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Hell, that's part of why I'm in college to begin with. My guidance counselor had no faith in me. She tried to steer me toward the technical path and, I quote, told me I wasn't “college material.” I suppose I should be thanking her because that only made me more determined than ever to go to college.
So here I am. And I got a full ride scholarship to boot. Take that, bitch.
"You know what?" I tell my bestie with a little cock of my head, "On second thought, I would love nothing more than to go to the beach with you. A bit of sunshine is exactly what I need."
A discontented growl rumbles from Axe's chest behind me. I swear he's standing so close to my chair that I can feel the heat emanating off his body.
Why is he so hot? In both the literal and metaphorical sense? Not only is the man drop-dead gorgeous, but his body seems to put off so much heat. Like he's a freaking wolf or something.
"Sophie, can I talk to you for a moment?" he asks me. Maybe I should pay attention to the warning in his voice, but I don't.
I don't turn to look at him either, but I can feel his eyes bearing down on me.
I take a sip of my strawberry daiquiri and answer him without glancing up." Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of my bestie."
Vera and I both gasp when he pulls me from my chair and begins leading me toward the back of the restaurant where the restrooms are.
I'm sprinting to keep up with his long strides as he yanks me along behind him.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" I hiss at him as I yank my hand away from him. Seriously, this guy is demented.
My mouth goes dry when he turns around and all of his six-foot-four glory is glowering down at me. He takes a step toward me, and I step back until my back is pressed against the wall.
"Are you purposefully trying to defy me?" he asks. "You were all set to not go with her until I agreed that it was a bad idea."
My brow furrows. Why the hell does he care what I do?
I just shrug and feign nonchalance. "I had a change of heart. It's a woman's prerogative, you know."
He snorts like he sees right through my bullshit and knows I'm doing it just because I know he doesn't want me to. Maybe that's petty of me, but I've never claimed I'm not petty.
And damn it, nobody tells me what to do. Especially this guy who has had my thoughts all in a knot ever since I met him. Then he just barges in here like we're in a relationship or something, like he has claim over me and has a right to an opinion about anything in my life.
I cross my arms and glare up him. "What's your deal, Axe? Why are you here?"
Now it's his turn to look nonchalant as he shrugs. "I saw you talking to your friend and thought I'd come over and say hi. Then I overheard what you were talking about, and I thought you could use some backup. Your friend looked pretty determined."
I narrow my eyes at him. "Well, I don't need your help. I can handle my best friend myself, thanks."
I push against his chest. He doesn't budge, and I'm suddenly very aware of how hard and firm his chest is underneath my palms.
My breath catches, and I see his eyes darken as he takes another step closer to me. There's barely an inch separating our bodies now.
"Don't go on this trip with her," he orders me, his voice low and husky.
I swallow. "Why not?" I mean for my voice to come out irritated, but it's barely more than a breathy whisper. Damn me. Damn him. I hate how he has this effect on me. I hate how he can get me so flustered just with his nearness.
The smell of his expensive cologne wraps around me. He smells like spice and sandalwood. Completely masculine.
I feel my lady parts start to tingle. Damn pheromones.
"Because you'll burn." He licks his lips. It's not right for a man to have such full, beautiful lips.
"You heard Vera," I manage to choke out. "She's going to buy me a big hat and one thousand SPF sunscreen."
"It's not safe," he adds. "Anything could happen to you."
I frown up to him. "Do you know something I don't? Am I in some unknown danger?"
