Enraptured(4)

I nodded sharply and bit back my tears. Oh, holy hell I was mad, but there was nothing I could do. She was my Professor and I was in no position to tell her how it was. She obviously expected more from me and since I was the one who set the standards it was my job to maintain them.

"Have a nice evening, Professor Carl." I spoke through a shaky tone and she nodded. Clearly, she was oblivious to the way she'd made me feel. But then again it wasn't her job to respond to my feelings. Actually, it wasn't even in her realm of responsibility to push for the high grades she knew I was capable of - it was her job to teach. That was it.

"You as well, Miss. Grayson."

I turned my back to her and fled for the exit. I could feel her beady eyes on my back as I moved and when I finally stepped into the hall and out of her sight, I released a pent-up breath from my lungs. Another glance down at my watch told me I had less than a half hour to get my butt across the university campus to my car and then to work. I was cutting it short and had no choice but to start running.

If it weren't for the early morning gym visits I accompanied Dee to I would have been a panting mess by the time I hit the parking lot. Thankfully my non-refundable gym membership was good for a year or I would never get to go anywhere but school, home and work. My once active life was quickly spiraling into an abyss of boringness and I was helpless to stop it.

I made a sharp left between two cars and spotted my white Mazda CX-5 and my heart leapt. Thankfully it was one of the things my parents actually paid off - because there was no way I could swing another bill and I did not want to get rid of Mazzy. It was the last thing my father purchased for me. He'd been so proud of himself and even more excited than I was. There was no way I was giving up Mazzy. I loved Mazzy.

My eyes misted as I thought of my parents and I shook the thought from my mind. I didn't have time for tears. I was almost at my car. That meant I was almost at work and I wouldn't get docked a half-hour again for my tardiness. I really needed that pay I thought to myself as I lunged toward my car. I was completely oblivious to my surroundings as I ran into something large, hard and tall.

"Oomph," A burst of air tumbled from my lips as my books dove into my stomach before I dropped them to the pavement and not a moment later, my feet clambered from beneath me and I knew I was moments away from kissing the asphalt.

"I've got ya, Angel." A deep voice sounded as an intricately colored arm slipped around my stomach just in time to catch me before I nose-dived for the ground. The arm pulled me easily against his hard body and I stiffened as my senses surged on high alert.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled as I lifted my hands and pressed them flat against his chest. My heart raced when I pushed against him and he didn't move an inch. He was holding me in place against him. "You can let go now." I started to push against him again and a chuckle sounded above me. Instantly, my eyes darted up to glare at him. I froze. The world shifted as the deepest blue eyes I had ever seen stared down at me.

"You sure you can handle yourself?" An easy grin touched his lips and my heart fluttered. My palms felt moist and my lower belly was filled with butterflies.

He was by far the most amazing looking man I had ever seen. With his mess of inky black hair that was a bit too long, cobalt blue eyes and sun kissed skin - I was rendered speechless. I'm in his arms. The thought screamed in my mind and I shook myself from my sudden hypnotic state. Damn it, Ella. Pull yourself together!

"I'm sure." I pushed at his chest again and this time I felt his hard pecks shift under my palms as he flexed - but he released me. My stomach dropped. What I wouldn't give to have his patterned arms encasing me again.

"Where are you headed?" He cocked his head as he waited for my reply. Not one part of him indicated insecurity. This man was the most confident man I had ever encountered. He oozed self-assurance and dangerous charm. If I were smart, I'd forget my books on the ground and start running again.

"Work," I knelt down to pick up my books and he crouched in front of me. My knees were shaky, but from my earlier exertion or his nearness I wasn't sure. From the corner of my eye I saw a muscular arm stretch out to finger my text.

"English huh," his deep voice resonated through my body, shaking me right down to my core. He…affected me.

The thought floored me. No one affected me. I'd had boyfriends when dating seemed like the right thing to do, but they never stuck past the second date. I just wasn't interested. I knew what I wanted from my life and boys weren't it. I had a plan and romance was no part of it. Yet, here I was turning to putty in his hand. Never mind my shaky knees and lightweight stomach. I was a freaking mess.