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He chuckled. “Yes, an official introduction. You know, if you’re ever in need of a well-paying campus job, I’m looking for an assistant. I know it’s not usually open to first-years, but I like to train the right person up from scratch. My last assistant was with me four years, until she graduated.”
“Oh, really! Thank you for letting me know about it. I’ll keep my eye out for the job posting.”
Students were streaming down the middle aisle now, searching for seats. Professor Jefferies headed back to his lectern, and I cracked open my new notebook and got ready to work.
We were only a few minutes into the class when the sound of the door squeaking open to admit a late student cut through Professor Jefferies’ lecture. Being late on the first day was my nightmare. I turned a sympathetic expression to the straggler, until I saw who it was.
Beckett ambled down the center aisle like he had all the time in the world. He looked good, in a tight black T-shirt, dark jeans, and a Hellions hoodie, unzipped.
He looked good?What kind of first reaction was that? Oh my God, what was wrong with me?
I turned away, but not before he spied me. A slow smile spread over his face. He headed in my direction. I faced the front, flustered and annoyed that he was going to sit near me. The bench creaked as he moved along it and sat directly behind me, despite there being lots of open seats.
“You got a pen for me, Cinderella?” he leaned forward and whispered.
My skin prickled at the feel of his hot breath on my cheek, transporting me to the night before. It was all his fault my body was freaking out. You couldn’t bring someone so damn close to coming and just leave them hanging. It couldn’t be good for you. I was jumpy as hell, and his proximity was only making it worse .
“Evie? Don’t ignore me, or I’ll just ask louder.”
“Here,” I hissed and tossed a pen over my shoulder. He caught it, of course, because he had that kind of natural athleticism.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Five minutes into the lecture and Beckett was tapping my pen on the table, right behind my ear.
Tap. Tap. Tap
It was so annoying, but I knew I couldn’t say anything. Letting him see how annoying it was would ensure he kept doing it.Apparently, we were in grade school now, so the same rules applied.
When I failed to respond, he stretched his long legs out behind me and angled them under mine. He could reach my legs, even from a row back. I moved my legs, and he followed with his. His boot tapped at my shin, and I moved my legs again, missing what the teacher was saying.
I had to do something.
I pretended to drop my pen and leaned down. Deftly, I tugged at one of Beckett’s laces and tied it to the leg of the desk, then straightened up.
Professor Jefferies went on, and Beckett tried to shift his foot to fuck with me again. I felt the entire row of connected desks shake when he pulled his leg and it didn’t budge. I fought a victorious smile as he chuckled behind me.
Jefferies went on to ask a question. “Who’d like to volunteer their seminal Econ books or papers?”
I avoided the professor’s eyes, just like everyone else, but someone must have put their hand up, as Professor Jefferies called on them.
“Yes, care to share?” he said, staring at someone near me.
“I’m not well-versed, not yet anyway, but my fellow student here, Eve, was telling me about some fascinating ones.” Beckett’s deep voice sent me sitting bolt upright, suddenly in the hot seat.
Professor Jefferies looked at me and nodded. “Okay, Eve, let’s hear it.”
I felt a hundred pairs of eyes focus on me. My palms broke out in instant anxiety sweat, and I felt vaguely nauseated.
“I likeProgress and Poverty, andDas Kapital, of course. But the most seminal, in my opinion, isWealth of Nationsby Adam Smith.” My voice didn’t shake, something I was proud of. I knew the damn answer, after all. I actually was interested in Econ, and not just studying it to make my dad happy like Beckett.
Professor Jefferies nodded approvingly. “Excellent suggestions.”
I sank back in my seat and risked a victorious glance over my shoulder. Beckett was lounging in his seat, appearing unbothered by my last-minute win.
He merely nodded at me. “Clever girl,” he murmured.
Something hot and unbearable licked at me, thanks to the glint in his dark-gray eyes. Did I like that note of approval in his voice? Did I want a head pat from him? Surely not. If I did, then Beckett wasn’t the only certifiable person living in apartment seven.
