Stupid Girl(44)

Although the illumination from the display threw the room into a yielding blush, it was still shadowy enough to hide my reaction to Brax. I drew a breath. Slowly released it. “Sure is,” I answered. I elbowed him gently. “You’re really a geek buried under all that.” I looked at him and grinned. “Aren’t you?”

Brax’s gaze left the celestial display and turned to me. His hand stayed on my back, and the sharp scent of earthy guy soap filled my nostrils as I inhaled. His head ducked, and he cocked it sideways. His hair was still wet from a recent shower. Those perfect lips twitched. “Under all what?”

Talk about poking a caged tiger with a stick. Had I lost my mind? My damn mind? I blinked, and hoped I’d erased the unease from my face. “Under all that cockiness and ink,” I countered. Narrowing my eyes, I nodded toward the door. But Brax’s gaze stayed focused on mine, sharp and soft and ghostly and sexy at the same time. I shoved that thought away. “Now do you want to see something cool or not?”

One corner of his mouth lifted—a habit of his that was addicting to look at. “Cool, huh, Sunshine?” Still, his hand splayed over my lower back, and I swear, I found myself not wanting him to remove it. Then, he lifted my braid, played with it between his fingers for a moment, then flicked it over my shoulder. “Yeah, show me something cool. Although it’s gotta be damn good to beat what’s right in front of me.”

I knew Brax was doing exactly what he did with all girls: flirt like a hellion. He’d even told me it was all in fun and part of his character, and for me not to take it personally. It was harder than I thought. A pent-up exhale slowly released from my lungs, through my pursed lips, and I laughed nervously. “It’s way cooler. I promise.” I hit the exhibit display lights, and the room darkened. “Come on, Boston. Follow me.” I started up the aisle toward the door, its EXIT illuminating red hue the only light in the auditorium. Brax walked behind me, guiding me with his strong hand, and each of his fingertips left an impression in my skin, I was sure of it. At the door, he grabbed my supplies bucket, reached around me and pushed it open, and I stepped out.

Noah Hicks stood just beyond in the foyer, as if he was expecting us. He smiled at me, but his gaze turned questioning and cautious toward Brax. “I see you found Olivia with no problem,” he said. “How’d you like the display?”

Brax’s body closed in toward mine. “Fucking spectacular.” His fingers dug into my back. “Never seen one like it before, man.”

Noah gave a brief look at me, then nodded. I wondered if he got the gist of Brax’s words that had nothing to do with the display. Or was I kidding myself again? Noah then smiled at me. “You’re going to the platform, I guess? Clear sky with a decent lunar slice to observe. I just unlocked my office, if you want to get your scope.” He moved past us then, and brushed his hand over my shoulder. Brax pushed closer, and I felt his chest against my back. “I’ll start locking up in about an hour,” Noah said.

“Okay, thank you,” I replied. I glanced back at Brax. “I’ll be right back. Wait here.”

I left Noah and Brax sizing each other up and hurried down the hallway. What was that all about? The energy pouring off of Brax had taken me off guard, so potent and possessive. How could that be? And Noah? I knew him less than I did Brax, yet I’d noticed a total change in his demeanor, as well. Like two big cats facing off. It couldn’t be that I was bringing a friend to the platform; Noah had already approved that. Was it Brax he didn’t approve of? No doubt the rumors surrounding him didn’t exclude the faculty.

In Noah’s office I grabbed my scope bag, slung it over my shoulder and hurried back. “Okay, let’s go,” I said to Brax. He and Noah were staring each other down like a couple of gladiators. Brax looking like a street thug, Noah like a, well … a manicured professional. Neither moved or said a word, so I stepped closer, grabbed Brax’s hand, and tugged. “This way, gotta hurry.” Brax’s body shifted toward my pull, and I threw Noah a friendly smile. “Thanks again. We’ll be back down shortly.”

Noah nodded at me, turned and disappeared down the hall and into his office.

Brax lifted my scope bag from my arm and shouldered it, and we curved around the hallway and came to the doorway that led to the observatory’s dome and massive platform. My heart raced ninety-to-nothing, and confusion warped my brain. I stopped, dropped Brax’s hand, and turned to him. I kept my voice low. “If I invite you back here you’ll have to leave that Southie badass disposition behind, Brax. Noah is one of my bosses. A TA for the astronomy department. And, he’s nice. So whatever got your hackles up with him, relax. No bullying. Got it?”