Torrid Affair(4)

Crap, he was hot. Very freaking hot.

“Yes?” I questioned when he didn’t speak. I gnawed on the inner part of my lip as I waited for him to say something.

A grin grew on his face and I squeezed my grip on my pen until my fingernails were digging into my palm. How had I been on campus for three years and never noticed him?

“I’m sorry.” He shrugged. “If I’d known you would be late for class, I wouldn’t have taken your spot.” He was apologizing, but all I could focus on was the way his voice made the butterflies in my stomach triple in size. I blamed the dizziness and gawking on the fact I was exhausted.

“It’s . . . D-Don’t,” I stuttered. “No biggie.” I inhaled and blinked nervously.

“I’m Nathaniel. Nathaniel Wright.”

I felt my cheeks flush. “Is this where you tell me that you’re Mr. Wright or Mr. Right Now?” I lifted my chin toward him and grinned. “Please don’t tell me that’s your pick up line.” I giggled.

“No.” He chuckled. “My pick up line is more profound.”

“Really?” I widened my eyes. “I must hear this.” I turned to face him.

He cleared his throat in preparation. “Excuse me. How much does a polar bear weigh?”

“Ahh.” I bit my lower lip contemplating my answer. “I don’t know.”

“Enough to break the ice.” He smiled and extended his hand. “I’m Nate.”

“Brielle.” I couldn’t hold back the smile that grew on my face as I reached for his hand.

“Brielle,” he repeated my name. “It fits you.”

“How so?”

“It’s unique and beautiful.” He winked. “Just like you.”

Guys. Most were cocky, arrogant and over the top. My eyes rolled. “You just can’t stop it, can you?”

“Stop what?”

“Your terrible one-liners.” I shoved my notepad back in my bag and turned to walk away. “Have a good day, Nathaniel Wright.” I did find him charming. Even if it was only a tad bit.

“Wait!”

His footfalls grew closer behind me. I turned and was greeted with his tall frame. His hand ran through his low cut hair and he gnawed his lower lip for a few seconds before he spoke again.

“Come on, let me take you out? It’s the least I can do since I took your parking spot.”

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I hadn’t been out with someone since I broke up with Trent last semester. “I—I . . . uh . . .” Clearly, I was developing a stutter around this guy.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No. Do you have a girlfriend?” I retorted.

“No.” He shook his head in defense. “Just figured you were thinking of a way to let me down easy.” Nate stepped closer. He smelled as though he’d just stepped out of the shower, fresh with a hint of cologne. It was manly but not overpowering. “Come on, Brielle. Have dinner with me?”

I sighed. “Fine. I’ll go out with you, Wright.” How could I say no?

He pressed both of his hands under his chin as though he was about to pray. “So, my pick up line worked after all.”

“Seriously! You’re pushing your luck, buddy.” I shook my head, but my cheeks hurt from grinning. “Unreal.”

“Does tomorrow work?”

“Yeah. I get off work at seven. Just tell me where to meet you.”

“I can pick you up.” His tongue slid across his lip, causing my stomach to twist.

“I’ve seen you drive, so there is no way I’m getting in a car with you.” I smiled and patted his chest. “Plus, you could be a stalker. I don’t want you to know where I work or live.”

“Fair enough.” He lifted his hands in defeat. “DefyGravity, eight o’clock.” Nate gave me one last boyish smile before he turned and walked away.

I sucked my lower lip between my teeth to hide my excitement. Maybe this was going to be a good year.





Nathaniel


I walked away from Brielle, knowing this class was now my favorite. There was something about her that piqued my interest. I blamed her short shorts that hugged her small waist.

I’d originally planned to withdraw from the class. I’d already studied every building on this campus when I took a similar class at the community college, so I showed up because I needed a signature from Professor Comeau to drop the class. But after my encounter with Brie, I walked back to my car and headed over to the financial aid office to make sure I was covered for it.

The line was out the door with students who had issues with registration and others who wanted to add or drop classes. I thought I’d beat the rush, but when there were at least twenty people in front of me I knew I’d be here for most of the morning.