Page 37 of Bless My Heart

I felt it the first night I was with her, and I sure as hell felt it when my head was between her legs the other night.

She’s not getting away from me that easily. I’m not ready to let her go.

So I put on my tightest jeans on Monday because I’ve caught Hazel staring at my ass more than a few times. I pair it with a tight whiteTt-shirt that’s probably a size too small, but I don’t care. I know Hazel will like it, and I want to see her squirm. She’s got to admit to herself that she wants me.

I get to class at my usual time. I don’t want her to think I’m trying to play games with her, even though I am.

I walk through the door, and Hazel’s eyes immediately turn in my direction. I see her look me up and down slowly, and if I’m not mistaken, she pulls that sexy bottom lip of hers in between her teeth. She likes what she sees. I knew she would.

I wink at her before I find my usual seat in the middle of the room. Hazel still hasn’t taken her eyes off me.

I run my fingers through my hair and pull out my laptop and notebook for class.

She thought I’d be upset with her after our little talk yesterday. I know she did. Most guys would probably be upset if their girl kept pushing them away, but not me. I’m here for the long run. She can push all she wants, but I’m going to push back even harder.

Hazel starts her lecture right when class begins, even though people are still trying to find their seats. She goes on about percentages and statistics, all while not meeting my eyes. It’s just like the start of the semester. She’s avoiding me at all costs. Her eyes mostly stay trained on the back wall unless someone raises their hand with a question.

She’s cute when she’s nervous.

She’s cute, period.

When class ends, I don’t do what I normally do: go to her desk and try to subtly flirt with her and watch her freak out. But not today. I take the steps down to the front of the lecture hall and immediately hook a right to leave. She watches me leave. I know she does. I want her to.

She wants space, so I’m going to let her think she’s going to get it.

Little does she know, I’m suddenly struggling with the entire concept of microeconomics, so I’m going to show up at her office hours for one-on-one help.

Lucky for me, I don’t have class during her Monday office hours. I go toward the end of her availability, so there aren’t any people actually needing help waiting to talk to her.

When I get to her office, a kid from our class is just leaving. He looks like a mess. He’s got papers spilling out of his binders and backpack, and I’m pretty sure he has a coffee stain down the front of his shirt. Poor guy. Someone needs to show him how to organize himself.

Hazel sees me in the hallway, and her eyes widen, but she controls her surprise otherwise.

“Mr. Mitchell, what can I help you with?”

“Well, Doc, I’m just not getting this whole microeconomics thing. I think I need some help,” I tell her and make myself comfortable in the chair across from her desk. I lean back, taking in the decor of her office. I’ve never noticed it before. It’s pretty tame compared to her apartment. The only piece of color is a weird orange cow poster.

“What are you talking about? Your grades are exceptional.”

“Yeah, I think I just got lucky on all those assignments, you know?” I lean back and twirl my pen in my hand while I smile at her. “I think I need some more guidance. As my professor, isn’t that what you’re here for?”

Realization sets on her face. Hazel knows what I’m doing. She can’t turn me down as a student asking for help. She cocks her head at me and gives me a small smile.

“Ok, Wes. Where should we start? Did you have questions about the lecture today?”

“Yes, why didn’t you look at me?”

“What?”

“I watched you the entire time. You didn’t look at me once after I sat down.”

“I just…”

“Yes?” I bait her, wanting her to say it.

“It just hurts to look at you.” She whispers so I barely hear it, but it’s enough. I nod my head in response. I want to know I actually mean something to her, and she just confirmed that I do. She clears her throat. “Did you have any other relevant questions about the lecture?”

“That was pretty relevant to me, but yes, in fact, I do have other questions.”