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“Yeah, my last year.” How have I missed him roaming campus? I’m only eighteen, but this is my junior year since I got accepted to college early. When I was told that I would get to live on campus, that sealed the deal for me. I’d been counting down the days to get out of my parents’ house. I worked hard on my schooling to make sure I would be accepted early. My parents had been excited to brag about me to their friends. I’d been excited to get away from them. Both of us won with my early acceptance. My parents only care about three things: appearances, education, and let’s not forget social status.
I was told I would stay in the freshmen dorm until I was at least nineteen. Liv was my first normal roommate, though having two boyfriends might not make her normal, but she’s the coolest and sweetest one I’ve had to date. I hope I can hang on to her next year, but I’m guessing the Audley twins won’t let that happen. They didn’t look too happy about leaving her that first day. The second they can get her out of there, they will.
“How have I never seen you around?” My eyes roam over his big size.
“I haven't seen you either.”
“I’m tiny. I’m easy to miss.”
“Trust me.” His eyes roam over me now. “You’re not easy to miss, Treasure.” My heart races at that. Wait, did he call me “Treasure”? The elevator dings and he guides me off before I can ask. He heads straight for one of two doors on the floor.
He pulls his keys out, unlocks the door and leads me into his condo. “It’s not much. I use it to eat and sleep.”
The place is bare. The condo itself is nice, but there is nothing in it. It almost looks unlived in. I can tell he’s seeing his place through my eyes at the moment and it’s making him feel uneasy. The firm grip he has on my soft hand tightens a little.
“I thought men were messy?” I rush to say. The need to make him feel comfortable is strong. He doesn't look like someone who’s used to being uncomfortable. No, it’s more like he doesn't give a fuck what someone else thinks, but he seems different with me. I can see he wants to impress me. Maybe that’s why I have this need to make him feel at ease. Normally I’d keep quiet. It works well for me. Staying out of the way is what I do best. My hope is always that people will do the same for me. I don’t have that feeling with Tank. I want to be all up in his way, even if he could crush me in more ways than one.
“It’s only me and my cat. I clean up after myself.”
“Buys me a whole pie, owns a cat, and is clean. If I didn’t know better I’d think you’re trying to get laid.” It isn’t until the words are out of my mouth that I realize what I’m saying. I can’t believe I actually said those words. My cheeks flush immediately with embarrassment.
“Fuck,” Tank mutters. “I mean fork,” he rushes to amend. This time it’s him trying to make me feel comfortable. I’m sure my face is still cherry red. Maybe now it’s only a warm pink if I’m lucky. “I’ll get us some forks and a plate.” He rushes over to the kitchen area of the open plan room, letting my hand go in the process. “My cat found me. She was lurking around the gym all the time, looking hungry. I fed her some milk and now I have a cat. She usually hides, though, so it feels like I’m alone most of the time. Forks.” He lifts two up. Watching him try to make me more comfortable puts me at ease. I still can’t believe I said that.
“I only need one.” I walk over toward the kitchen area and pull out one of the bar stools. “I’m not sharing my pie.” I set the bag with the pie in it on the counter top.
“You’re going to eat the whole pie?” His lips quirk, giving me a half smile.
“You only get honey, remember?” I remind him why we came here. Though I’m pretty sure we both didn’t want to come here because of honey.
“I think you’re trying to get out of sharing your pie.”
“I’m not great at sharing when it comes to food,” I admit. Heck, I don’t want to share his attention either. It’s why I didn’t want to go up to my dorm room and so quickly agreed to go to his. I’m enjoying being alone with him. That’s a thought I’ve never had about a person in my whole life. It’s both scary and exciting.
CHAPTER5
TANK
I liftthe foil pie tin out of the bag and place two forks beside it. Erika’s seated, her hands threaded together, wearing a smile that would make angels melt. Tongue-tied, I wordlessly slide the pie and one of the utensils in front of her. She’s tiny when she’s standing next to me and even smaller sitting down. Every protective instinct I have and about a hundred more that I didn’t realize existed rise up in my throat. There will never be a time anyone brings harm to even a hair on her head.
“What’s your schedule?” I ask.
She blinks twice, in the middle of shoveling a huge piece in her mouth. Damn. I wish I had ice cream. She licked that up like a cat at the restaurant. I almost came in my pants watching her. Her pink tongue sneaking out and swiping across her spoon will be all the material I need to whack off tonight.
“My schedule?” she finally answers after swallowing.
“Yeah.” She can’t be out there walking around this earth by herself. She’s too precious for that. A treasure like her needs constant protection. “Your student schedule. Like when do you get up in the morning”—and what do you look like? Is your hair mussed? Are your cheeks flushed? Do you smell like a sweet, warm body or something spicier?—“when do you leave your condo? Stuff like that?”
“Um, I usually get up early because I stretch and do some yoga. My classes start around ten, but we’re not in session yet. Monday’s the first day.”
Monday is basically tomorrow since it’s after midnight.
“Okay. I usually work out in the afternoon, but I’ll switch up my schedule. What do you want for breakfast?” I’m not a great cook. Hell, I’m not even a mediocre one, but I can buy a meal or ten. She tilts her head in confusion but answers, “Oatmeal.” Then she holds up her hand. “Wait. Why are you asking all these questions? Is Livvie paying for your bodyguard services? Because I don’t need them. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
I swipe the fork from the plate and eat a piece of the pie. “Who’s Livvie?”
Erika takes the fork back immediately, scowls and says, “My roommate. The one who asked you to come and walk me home from the frat party.”
“I don’t know any Livvie. I did a favor for Zeke Audley because I owed him one.”
