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I cracked a little smile because there was something about her prickliness that I liked. She wasn’t just smart. She was sassy and knew her worth. “It doesn't have to be a girl, but you looked particularly vulnerable in that skirt.” My gaze flicked down to the hottest, or maybe second hottest, skirt I’d seen her in. Man, did she have a thing for pleated skirts, and I was here for it. This one was riding high up her thigh because her backpack was tugging at the fabric. But I didn’t mention it in fear that she’d think I wasn’t just a stalker, but I was also a creeper.
She looked on either side of her to the empty grounds, as if that would help make a point. “You do know that the campus is safe, right? I do that walk all the time at night after my evening classes.”
I cringed. Wishing she hadn’t mentioned that because unbeknownst to her, that little fact was going to put me on edge for the rest of the month. After everything that happened with Thea, I wanted to be there to protect others, but when I tried it with Hayden, I just ended up embarrassing myself. I had to accept the fact that I couldn’t be the person to save everyone all the time. That didn’t mean I didn’t want to, though. “I wish you hadn’t told me that,” I said with a sigh.
She rolled her eyes, completely unbothered by my protective nature. “Where are you headed?” I asked, trying to look somewhat composed when, really, I was ready to drop to my knees and beg her to help me. I flicked my wet hair over my shoulder, and I couldn't help but notice she watched the water soaking into my shirt. Her eye twitched, and I was pretty certain she hated my hair, but the loose strands were fascinating to her, none the less.
“The Farrar Building. I've got Advanced Chemistry in about ten minutes.” She tried to walk past me, but it didn’t work. I just spun on my heel and kept pace, walking next to her.
“Advanced Chemistry?” I said in surprise. I knew this girl was smart, but I didn’t realize she was rocket science clever. “What’s your major.”
“Doesn't matter,” She quipped, tipping her chin high. “If I stay here to talk about it, I'm going to be late.”
And off she went again, damn near sprinting just to get away from me. Thankfully, I was right about those shoes. They were holding her down and made it easy for me to get to her. “What a coincidence. I also just so happen to be going there.”
“Really? Because, no offense, but you don't seem like the kind of guy that would be working in the science department. In fact, if I remember your classes correctly, you’re probably more aligned to the Stephenson Building of Business.”
So she’d looked into me enough to know that I was a Sports Marketing Major, but the fact that she remembered that surprised me somewhat.
“You’re right. I’m not. The Farrar building is right next to the gym.”
Her eyes tracked my face before she said, “But your hair's wet. Didn't you just come from there?” She narrowed her eyes, and she started walking, her pace picking up because she thought she could outrun me.
“Very astute,” I say, cracking a smile. “But I'm there a lot. Need to do a weight training session in an hour.”
She rolled her eyes and mumbled something under her breath about muscles and athletes. I didn't hear it, but I knew it was something relating to us being meatheads.
Aster stopped so abruptly that I nearly fell on top of her. Luckily, I was able to convert that potential fall into a sidestep dance. “What do you want, Tanner?”
“I need your help.”
“And I already said no.”
I raised my hands. “I know, and I totally respect that.”
“No, you clearly don’t. If you did, you wouldn’t be here begging for another shot. I don’t know what’s more annoying. That you can’t accept someone’s decision, or that you think you’ll be able to change my mind.”
“But-”
Before I could finish my sentence, she was off like a shot, stomping around campus like she had no idea her shoes made a terrible clanking noise as she walked.
“Okay, maybe thereisa little truth in your statements, but I’ve been thinking.”
“Sounds like that’s something new for you.”
I narrowed my eyes and let out a fake laugh. “I thought you and I could come up with an agreement that would make this worth your while.”
“Agreement?” She slowed on her feet, but I knew it was because she was ready to deliver some quippy response that would no doubt piss me off. “That would involve you having something that I want.” Her eyes dragged down my body as though that was the only thing I had to offer. Fuck, if it meant she'd tutor me, I'd offer her anything at this point. Eating her out, giving her multiple orgasms… whatever she wanted, I’d be more than willing to help her with. When her eyes flicked up to my hair, she held back a bemused smile. It made her look kind of cute. “And you have nothing I want.”
Well, thankfully, my dick was only half mast before that comment, which made it a lot easier to hide the disappointment.
Balking at the comment gave her enough time to spin on her heel and strut away like a self-important ballerina. If she thought that was the end of the conversation, she was mistaken. “I’ll pay you,” I called before matching her pace again. “Whatever you want. I don’t care if it would be considered extortion in most countries. I will pay whatever you want me to. I need help.” I shook my head, realizing I sounded desperate. “Scratch that. I needyourhelp and I will do whatever it takes to get it.”
“I’m sorry, Tanner. I’m busy.” If it were anyone else, I’d probably think she was being sincere, but I knew Aster had a strong distaste for athletes, so she was probably loving the fact that she had one hanging onto her every word, desperate for her to tell him what to do.
“It’s not just for me.” I cringed, rolling my head back on a grown because I knew this might be a little too exposing, but I needed to say it, anyway. “It’s for my sister.” She slowed, which felt like a start. “She needs to come here, and the only way I can guarantee her a place is if I don’t fail out first, and I need to get her out of her current college. It’s not right for her.”
“Wow, Tanner.” There was no sympathy in her voice, not even an ounce of pity. “You're trying to guilt me into this because bribery and groveling didn't work?” She shook her head. That cute little bun on the top shook along with it. “You really are something, aren't you?” She bit down on her bottom lip as if she was holding back on saying something. Knowing her, she'd spit it out soon. She seemed like the type of girl that liked a bit of revenge.
