by C. M. King
I stood mesmerised in the doorway, watching him hum and tap the spoon along to the beat, as his muscles flexed with each and every movement. Everything about him was just so captivating. I would often find myself just lost in the moment, as I took him all in. The majority of the time I managed to get away with it, but on the odd occasion he had caught me out, and the smile he wore each time told me he knew it.
But I was not even close to forgiving him for his earlier stunt, so I breezed through into the kitchen, purposely giving him the cold shoulder.
Joel spun around grinning but I’d had enough of his cruel games, he didn’t deserve my attention. I secretly took great delight in knowing my deathly silence would soon get to him.
His lips curled up into a grin, clearly enjoying my little act. His eyes surveyed my every move, as he waited patiently for me to look at him.
But I refused. I would not break.
“Do you want a cuppa Iz? I’m making one for us.” His eyes burned into me, waiting for some kind of acknowledgement. I carried on ignoring him, grabbing a cup before reaching into the cutlery draw for a teaspoon.
I leaned past him to get the coffee jar but he grabbed it, quickly holding it aloft, out of my reach. I blew out some air in frustration. It was all just one stupid joke to him. He always did get such enjoyment from torturing me, you would think he’d be bored by now but still the games continued.
I jumped up to grab it, but he stepped back, much to my dismay.
“If you want the coffee you have to speak to me Iz.”
Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.
I tried several more attempts to leap up to grab it, but it was beyond useless.
I squealed in frustration. “Just give me the coffee Joel.” I stood back and crossed my arms over my chest. I was not in the slightest bit amused, I was about to blow.
“Say please and I will,” he answered smirking.
Ugh, I wanted to knock that smug smile off his face so bad. Here we were back to playing these childish little games, he so easily got a thrill from.
“Please,” I muttered, hoping it would end my torment.
“Please what?” he asked chuckling.
I glared at him as I knew exactly where this was heading. “Please Joel, can I have the coffee.” I moved towards him but he stepped back, holding the coffee in the air.
“Uh huh, please Joel you are the king and the master and I’ll maybe think about it. ”
What a complete idiot.
I shoved him back hard and he let out a small groan, when he hit the counter. “Get stuffed, I’ll go out and get a coffee, I’m not stroking your ego you’re big headed enough as it is.”
“I know what I would like you to stroke,” he remarked grinning. He suggestively raised his eyebrows, emphasising the point further.
Oh god.
His words had the intended impact and I instantly felt my face flush. “Fuck you Joel.”
I needed to get out of here.
Now.
I spun around to storm off but he grabbed me, pulling me back into his hard chest. With one arm holding me in place, his other hand tucked the loose strand of hair behind my ear. I groaned softly when his fingers brushed lightly against my skin, gently stroking my cheek.
“Only joking Iz,” he whispered.
I felt his hot breath tickle against my face, sending shivers down my spine. He breathed deeply, pressing his nose against my hair, before placing a soft kiss there.
I gasped lightly in shock, it was such a sweet move that it threw me. It was so completely out of character and I needed a minute to process it all. I stood clutching his arm and he held me for a few more moments longer.
He slowly released me and I stumbled a little, shaken by the fact I’d been wrapped in his arms only seconds before.
I quickly grabbed the coffee to keep myself occupied, turning my back to him. I needed to quickly regain some kind of composure.
After a minute I heard him start whistling and he headed back upstairs, acting like nothing had happened. Which was typical Joel and unfortunately for me the story of my life.
Chapter 2 - New Beginnings
The alarm woke me early and I groaned, instantly hitting the snooze button and snuggled deeper into the pillow. I refused to leave this bed just yet, well not until I really, really had to.
I was not a morning person.
I hated everything about this time of day. I had to get several cups of coffee inside me, before I practically felt human again.
Five snooze delays later.
I admitted defeat and dragged my tired cranky body out of bed, heading for the shower. It was my first day at college, and turning up as a sleep zombie I was guessing was not an option.
Stumbling towards the bathroom, my eyes snapped up to the sudden flash of white. As I took in the sight before me, of Joel stood in just a towel.
Holy shit, I was now awake.
His lips turned up in delight at my reaction and he chuckled, as the usual blush crept over me.
Great!
Just to add to my embarrassment.
I involuntarily flicked my tongue over my lips, zoning in on the beads of water that clung to his hard chest. God I wanted to lick those off so bad.
He grinned, like he could read every damn thought in my dirty little mind. I was probably an open book right now, with every single emotion on display.
Fantastic.
“Like what you see?” he asked teasingly. His eyes were alight with amusement, staring tantalisingly deep into mine.
Did he even need to ask?
I swallowed slowly. I knew I needed to remain calm, but a large part of me was all for lunging forward to act out my fantasy.
“You know you’re not all that Joel,” I retorted.
Wow, worst reply. Ever.
He grabbed my arms and pulled me into his tight, hard body. “I think your face is telling me different.” His warm, minty breath tickled softly against my face and I shivered, feeling the effects all the way down to my toes. But it was his cocky tone that soon sent me crashing back down.
I wrenched myself free of his hold. I hated this whole egotistical side of him, it was that part that always brought me back to my senses.
Why did he have to act this way?
I scowled and stormed past him, slamming the bathroom door in disgust. But not before I caught sight of his amused smirk, as he shot me a playful flirty wink walking off.
* * *
After Joel’s unexpected bathroom encounter, the morning had grown steadily worse. I arrived at college to collect my welcoming literature, and to grab a coffee before the opening lecture. So far I’d collected the pack but I was still yet to enjoy a welcoming caffeine fix. Plus despite having the aid of a map to direct me, I was now outright lost. I could feel my mood growing darker by the minute.
I threw my bag over my shoulder, mumbling away in anger but I was too caught up in scrutinising the map, to notice just what I was about to smack right into.
The pain was instantaneous and I reeled back in complete shock.
I was actually seeing stars.
I clutched my head in pain as my eyes flicked up to find it was no wall, but actually a rock, hard chest. His hands grabbed me, steadying me and I stumbled slightly, still dazed from the collision.
“Hey, sorry about that,” a husky voice said, chuckling above me.
I glared up in his direction, to find a cute, blonde shaggy haired guy towering over me, dazzling me with his smile.
“Are you okay? Sorry I was too busy texting to notice, but hey, you can crash right into me anytime darling.”
Yeah. Worse chat up line. Ever.
A scowl crossed my face and I quickly pulled away from his hold. I had no desire to be hit on. I was just about ready to storm off, when I noticed I was now minus a map. My eyes scoured the floor in search of it, ready to make a hasty exit.
Where the hell was it?
Though I didn’t know why I was bothering, so
far it had been about as useful as a chocolate kettle.
“You’re new right?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
His brown eyes twinkled with obvious delight. They left mine to wander slowly up and down my body, as his tongue flicked over his bottom lip.
Genius and a pervert.
Lucky me.
“Yeah, I’m trying to find 40A, I have a lecture there in less than ten minutes,” I replied, plastering on a fake smile.
I just wanted to leave.
“Well let me escort you to your room, we can’t have newbie’s getting lost now can we?” He winked, with his cheeky smile still in place.
He bent down to retrieve the map from the floor. As his other hand touched my lower back, guiding me back down the corridor.
Hmm, patronising and forward. The guy just keeps on giving, but if he led me to the correct room, I’d be grateful forever. The thought of walking into a packed lecture hall late, was enough to make me bring up the entire contents of my breakfast.
“Here we are,” he chirped and I scowled. We’d barely been walking less than a minute. He chuckled at my look of annoyance. “You were nearly right, just needed to take a left instead, but then you’d never have met me, fate brought us together.”
I hated fate right now.
“Thanks again,” I bit out and took back the map, desperate to make my escape through the door.
“Anytime, hope to see more of your pretty face around college.” His hand gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face. His fingers grazed against my skin, as his eyes lingered looking deep into mine.
Oh god.
I inwardly shivered, breaking the contact.
I hoped not.
I gave him one last smile of gratitude, as I swung the door open. It came out more forced than sincere. He smiled walking backwards, and saluted me before he headed on his merry way.
Once inside I noticed the room was heaving and filling up fast. There were a number of empty seats dotted around, but I headed for the back. Hoping to lurk amongst the shadows, where there would be less chance of being noticed.
I caught a few people’s eyes walking up. Their welcoming smiles appeared warm and friendly, where mine in return were more of a grimace. I never did do well around anyone new, my awkward side always managed to make an unwelcoming appearance.
The lecture began and judging by the amount of handouts we’d been given, it was going to be a long and tedious morning. Luckily for me I’d planned ahead, I liked to prepare for these inevitable situations.
Pulling out my notebook and Ipod, I discretely slipped in my earphones. The inane chatter was soon replaced with the rockier tones of Nirvana. I retrieved my emergency bag of skittles from my bag, for a much needed energy boost. They were my only chance of surviving this long morning.
The moment my pencil hit the paper, my mind instantly wandered. Going back to that moment, with just Joel and the towel.
That damn towel.
I cursed it to hell, for concealing the part of him that held the most intrigue.
I shifted uneasily in my seat, imagining if the towel had in fact slipped. I smiled at my not so innocent thoughts. I had thought about removing it, believe me it would have answered a lot of questions.
I licked my lips, feeling the heat spread throughout my body. The mere thought of a naked Joel made me want to lose all control. I glanced down at my mindless doodling, to find I’d subconsciously scribbled Joel’s name like a hundred times.
What the hell?
I ripped the page out in disgust and screwed it up into a ball, tossing it in the bin. I turned to the next empty page, and began sketching the guy sitting in the row in front of me, to my right. He was providing the perfect side profile, and the fact he was a dead ringer for Edward Cullen, only intrigued me to draw him even more.
The bell rang signalling lunch and I suddenly felt a shadow cast over me. I shifted slightly in my seat, only to find a pair of prying eyes peering over my shoulder.
“Hey, that’s really good,” he remarked from behind. His warm breath tickled against my cheek, as I breathed in his delicious scent.
“Thanks,” I replied smiling. I was rather proud of my morning’s handiwork. I’d really managed to capture his good side.
I quickly closed the pad and slipped it back into my bag, before the Edward Cullen wannabe noticed. I didn’t wish to be known as a stalker on my first day of college, no one ever shook that kind of label.
“He does have that sexy Edward Cullen vibe about him, wonder if he bites? I hope so.” He chuckled.
I turned to see his face was lit up in amusement, as he continued mindlessly staring at the Edward wannabe. He licked his lips, like he was imagining the very thought. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d be the one doing the biting. I chuckled at the very idea. He really was a good-looking guy, but it was pretty obvious by the way he was mentally undressing the Edward muse he was gay.
Typical.
His sandy coloured hair was styled into a meticulously perfect quiff. I could tell from that alone he was a perfectionist. His large, brown eyes sparkled with mischief and I smiled, wondering what kind of trouble he had in store.
He was about 6 ft tall and broad. He wasn’t as big as Joel muscle wise but he was clearly defined. Just by looking at him, I could see he had a great sense of style when it came to clothes. He dressed more for his own individual style, which was more unique and suited his personality.
“He may even sparkle too.” I laughed too loudly at my own joke, before cringing slightly. I tossed the sweet wrapper into the bin, making a mental note to buy some more later.
“Hey, I’m Elijah,” he said smiling. “Do you fancy hitting the canteen? I have a craving for chocolate fudge cake that needs fulfilled.” He widened his eyes, as if to emphasise his need further.
He was a man after my own heart. I think I’d officially found my cake soul mate.
“I’m Izzy,” I said smiling. “After this morning I need the extra sugar to get me through this afternoon.” It had been a long morning and I was expecting the afternoon to be even slower.
“Yeah, it’s going to drag, I’m going all out with the carbs, then get sleepy and doze for the rest of the afternoon.” He grinned, beginning to chuckle.
I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. “Sounds like a plan.” I smiled, looking up into a pair of cheeky, warm, chocolate brown eyes.
He was going to be a lot of fun, I could just tell.
* * *
Walking into the cafeteria the tables were already beginning to fill up fast. I looked out onto a sea of faces, only to spot the blonde guy from earlier.
Seriously?
I snapped my head back round just in time. I knew I had to keep a low profile, if I stood any chance of escaping his creepy clutches. I just hoped fate would be kind, but it always had a nasty habit of kicking me in the teeth.
I discretely stood behind Elijah, shamelessly using him as a human barrier, as I monitored the enemy. He hadn’t noticed me so far, he was completely caught up with the buzz and chatter on his table. His laughter was loud and could be heard from the other side of the room. He really didn’t care about all the stares he was attracting. I was slightly envious he had the ability to just enjoy himself, without worrying about the attention he created.
We grabbed some trays and worked our way along. The mixture of different aroma’s filled the air. My eyes widened passing each and every plate. I started loading up my tray, with all the necessities. I definitely needed them to get me through, what was looking like a long and arduous afternoon.
I looked over at Elijah and chuckled, his tray was loaded with every form of junk food imaginable. I guess he really was going down the death by carbs route.
Both our eyes widened approaching the cake section. We stood contemplating but the decision was taken out of my hands the moment Elijah nudged me, grinning wildly. He pointed towards the ultimate indulgence, hot chocolate fudge c
ake with cream.
I needed that in my mouth now.
We zigzagged our way through the crowded tables, scanning the room looking for an empty one. Elijah tapped my arm and pointed to one by the far corner. We manoeuvred by the last few tables and I unwillingly caught the attention of the blonde guy from earlier on.
Oh god no.
His smile dazzled me and he winked as he mouthed the word ‘fate.’
I inwardly grizzled.
If fate were a person right now, I’d punch them in the face.
Shaking my head in irritation I quickly scrambled after Elijah. We sat down opposite each other, unloading our trays. Our eyes grew bigger at the feast set out before us. I began unwrapping my sandwich as Elijah chuckled, taking a long sip of his drink.
“What?” Oh god did I have something on my face? I brushed my hand repeatedly over my skin, in an attempt to remove the offending article.
“Somebody already has an admirer,” he chirped in a singsong voice. A huge smile broke out over his face, as he leaned back in his chair, with his eyes monitoring my reaction.
Why me?
I scowled and grabbed my drink, quickly unscrewing the cap. “He’s not an admirer, he helped me find the lecture hall this morning.” I took a long, hard swig of my drink, so I didn’t have to elaborate further. I wasn’t interested in any guys.
Well, apart from Joel.
Mmm, sexy, wet Joel in just a towel.
God my insides were about to explode at just the mere flashback.
I needed to calm the hell down.
“Well your admirer is heading this way.” He chuckled, taking a large bite of his burger, to mask his smile behind the bun.
No no no. This was not happening!
“Hey, sexy newbie, what did I say about fate lending a hand?”
I rolled my eyes and tensed slightly, when he pulled up a chair, sitting right down beside me. He obviously didn’t have an issue with invading someone’s personal space. Our bodies were practically touching, much to my disgust.
“It’s a college that we both go to, there will be times we’ll bump into each other, fate has nothing to do with it,” I snapped, taking a bite of my sandwich.