lower back, I press her against me.
She feels so good against me. I want to hear her scream my name. Damn, I want to be buried deep inside this woman.
And I fucking hate that she’s making me feel all these unwanted emotions.
It only makes me kiss her harder. I plunge my tongue inside her mouth and our tongues continue to fight this war between us.
Her hands slip up and over my shoulders. She sucks in a breath as her fingers trail over my jaw.
Somewhere a car backfires, yanking me back to the now.
I pull away from Della, my eyes burning over her face. The blue of her eyes looks like midnight. Her lips are wet and swollen, and the look makes her fucking stunning.
She brings a trembling hand to her mouth and her eyes dart around us. It’s only then I notice the students watching us.
There’s a sinking feeling inside of me. I wasn’t supposed to kiss her.
I don’t even fucking like her.
I glare down at her. “Taste like shit,” I spit the words out.
Shock washes over her features as her eyes well up with unshed tears.
I walk away from her, not waiting to see what damage my words are causing. The more she hates me, the better. I don’t need her sniffing around me.
I’m Carter Hayes. I’m fucking heartless. I don’t care about the beautiful blue-eyed girl behind me. I don’t want her. She means nothing to me. Besides, all I know of women is that they’re quick to run, just like my mother did. None of them ever stick around.
I’m almost done with my MBA degree, then I’ll take over as CEO of the largest publishing house in the New York. I can’t let Dad down. He’s sacrificed so much for me, letting me study away from home so I could be with my friends. The last heart attack almost took him from me. It’s time for him to retire. I don’t want him dying in that office.