“Oh.” She seemed disappointed. “Maybe we can do a chalkboard instead?”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “We'll go to the paint store sometime soon.” I didn't wait for her response as I walked out of the room.
Strolling past my car, I let the cool, crisp air hit my face. A walk across campus would help clear my mind.
It was a simple mistake.
Nate and I . . . It was . . . nothing.
It had to be nothing.
It was one drunken night.
That was it.
But I knew deep down that wasn't true.
I looked up into the clear sky. Though the sun was out, it didn't warm my skin. “What the hell am I doing?” I asked the world.
Everything would be fine, I told myself. Nate wouldn't be in any of my classes this semester. And Delaney wouldn't be bringing Nate around, so I would ignore the situation and it would all work itself out. It had to.
Digging in my pocket, I pulled my cell phone out and sent Julian a text message.
Me: Are you back on campus?
Within seconds he responded.
Julian: Yes.
Me: Do you want to meet up? Talk?
Julian: Yes :)
Me: Java Joes at 3?
Julian: I'll be there.
A cloud of warm air hit me like in an inferno when I pulled back the heavy glass door. I gave a staff member a kind smile and headed for the stairs that led to the second floor. Along the walls were wooden tables used for quiet studying. I walked to the farthest corner, the last table. No one would find me there. I would be completely alone.
Scattering my books and papers across the table, I flipped my laptop open, silenced my phone, and got to work.
My back was toward the door but I felt him approach. When I heard footfalls behind me, my heartbeat began to race. The passage I was reading became a scramble of words on the page.
There was no hiding. I couldn’t simply pick up my belongings and run. Slowly, I inhaled and closed my eyes. I had to face Nate. Closing my laptop, I began to shove everything back in my bag.
“Hi,” he said as he pulled a chair out and sat across from me. At first, I was hesitant to meet his gaze, but the pull was undeniable. I couldn't deny myself. He looked . . . like a dream. He smiled at me, and his emerald green eyes lit up.
I was fucked.
There was something between us,
I couldn’t ignore it.
It was like a fire that refused to burn out.
“What are you doing here?” My voice was barely audible.
“Tracking you down.” He licked his lips. “I’ve been looking for you all day. All week.”
“Why?” I pulled my gaze away from his lips.
“Because you can’t avoid me any longer.” His gaze was stern and his eyebrows pinched together. “We need to talk.”
I pushed back my chair and stood. My brain felt scattered, as though it lacked oxygen. It was impossible to focus. “There is nothing to talk about, Nate.” I shoved a few more things in my bag.
“Is that how you want to do this?” His low voice made goosebumps rise all over my body. “Nothing happened between us?”
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, and hoped when I opened them this would all be a dream. A nightmare that would soon pass. But when I lifted my lids he was standing right in front of me. His tall frame towered over me and the smell of his cologne teased my senses. I wanted to lace my arms around his neck and have him hold me for all eternity.
But I couldn’t.
“Nothing. Happened,” I told him.
He moved a step closer, his gaze trailing up my body. “So, what we did . . .” He lifted his hand and brushed it across my cheek. “It didn’t mean anything to you?”
I whimpered at his touch and closed my eyes. Why did it feel so right with him? “Please.” Was I begging him to stop or to kiss me? I couldn’t tell. His touch was electrifying.
“You feel it.” His forehead pressed against mine. “This pull between us. I know you feel it, too.” I forced myself to shake my head, but my mind refused to work.
Nate’s breath was minty and warm against my skin. He inhaled my scent and I felt wanton in his arms. No matter how wrong a situation is, when your heart wants something, there isn’t anything you can do to fight it. The heart wants what the heart wants. I never understood that phrase until now.
My heart wanted him.
My soul craved him.
But he was forbidden.
He took his time running his nose along my cheek. Teasing me with each passing second, he kissed along my cheek, chin and the tip of my nose.
I anticipated his kiss.
I longed for it.
I was becoming an addict waiting for its hit.
“Open your eyes, Brielle.”
I shook my head ever so slowly.
“Brielle.” He said my name as if it was chocolate in his mouth. “I want you to see me kiss you.”
Both scared and excited, I opened my eyes. Trapped in the endless emerald green sea that was his eyes, I stood before him helplessly. My heart raced a mile a second. A small boyish grin grew on his face.