Chapter 4

Lily

Alex’s blue eyes drew me in as he questioned how he knew me. I couldn’t believe that he didn’t recognize me, but why would a first-year student even appear on his radar? I tried to lead him into how he knew me, but I couldn’t hide the fact that I did know him. Did I appear too eager and desperate for him? I tried to move away from him, but I could barely breathe with his arm so close to my body. The heat radiating off of him in waves warmed my insides.

His chest was toned, and not an inch of fat marred his perfect body. Those little cat ears mixed with his physique made him look like a lion ready for the kill. Was I his prey? Admittedly, I didn’t mind.

A sharp pain cut through my hand and I looked down, not realizing I’d dug my fingernails into my palms. Could he tell how nervous I was? He probably thought I looked ridiculous in this outfit, though I noticed his eyes wandering down my lab coat. As much as my brain wanted me to cover up and run away, traitorous tingles danced across my skin. Never in a million years did I think that I’d speak to Alex never mind sit on his lap with him looking as if I was his next meal. The sensation was strange yet amazing at the same time.

“You’re the girl who sits in the front of the class?” he asked. “The one who gets all the high grades on the tests?”

My cheeks burned. There went my attempt at being likable by this hunk. Now I was back to being the nerd everyone thought I was.

“I do okay,” I said. “I’m Lily.”

“Alex,” he said as if anyone didn’t know him. “You’re a freshman? How did you get into a senior level class?”

I swallowed. I didn’t want to lie but telling him the truth would definitely make him think I was a bigger nerd. But I wasn’t one to lie. His blue eyes pierced through me, forcing me to open my mouth and reveal everything about myself. “Technically I’m a sophomore.”

His head cocked to the side. “Really?”

I dropped my gaze to my hands clasped in my lap. “I had enough credits to jump a class. So this is my first year, but I’ll graduate in three instead of four.”

I cringed on the inside, fully expecting him to make an excuse to leave. This was a party, not an interview. Studying all the time, I was really out of practice on how to communicate with people.

“That’s interesting,” he said. “I know you do well. Professor Tarrington always seems pleased when he hands back your work.”

“Well, math comes easily to me,” I said, digging my nerd hole deeper.

“What’s your average in the class?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

My toes curled in my too-tight heels. “I’m averaging an A.”

“That’s awesome,” he said.

“Is it?”

“Sure,” he said.

“Thanks,” I said, still waiting for the ball to drop.

“Can I ask you something?” he said, taking my hand in his.

I tried to keep my eyes on his and not our intertwined hands. “Sure.”

“Would you be willing to tutor me?”

A weight settled in my stomach before exploding into an uncontrollable fluttering sensation. “You want me to help you in Cost Accounting?”

He cleared his throat. “Yeah. I’m failing, and I need your help. You obviously understand the curriculum.”

My jaw dropped. Did the sexiest guy on the planet really just ask me to tutor him in accounting? Meaning I would see him outside of class on a regular basis?

A choked sound escaped my lips, my mouth unable to form words.

They didn’t have to.

Alex leaned forward and covered my mouth with his. His hand reached out, cupping my cheek as his wet lips moved over mine. He tasted like beer. Normally, I wasn’t a fan of the drink, but tonight I absolutely was. His tongue snaked into my mouth, and my insides bloomed with pleasure.

When he pulled away from our too-short kiss, my eyes fluttered open.

He stroked a chunk of my hair, eliciting another wave of pleasure that cascaded from my head all the way down to the tips of my toes. “Please? I really need to pass this class.”

“Okay,” I whispered, feeling as if we were the only two people in the world. Did everyone have this feeling after their first official kiss? How could I say no to him after that?

The moment passed quickly, and before I knew it, the sounds of the party around us came back in full force. The deafening sound of the music hurt my ears, and the flickering lights from the DJ booth made my eyes water.

“Awesome,” he said, grinning. His teeth were so white and perfectly straight.

My gaze traveled back to his, and before I could take another breath, his lips were on mine again. That kiss was shorter, a peck almost, but definitely still as sweet as the first.

My entire world shifted, and I realized he stood up, holding me against him. He was muscular, but I didn’t know how strong he was. He held my weight as if I were nothing.

He held my waist and placed me on my wobbly legs. My knees were weak, practically jelly at that point. I could have blamed me sitting for so long, but I knew it was because of that mind-blowing kiss. No wonder I always saw everyone making out in the quad and other random places on campus, it felt amazing and opened up a part of me I never knew was hidden. I licked my lips, needing to taste more of him.

Wordlessly, he took my hand and tugged me alongside him. Was he going to take me up to his room to kiss me in a more private place? Was I ready for that? He was an experienced president of a fraternity, was I ready to take it to the next level? My nerves got the best of me and as I was about to tell him that when he spoke.

“You should go home,” he said. “You don’t belong here.”

My mouth dried up, the lingering taste of him turned sour on my tongue. “What?”

“I want you to go,” he said.

A painful tightness wrapped around my throat like someone was choking me. “I need to stay with my friend.”

What was going on here? First, he was kissing me and asking me to be his tutor, now he wanted me to leave? Was I that bad of a kisser?

“Who is your friend?” he asked, halting in his place.

“She’s the nurse,” I said, scanning the area. Amber was on the dance floor, grinding her butt against some guy’s crotch.

A sharp whistle caught my attention, and I whirled around as Alex flagged down two of the shirtless guys with ‘AKA’ written on their chests. They scurried over like servants.

“Get that girl over here,” Alex said to them, pointing in Amber’s direction. “The nurse.”

They sprinted over to Amber.

Heat whipped through my body, emanating from Alex’s hand still clasped with mine.

Amber’s surprised expression made my chest hurt. I did something wrong and now the both of us were getting kicked out of the party. Amber would never forgive me for this.

The two frat guys brought her over to me. Her eyes searched mine for an answer that I couldn’t wrap my words around.

Alex let go of my hand and grabbed my arm instead. His grip wasn’t tight enough to hurt, but he meant business. Heat flashed behind my eyes as he and the other two led us through the house and out the front door.

When we were in the front yard, he finally let go of me and stared me down. “Go back to the dorm. Now.”

And with that, he turned and headed back inside.

I wrapped my arms around my suddenly chilled body.

“What was that all about?” Amber asked. “Weren’t you just making out with him?”

My stomach rolled as I watched Alex’s body disappear in the throng of people inside the frat house. Where I had been warm before, I felt as if a dark, snowy cloud had appeared over my head, chilling me to the bone.

I turned on my heel, not wanting Alex to see how upset I was if he changed his mind and raced after me. Who was I kidding? He wouldn’t come after me. This wasn’t a movie where the senior guy fell for a lowly first-year.

All the way home, Amber questioned me about what happened. There were no words to explain.

Eventually, she stopped asking. I was sure the frown shaping my lips helped her understand that I had no idea either. I knew she probably thought that I said something wrong and let it go. Though she wasn’t as upset as I thought she’d be. For the remainder of the time, she told me that she got a few numbers from the frat brothers and hoped that there would be another invite to their parties.

Deep down, I knew she was trying to make me feel better, but I couldn’t help feeling hurt about what had happened. How was I going to face him in class next week?