by Anna B. Doe
Just when I’m turning onto the third floor, something catches my attention.
Golden hair.
Fuck. It can’t be.
But it is.
Of-fucking-course it is.
This is getting ridiculous.
Callie stops in her tracks, her eyes wide open and locked on me. For a second, her mouth forms a little O in surprise, but then they press in a tight line. She glares at me, crossing her arms over her chest.
And then I notice what she’s wearing. She must have been in a shower because her hair is still wet, face scrubbed of all the makeup. A loose pair of sweats hang low on her hips, and she’s wearing one of those silky robes. It has long sleeves, but it’s loose around her neckline, revealing a good amount of her creamy cleavage and some kind of lacy camisole she’s wearing underneath it.
My mouth goes dry as my eyes zoom in on that patch of skin. My mind is already going in the direction it most definitely shouldn’t go. I grip the railing, holding back, until my knuckles turn white.
“Are you stalking me?
Chapter Seventeen
CALLIE
I swallow hard, not knowing what to do. My mind screams at me to run—hard and fast—and hide, but my body is glued to the spot.
To say seeing Hayden standing in the hallway just as I’m getting back to my room is a surprise would be an understatement. He lives off-campus, so there is no reason for him to be here, except…
“Are you stalking me?”
I watch as his eyes snap up to meet mine, his jaw going rigid. At least he’s not staring at my boobs anymore, so there is that. My nipples are hard peaks, and no matter how much I try to convince myself it’s all because of the change in temperature or whatnot, my mind calls me on my bullshit. My traitorous body’s reaction has nothing to do with leaving the steamy bathroom and everything to do with Hayden’s heated eyes glued to my body. My face is burning from his intense gaze, but I don’t break the contact.
Shifting slightly, I pull the edge of my robe closer, covering my exposed skin. Green eyes dart back down, tracing my every movement. His throat bobs as he swallows and I can see his tongue peek out, wetting his lower lip.
Shifting my weight from one leg to the other, I snap my fingers. “My eyes are up here, lover boy.”
He huffs, but there isn’t a trace of discomfort on his face. No shame or regret. Hayden lets go of the railing and slowly stalks closer, a mocking grin plastered on his lips.
I look around, suddenly aware that there is nobody in the hallway. We’re all alone.
How is that even possible? It’s nine p.m. on a weeknight. There should be people everywhere. But this is just my luck.
I’m not afraid of Hayden. I know he won’t hurt me, at least not physically. But as he nears closer, my heart kicks up a notch, a slow tremor spreading through my body. I grip the shower caddy I’m carrying tighter. Like it’ll save me from the big bad wolf coming toward me.
“I’m all man, babe,” Hayden whispers. His hushed voice touches my skin, making the tingles buzz underneath the surface. That all too familiar current of electricity that appears every time he’s near. Every time his skin brushes against mine.
Our toes are now practically touching, that’s how close he’s standing. His tall frame towers over me so he has to look down to get a glimpse at my face.
“What are you doing here, Hayden?”
“Just passing by.”
“Here?” I lift my brow and throw his earlier words back at him. “Out of all the places?”
“Trust me, if I knew you’d be here, I’d avoid this building like the plague. No matter how hard it is to believe it, not everything is about you, Callie.”
His little jab shouldn’t hurt, but it does. His words burn like acid, not like I’m going to show it and give him more power over me.
“Funny.” I tilt my head back to look at him. “I said the same thing about you. Well, you know where the door is. Don’t let it hit you in the ass on your way out.”
He inhales sharply, his whole body growing rigid.
Good. He’s not the only one with the ammunition to throw around.
I expect him to move, make a scene, anything, but he doesn’t. We glare at each other for a while, our gazes locked in a battle of wills. I’m not even sure how long we stay like that. Just staring. Just breathing.
My heart is pounding from the intensity of him. From his nearness, but I won’t be the first to back down.
Then he surprises me even more by taking a step forward. He’s leaning closer, so close his lips are brushing against my earlobe, his hot breath touching my skin. I close my eyes, a shudder running through my body.
He smells nice, manly. Like fresh soap, and an already familiar mix of sunshine and grass.
I shouldn’t notice it, but he’s everywhere at once, overwhelming me. Branding himself into my senses, into my skin.
My fingers curl tighter around the towel and caddy. Holding onto them like they’re my shield. His body is practically pressed against me. A barely there gap between us doing nothing to prevent me from feeling his body’s heat, tempting me to lean closer until there’s nothing between us.
Traitorous, traitorous body.
My lips part, tongue darting out to wet the dry surface. His eyes land on my mouth.
Hayden…
His name is a blessing and a curse at the same time. I’m not even sure if I called out to him out loud. But I can feel those two syllables on my lips. So maybe I did?
He’s so close, barely a breath away. It would be so easy to lean forward and close in on him. Feel him under my palms, know the way his lips would press against mine. So easy, so close, until he isn’t.
“Hayden?” Her voice is low, questioning. There is a pang of irritation in it, like she called a few times before getting a reaction.
Maybe she did. Maybe what I thought was me saying his name was actually somebody else. Her, whoever she might be. It doesn’t even matter. For some reason she already irritates the hell out of me.
Hayden jumps back like I’ve burned him and turns around to face the girl standing next to the stairs and looking at us.
Her dark eyes hold his gaze for a heartbeat, then they slowly travel over his shoulder and stop on me.
With heart thumping rapidly in my chest, the beat that has nothing to do with my inane attraction to Hayden Watson and everything with the accusing look on her face.
I recognize her from our Spanish class. She’s the girl that’s sitting next to him. Always touching him and whispering something in his ear.
So that’s why he’s here.
The hurt I most definitely shouldn’t be feeling spreads through me. And not just that.
Jealousy.
It’s so easy to recognize the feeling. After all, it’s not the first time I felt it. Not even close.
“You’re here early.”
Her words are for him, but her eyes stay glued to mine. Her message more than clear.
He’s here for me. Back the fuck off, bitch.
I roll my eyes at her just because I know it’ll piss her off. And I’m right, because her eyes instantly narrow even further.
With more bravado than I thought I possess, I plaster a smile on my face. My fingers touch his back and I can feel his body react to my touch. A sharp intake of breath. Hard muscles tightening. Pulse in the base of his neck racing.
I slowly trace the path from one side to the other.
“Later, Hades,” I say in a low, almost sultry voice. Making sure she hears it too, because I’m petty like that. I can pretend all I want that I’ve changed. But the sad truth is, some things? They always stay the same.
And then I do what I should have done in the first place when I saw him standing in my hallway—I run, not stopping until I’m safely in my room.
Yasmin’s head snaps up when the door shuts closed behind me. I lean against the hard surface, letting it hold me upright. My chest is rising in rapid succession as I try to r
egain control over my breathing. With wide eyes, I meet her surprised gaze.
“Are you okay?” Putting the pen down, she turns around to look at me. Her homework, or whatever she’s been working on, completely forgotten by my sudden outburst.
“I—” My mouth is still dry, my whole body shaking from the encounter with my nemesis. Licking my lips, I try again. “I saw Hayden.”
“Oh…” Her mouth falls open in surprise. “Where?”
“Here.” I tilt my head back, which earns me a kick in the head. Ouch.
Her eyes grow wide.
“That’s not even the worst part,” I say, unable to hold it back.
Her perfectly shaped brow rises with interest. “Do tell.”
“I think I almost kissed him.”
And what a clusterfuck that would be.
Her eyes widen at my admission. “No way.”
“Oh yeah, way.”
I’m not even sure how I feel about it. It’s so messed up, the way he makes me feel. Too much, it’s all too much every time he’s close. And I don’t know what to do about it.
“What are you going to do?”
What could I do? What really? I know there is something between us. Chemistry of sorts. There has been from day one. But I also know he hates me, with all the right. I ruined his life back then, and there is no way he’ll ever forgive me. Not that I deserve it.
Do you want him to?
Isn’t that the million-dollar question?
Pushing away from the door, I shake my head.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
Chapter Eighteen
HAYDEN
Tamara’s eyes follow Callie until she’s closed safely in her room. Only then does she face me.
I’m not sure what I was expecting. It’s not like I owe her any explanation or justification for my actions, after all, we’re just fuck buddies.
But when those clever eyes land on me, they make me squirm. I know I did nothing wrong, but somehow it feels like I did.
“What did you say again?” She taps her chin like she’s thinking, but we both know it’s all bullshit. “Oh, yes. It’s not like I give two shits about the Beast.”
I rub my hand over my face, suddenly tired and completely done with this day. “Tamara…”
“Don’t you Tamara me!” she whisper-yells pointing a finger at me.
Just at that moment, a few girls come from down the hallway. They give us curious glances as they pass by.
Lowering my voice, I continue. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to explain to me what the hell is really happening between you and that girl.”
I look around when more girls come down the hall. Where the fuck were all of them when I was getting so up in Callie’s personal space we were practically glued together? And what the fuck was with that shit? It’s like every time we’re in the same room I lose the ability to think clearly. I know what would be the most logical thing to do, but do I do it? Of-fucking-course not.
“Can we go to your room?” I ask, rubbing my face.
The last thing I want is to have this discussion with her out in the open. Although not having the discussion in the first place would be better.
“Are you going to give me some answers?”
“I don’t…”
“Then no.” She stops me brusquely.
“Tamara,” I try again, but she’s already turned her back to me, her foot on the first step, her hand gripping the stair rail.
“I knew what I was getting into with you. I know how you roll, Hayden, and it worked well for both of us. Yes, you were a playboy, but you were never an asshole. But since that girl came, you’ve changed. And not for the better either.”
My hands clench into fists by my sides, but I don’t say anything. Mainly because I know she’s right. Although I don’t want to admit it.
“When you figure your shit out, then we can talk.”
With those last words thrown over her shoulder, she continues her ascent, not turning once.
Well, fuck. Pissing off two different women in a matter of minutes. This has to be a new record.
As soon as I open the door, I can hear loud shouting followed by the sound of metal hitting against metal.
“What the fuck, man? No, no, no!”
“Take that, you stupid shit.”
Deciding I could use some company, I follow the sound of my friends’ voices all the way to the living room. Zane, his buddy Spencer, and Emmett are sitting on the leather couches that take up most of the room.
“What are you dickheads up to?” I ask as I take the open seat next to Spencer. Half a six-pack and some snacks are on the coffee table in front of them. Leaning forward, I grab one of the beers and pop it open, taking a long pull.
I don’t make a habit of drinking during the season, but some days simply call for it more than the others.
They all say their hellos, barely—if at all—moving their eyes from the game.
“You already back?” Zane asks as he slashes through monsters on the screen.
“Yup.” I lean down and watch them play. Without even asking, I know what game it is. The new one Maddox has been working on. Since he learned about our love of video games, he recruited half the football and hockey team to beta test it. “How long have you assholes been at it?”
“A while.”
“Maddox did some improvements to the game and asked us to try it out,” Emmett chips in. “Oh fuck, not again.”
He throws himself back, remote slipping out of his grasp and falling on the floor as his character’s blood is splashed all over the screen.
We all laugh at his dramatics. The guy can be a real drama queen sometimes. Between him and Nixon, we could form a theatre club or something.
“Dude, it’s like the third time you fell into the exact same trap.” Spencer chuckles.
“You think I don’t know it. I swear to you, Maddox does that shit on purpose just to spite me.”
“Yeah, right.” I shake my head at him. “Just admit it. It has nothing to do with Maddox and his superior brain, like he doesn’t have anything better to do. You suck—plain and simple.”
Emmet crumples his empty beer can and throws it at me. “I don’t suck. He’s still trying to get back at me for mocking him for having a skinny ass.”
“Whatever makes you feel better, man.”
I lean over the back of the couch to get a look at the kitchen, but it’s empty. “Where is Maddox anyway?”
“You know how he gets.” Zane shrugs and gives me a side-eye. “What happened to you? You got here fast.”
I glare at Emmett. “Couldn’t keep your mouth shut?”
“Hey, it wasn’t me.” He lifts his hands in surrender.
“Then who was it?”
Seriously, sometimes these guys are worse than a knitting club.
“That would be Nix.”
I should have known. “That asshole.”
“So what happened?” Emmett wiggles his brows, making a show out of checking the time. On his watch-less wrist. “Because dude, that was some fast fucking. Did you even make her come or was it just wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am kind of thing you have going on?”
“I knew you were a selfish bastard,” this comes from Zane who paused the game to give me his full attention.
“We didn’t even get to that part,” I mutter, remembering the fiasco that happened in the dorm. “And no, asshole. I make sure every girl I take to bed gets off, thank you very much.”
“Are you sure they’re not faking it?”
They all choke on laughter at that one.
“Har, har, har. You’re so funny.”
“But seriously, what the fuck happened?” Zane asks once their laughter dies down. “I thought Tamara was a sure thing?”
“She was, but then Callie-fucking-Steward happened,” I grit through my teeth. I can still see her standing in that hallway, drenched like a mouse. Okay, there was nothing mousy about her
. Not her wet hair that turned a few shades darker from the shower. And sure as hell not that silky camisole and robe she was wearing that did nothing to hide her erect nipples. Even just thinking of her makes my body react.
Fucking hell, just what I need—getting a fucking hard-on from fantasizing about my worst nightmare’s nipples.
Shifting in my seat, I try to push the thoughts of her out of my mind.
“Oh, man…” Zane groans loudly, his face turning grim. He’s the only one in this room who knows about my past with Callie. “What the hell happened now?”
“Wait, is that the chick with the scar?” Emmett asks, looking between the two of us for answers. “Are you like banging her now?”
“Yes, and hell no. There’s no way I’m touching her with a ten-foot pole. But apparently she lives in the same dorm as Tamara.”
“Damn, it’s like you’re cursed.” Emmett laughs, shaking his head. I seriously need new friends because mine are for shit. “So you what, stumbled into her? Wait, don’t tell me they’re roommates! You and Tammy were going at it when she stumbled on…”
“Fuck no! Even I can’t have that bad of luck. I saw her in the hallway, and then she accused me of stalking her. Me! How fucked up is that?”
“Man, what did you do to that poor girl?” Emmett asks through fits of laughter. I think I actually see him wiping at the corner of his eyes.
“Me? She’s the one who fucked me up, not the other way around.”
“No shit! What did happen?”
I wave him off, not in the mood to go down memory lane. “Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I try avoiding her and she just keeps popping up everywhere I go. The next thing I know, she’ll be in the fucking locker room.”
“I don’t think Coach will find her a good fit for the team, on the other hand, she’d make a pretty badass mascot so you never know.”
I glare at him. How can he joke like that?
“Who is our team mascot?” Nixon asks as he enters, going straight for the fridge.
“Callie would make a pretty cool mascot,” Emmett is all too happy to repeat. “We could get her a black outfit with feathers. She’d make a cute little raven.”