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“What do you want?” I asked, returning to my computer.
“I thought I was helping you with your paper, or have you changed your mind?” He scooted the chair back and propped his legs up on the table, crossing his hands behind his head. He was the picture of ease.
“I wasn’t planning on working on it today.” I tapped my fingers against the wood table with irritation. I felt his eyes staring a hole into me. I wanted him to go away.
“Come on, don’t be a party pooper. I’m on my way to the nursing home now.” He bumped my shoulder lightly with his hand and I flinched. “I don’t bite, Tate…” He lowered his feet and leaned towards me, his grin wicked, “unless you want me to.”
“No, no, no, no way,” I stood, gathering my belongings. “I knew this was a bad idea. Forget I ever agreed to this. I don’t need your help. Not now, not ever.”
I knew I wouldn’t be able to put up with Jude for an entire month. I’d have to come up with a new idea for my paper.
Before he could reply, I hauled ass out of there.
I heard his footsteps pounding behind me, but I refused to turn around and look at him.
It didn’t take him long to catch up to me.
His hand wrapped around my arm and he pulled me against his chest.
“Let me go!” I cried, trying to wiggle free.
His whole body pressed against mine and I didn’t like how good it felt. Jude was the last person on the planet who should turn me on.
He released me and I whipped around to glare at him. “Why won’t you leave me alone?”
“What can I say? I’m very determined.” Crossing his arms over his chest, we ended up in a stare down. “I said I’d help you with your paper, and I intend to keep that promise.” Lowering his voice, he said, “I’ve never been able to figure out why you hate me so much.”
I rolled my eyes. “The fact that you don’t know says a lot.”
I started to walk away again, but he grabbed my arm to halt me.
“Jude,” I warned, only he didn’t release me this time. He stepped up behind me, his long lean body adhering to my shadow.
“Come on, Tatum,” his free hand skimmed over my shoulder, “you know you don’t want to change your project, just let me help you. Hell, you might even find that you actually like me.” His voice was low and coaxing.
“Not likely,” I wrenched my arm from his hold. Taking several deep breaths, I tried to calm myself down. Realistically, I needed Jude’s help with this, and being stubborn would get me nowhere. Squaring my shoulders, I did the responsible thing. “Thank you for offering to help me with this. I know you didn’t have to.” Tucking a stray piece of blonde hair behind my ear I mumbled reluctantly, “I’d be happy to accompany you to the nursing home.”
“Good,” he grinned, his eyes sparkling with victory. “By the way, I appreciate the fact that you’re trying to be nice and all, but drop the formalities. It’s weird.”
He reached for my hand and started pulling me along.
“Whoa buddy,” I dug my heels into the sidewalk, “where do you think you’re dragging me off to?”
“My truck,” he looked at me like I was stupid.
“I can follow you,” I declared.
“I veto that idea.” He stared me down. Jude could be intimidating when he wanted to, but I was not one to cower. Life had been cruel to me the last few years and I’d become tough because of it. “I think you need to get to know me. The real me, since you insist upon hating me, you should at least know exactly what it is you’re hating.”
What the hell?
“Who are you? Yoda?” I looked at him incredulously.
“I want to make a bet with you,” he grinned impishly.
“A bet? What kind of bet?” Now I did start to squirm. This had ‘bad news’ written all over it.
“How long do you need to shadow me for your paper?” He asked.
