Shame flooded her face as she looked down at her feet. "I better get back," she finally managed to say.
"All right."
Sera blinked as he took her hand. Dread blazed through her and she stiffened involuntarily. However, when he didn't make another move toward her, some of the dread dissipated. She knew many men would have been irritated by her refusal, by her sudden hot and cold. Yet Liam seemed to take it all in stride as they walked toward the college.
It perplexed her, and she couldn't stop herself from casting wary glances his way. Not only did he make her melt just by touching her, but he also seemed to be a decent person. It was too good to be true, there had to be something wrong with him.
Liam tried to puzzle out the mystery that was Sera. He had finally seen what it was that Mike had been talking about. There had been so much trepidation and pleading in her eyes, that it had actually constricted his heart. She had instantly reminded him of a frightened, trapped animal, and he had understood why Mike had said to leave her be.
It was obvious that she had been hurt in the past. But how bad it had been, he didn't know. His hand involuntarily tensed around hers as the thought of anyone mistreating her sent a flash of burning anger through him. What was the matter with him? He didn't know this girl from Eve; he shouldn't give a rat's ass about what had happened to her in the past.
He chanced a glance at her as she walked along; her golden head was bent as she studied the sidewalk. He frowned thoughtfully as he realized that for some strange reason, he did give a rat's ass. He clenched his jaw as he turned to study the campus. She was the type of person that he could truly come to like, and that was a chance that he couldn't take.
They passed the party, which had begun to slow down. There was a scattering of people sleeping on the lawn, while others were spilling out the doors. The music was still going, but it wasn't as loud anymore. "Hey Liam!" someone yelled drunkenly from the stonewall. "You get some man?"
Liam was surprised by the deep blush that instantly stained her cheeks. He was certain that he had never seen anyone turn that red, that fast. He squeezed her hand for reassurance. "I see that you've made some friends since you've been here," she said.
"I've never met him."
"It's Jason Riggs."
"He's an asshole."
"If you think so now, wait till you get to know him," she told him.
"Sounds like you like him," he commented dryly.
"Not at all, but you learn to deal with him."
"Has he ever done anything to you?"
Her face burned even hotter as she recalled some of the rude comments that he'd made to her in the past. "No, just stupid comments, petty stuff really."
He could tell by her tone that it wasn't just petty stuff to her. He glanced over his shoulder to see if he could still spot Jason, but the frat house was well behind them. He would have a talk with Jason later to make sure that he didn't bother her again. His frown deepened as he realized that he actually felt protective of this girl. Jesus, he needed to get away from her, now.
They turned a corner and her dorm came into view. Disappointment filled her as she realized the night was ending already. Shaking her head to clear her conflicting emotions, she tugged upon his hand.
"This is my dorm," she said, stopping in front of it.
"I'll walk you to your room."
She stared at him as she tried to figure him out. Was he just being polite, or did he expect something to happen once they were at her room? But Kathleen had said that she would be there, so he couldn't be expecting anything. Sera thoughtfully chewed on her bottom lip. She was still busy trying to figure him out when they entered the building.
Liam was just as startled as she was. He'd planned to leave her at the door to the building, and go back to the party. There were probably some girls still lingering about who would be more than happy to spend the night with him. Instead, he found himself unwilling to leave her until he knew that she was safely in her room.
"Do you live on campus?" she asked.
"At the Omega house."
"I don't picture you as a frat guy."
"It's better than living in a dorm. More freedom."
"I guess."
She stopped in front of her door and turned to face him. "Do you want to come in? Kathleen is probably still up." In fact she knew that Kathleen was still up, waiting to hear about everything that had happened.
"All right."
