“We will take ye,” he growls at me.
4
Alex
Tim is looking at me like I’m a complete dick. I don’t know, he could be right. I take a deep breath before holding out my hand to Claire. “Come on,mo ghaol, let’s go. Tim can drive so ye make it in one piece.” I smile, waiting for her to take my hand. Relief washes over me when she finally gives in, sliding her hand in mine.
Our drive back to campus is uneventful without me behind the wheel. Before we’ve even stopped, I get out to open Claire’s door.
“Thank you for the ride. Good night,” she says to us, walking toward her door. I only debate my options for a moment before bending down to the open car window.
“Go ahead back tae the hotel. I’ll call for a ride later,” I tell Tim.
“Are you sure you want to do this? It could be a long walk when she slams the door in your face.” Tim asks, looking past me at Claire.
“I know, but I have tae get some answers. I cannae believe I meant nothing tae her but a one-time fuck. Maybe getting the door slammed in my face will finally get me over my infatuation.” I tap on the window ledge when he nods.
I watch as he drives off then turn back toward her apartment. She’s no longer in sight. Shit, this is just so messed up. Climbing the stairs, I bang on her door. Her odd roommate answers. When she doesn’t speak but simply stares at me, I finally become frustrated.
“I need tae speak with Claire.” Shrugging she opens the door before walking back to her room. So the answer to a strange man banging on the door is just to let him in? When I lift my fist to knock on Claire’s door, it flies open, making us both jump.
“Jesus! How did you get in the apartment?” she squeaks out, placing her hand over her chest in surprise before I can explain. “Oh, never mind, I’m sure it was my crazy roommate. Am I right?”
I would answer but all I can focus on is Claire in shorts that barely cover her ass and a tight tank top. It takes me about two seconds to notice the lack of bra straps showing. My gaze drops immediately to her two erect nipples poking out from the soft cotton. I am a guy after all!
“Dia sábhail mi!” I manage to moan out. Her head cocks to the side in question. I don’t know what it is about that look but it brings my blood to a boil.
“You have to speak English if you want me to understand you. Remember, I used my entire knowledge of Gaelic in the library.” She laughs as she walks past me. “I was getting a water before having the hell scared out of me.”
She crosses back from the fridge, handing me a bottle before I can get myself back under control. I take my opportunity to follow her into her room when she leaves the door open.
“I’m really tired, Alex. Is there something you needed?” I laugh, standing awkwardly facing her.
“There was but I cannae remember whit it was now. Ye’re quite a distraction.” She looks down like she just realized she’s basically not wearing anything. Crossing to the dresser, she pulls out a sweatshirt, sliding into it.
“Better?” she asks when she turns around.
“Naw, it was better before.” I smile, watching the red creep up her face.
Clearing her throat, she asks, “You were going to tell me why you broke into my apartment? Do I need to cover my legs too?” I look back up at her face from where I’ve been slowly tracing a lazy path with my eyes down her long legs.
“Umm,” is the brilliant answer I come up with. My God! I think my brain has completely shut down.
“Alex, just tell me what you want. I’m too tired to keep trying to figure out what game you’re playing.” What does she mean by that? Since when have I ever been playing a game? Suddenly, my brain wakes back up.
“Whit fucking game dae ye think I’m playing, Claire?” I’m pissed now as I step closer to her. To her credit, she holds her ground, glaring back at me. “Please, tell me whit game I’m playing because I have naw fucking clue. Is that why ye keep blowing me off?”
“Look at you,” she shouts, placing both hands against my chest and shoving me back a step. “You’re Xander Fucking Ross. You can have any woman you want hanging on your every word. Beautiful, sophisticated women. I don’t get the Xander Rosses of this world, that’s just not how life works. Why did you come after me in the library? Why do you keep coming? I have nothing special to offer you.”
She’s shoved me into the living room of her apartment. “You live a thousand miles away. Why do I want to be one of a thousand women for you to swing by for a quick fuck every time you’re in town?” When she’s finished railing, I stare at her in disbelief as her chest rises and falls in panting breaths.
“Boireannach stad a bhruidhinn! First off,” I shout back at her. “I’m Alex or Alexander but never fucking Xander tae ye. Second, I’m naw interested in other women, just the obstinate one standing in front of me. Dae ye ever see pictures of me in the tabloids with other women? And third, did it ever occur tae ye that ye might just be the beautiful, sophisticated woman I want!”
I see her eyes widen at me. “I dinnae understand why ye think I have some ulterior motive. I just want tae be with ye. Oregon was amazing, I thought maybe ye felt something too.”
“Can you keep it down, I’m trying to sleep?” Her roommate picks the absolutely wrong moment to stick her head out of her room to complain. Oh, you did not just try that snotty fucking attitude on me!
“Hey,” I yell, pointing at her. I’m on a roll, so why not? “If I hear aboot even one more random wanker in this apartment withoot permission from yer roommate, I will come back here, rip his balls off and kick ye both oot on yer arse. Now get back in yer room!” She shoots her head back into her bedroom, slamming the door with a huff.
