Her cheeks flushed red hot at the brazen thought. She didn’t gawk at guys, at least not any outside of the pages of a book. Those men were safe to swoon over. She couldn’t embarrass herself in front of a fictional man.
Clara tried to focus on game, but her hormones were already in overdrive. She had never responded to someone so intensely from just one glance. It unnerved her in every way possible, and yet, she found herself trying to steal another glimpse. This time, her eyes met his steel blue ones. Her heart pounded as she tried to force her cheeks from overheating. She couldn’t explain it, but something in the depth of her libido told her there was nothing innocent in the way he stared back.
* * *
“Adam!” Luke greeted from across the crowded floor. The party was in full swing, and each step into the apartment felt like one more worry falling off of Adam’s shoulders. Here with the bass pounding, drinks pouring, and beautiful ladies dancing, he was in his element. Adam found his way to the keg where Luke handed him a much-needed beer. “Man, you look like you just came back from a fight.”
You have no idea, Adam thought. The meeting with his mother yesterday had been a nightmare come to life. For over an hour, she chastised him for his behavior involving a certain teaching assistant and her shame of giving away passing grades for a couple of reckless nights. In exchange for her silence, the assistant was transferred to a new university with a clean record, but under the condition she would squash any future rumors. Angela Beaumont was furious at the man her son was becoming. She even went as far as to remind him how disappointed his father would be if he were still alive. Adam’s gut twisted with guilt, but what pissed him off the most was the moment she laid out her final ultimatum.
“Yo!” Luke called out. “Adam, you okay?”
Adam’s irritated thoughts were pulled away from the meeting and back to the party. Forcing a smile, he replied, “Yeah, man. I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Does it have anything to do with why you gave your apartment up to Corin?”
“Later.” Adam wasn’t in the mood to discuss why he was forced to move back into the family home, giving up his prized apartment. He would rather enjoy what was left of his night.
Determined to push the last of his mother’s harsh words out of his mind, he downed the contents of his beer and refilled his cup before venturing out into the mass of partiers. His eyes surveyed the beautiful women around him until they settled on a familiar pair that captivated him from the moment he stepped in the room.
She wasn’t his usual target, but there was something about her. He watched as her brown eyes darted back to the pong game, giving him ample time to assess her properly. Not that her beautiful gaze would have stopped him otherwise. Still, with her attention back on the game, Adam took in her full appearance and almost let out a groan. He had the impulsive desire to wrap those long legs tightly around him, pull on her brown strands, and show her precisely what the word pleasure meant.
As if she knew his thoughts, her brown eyes found him again, and like a fool, he looked away and immersed himself in a conversation with the nearest person. The girl before him looked as if she had won a prize. She batted her eyelashes and laced her words with heavy flirtation.
Any other day, he would encourage her efforts, but midway into their conversation, he found himself searching for the brunette. He didn’t understand why. She didn’t look like his type. He liked them easy, and this girl looked every bit of refinement. She would not bite at his lure like the usual women did. No, this one was different.
When he caught the brunette’s eye again, adrenaline raced through him as every ounce of blood made its way to one organ. He was hooked. He had to find a way to talk to her, even if it meant ditching the beautiful and very willing woman before him. Throwing out some lame "Excuse me" to the girl, Adam weaved in and out of the crowd.
His fingers twitched around his beer as he searched for the best way to introduce himself. It needed to be smooth. Something in his gut said his typical game wouldn’t work on her. When he noticed a familiar blonde standing next to her, he almost leaped with joy. Now, if he could only remember the girl’s name. Adam recognized her from somewhere, but with all of his blood currently taking a southern vacation, there wasn’t much left for his mind.
He must have done something right in his lifetime to please whoever controlled fate, because as he approached the table, the brunette cheered, “Rose, that was awesome!”
Rose! How could he have forgotten? She was the blonde Luke had his sights set on. With renewed confidence, Adam found his way in and congratulated his new friend Rose on her shot. He forced himself to keep his attention solely on Rose. If he played his cards right, his new friend would be making the introductions. And she did not disappoint.
“Adam!” she greeted. “Come to take your chances against Clara and me? Oh, Clara,” she turned to her friend, “you didn’t get to meet Adam yet. Clara, Adam. Adam, Clara.”
Yes, Fate would be getting a Christmas basket this year.
With introductions made and Rose’s attention focused on her next shot, Clara was left all to Adam. He sent her a grin he knew made women weak, but instead of the typical woozy response, Clara replied with her own striking smile and said, “It’s nice to meet you.”
Adam was almost at a loss for words. There was an air of innocence about her, which he was beginning to find extremely attractive. Despite the game going on, her brown eyes continued to shift back to him. He was intrigued by the quiet confidence she held. It was captivating, and he found himself asking questions to find out who she was rather than how to get in her pants. Her very tight, black pants. Adam’s heart accelerated at the thought, but he told himself to behave.
“So, Clara,” he said in the smoothest voice he could muster. “What made you choose Beaumont?”
“I didn’t,” she admitted in drunken honesty. “Well, not exactly. I applied for a bunch of scholarships.” With wicked concentration, Clara threw her little orange ball into one of the last two remaining cups. Putting their conversation on pause, she celebrated her good fortune with Rose. At the end of the table, Corin and Deacon looked stunned, but the game wasn’t over yet. Smiling, Clara returned her gaze to him and shrugged. “Beaumont gave me one, so it was hard to turn down.”
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t.”
Clara’s soft cheeks flushed pink as Adam topped his sentence off with a wink. She may be steps above his usual game, but she was still a woman. Flustered, Clara turned back to the table just as Corin and Deacon sunk their last two cups.
Game over.
Adam jumped at the opportunity. “That’s no way to treat two beautiful ladies,” his playful voice shouted over the music. “All right, my house, my turn. Clara, I’d be honored if you’d help me take the table back. What do you say?”
He flashed another brilliant smile and watched as her eyes shifted back and forth as if she were struggling with an inward battle. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, a motion that had Adam filling with primal desire to nibble it too. This woman had no clue what she was igniting in him. Or perhaps she did.
“All right,” she said and turned to face their opponents. “Let’s kick some ass.”
Adam almost let out a laugh. Everything about her screamed innocence and grace, and yet the spark in her eye and her choice of smack talk had Adam’s head in a spin. He wanted to know what else hid behind those big brown eyes, and perhaps what was under her yellow, flowing blouse.
Within the first couple of shots, Clara proved to be a promising partner. Corin and Deacon were going down, and as the balls fell on their side, Adam caught Clara finishing her drink. A small drop escaped down the corner of her lip. Embarrassed, her hand flew over her mouth. The way her tongue wiped the drop back over her lips sent Adam reeling. Never had he been so aroused by a simple motion.
Keeping his cool, Adam reached for her cup and whispered, “Here, let me get you another. Keep the
boys distracted until I come back.”
Adam watched with satisfaction as her cheeks turned rosy. He hoped his closeness had caused the shift in her body temperature. She fascinated him for reasons Adam could not explain. His tool attitude raced to his side to justify that Clara was something he’d never had before. His response to her was pure lust. Plain and simple.
As Adam made his way to the kitchen to refill both their cups, Corin cornered him. “What the hell are you doing, Beaumont?”
“Refilling our drinks, Sander. What’s with the attitude?” Adam asked, baffled by Corin’s outburst. Sure, the guy was a hot head, but there was usually a reason for it.
“I invited Clarabelle.”
So there is a reason, Adam mused. “Well, sorry to disappoint, but I think the lady can make her own choice.”
Corin puffed up like a blowfish. “Back off, Adam.”
Adam was enjoying the sight of Corin acting like a child. Clara, or Clarabelle, Adam thought, liking the sound of her full name on his lips, was old enough to make her own call. If she wanted Corin, then he would back down. Well … maybe. But if she preferred his company instead, Adam would be happy to oblige. He was a gentleman after all.
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll back down just because we’re friends,” Adam replied as he backed his way out of the kitchen. “But I can’t guarantee she’ll back off of me.”
Leaving Corin fuming behind him, Adam sauntered back towards Clara and their little game. He set his drink on the table and made sure to lean in extra close, grazing free hand across her lower back as he handed her the drink. It may have been his imagination, but he swore she stiffened under his subtle touch.
“My friend over there doesn’t look to happy I’m your partner,” Adam whispered into her ear. It took a bit of willpower not to give it a quick nip.
Clara laughed into her glass as she prepared herself for her next shot. The ball bounced high off the edge of the cup. As Deacon dove to retrieve it from the crowd, Clara turned into Adam’s tall frame and said, “I know. It seems he can’t take a hint.”
Adam’s eyebrow rose as he looked down the table at Corin’s scowl. So Adam was right. Clara had no interest in Corin. Adam didn’t blame his friend for the daggers he was sending their way. Hell, he would probably do the same if he were on the opposite end, but as fate would have it, Adam stood a chance with this tease of a woman. He would be damned if he didn’t take it.
With Clara still facing him, Adam pulled her into his solid chest and murmured, “Stay close and I promise to keep him off your back.”
The vibration of her laugh sent tremors down his spine. He moved away before a certain throbbing desire made itself known. He needed to end the game and fast if he wanted a chance to get Clara alone. He knew a girl like her would never put out the first night. To his own surprise, he hoped she wouldn’t, but if he wanted the chance to see her again, he’d have to seal the deal. And he definitely wanted to see more of her.
Chapter Four
Clara lay on her lofted bed and replayed the events of last night. She could not believe how ridiculous she had acted. She was a smart girl, smart enough to have a full ride to Beaumont, but a few smiles from an attractive guy and she was giggling like an obnoxious, hormone-crazed girl. She blamed his eyes. They were a memorizing shade between blue and gray, like storm clouds rolling in, and they poured over her with an unspoken promise.
“Wake up, sleepy head!” Rose sang as she entered the room. “I brought you a bagel and orange juice. Now, get up!”
Clara chuckled and inched her way off the bed. Her head was still pounding from last night’s drinks. “Thanks,” she managed to utter as she took Rose’s offering.
“Here, this is for the headache,” she said, handing Clara two small pills. “I need you in top condition for the football game this afternoon.”
“But I don’t want to go to a football game this afternoon.”
“Oh, come on! You have to. It’s the first of the season. Everyone goes! Our team might not be the best, but I hear the games are always fun. Please, Clara. Adam might be there.”
“So?” Clara tried to come off as disinterested, but her roommate was not convinced. Perhaps it was the rising blush warming Clara’s cheeks.
“Oh, please. I saw the way you two couldn’t take your eyes off each other. Just be careful. He’s cool to hang out with, but he has a huge reputation as a player. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Clara beamed at Rose’s concern. “Don’t worry. I figured he was. He looks the type.”
Rose nodded as she rummaged through Clara’s side of the closet. Holding up a pair of Rose-approved jeans, she pouted. “Please, Clara. You would look super cute in these and the shirt I borrowed from Luke.”
“What?”
“Well, I knew you didn’t have any school gear in your closet, so Luke said you can borrow one of his.”
Clara held up the over-sized jersey Rose tossed at her. “You couldn’t borrow from someone who wasn’t three feet taller than me?”
“He’s not that tall.”
“Still!”
Rose replied with the very definition of a puppy dog pout. Clara’s brown eyes rolled towards the ceiling, but she couldn’t suppress a smile. Rose was so much like Harper. It was no wonder why they became fast friends. Rose and her sister had both achieved the perfect pout to get what they wanted. Between the two, Clara was doomed. Heaven forbid the two ever team up.
“Fine,” she replied with a groan.
The pout prevailed.
* * *
“My shirt looks good on you,” Luke teased as he nudged Clara’s shoulder, almost knocking her into another group of students walking along the path leading to the stadium at the far end of campus.
“Yeah, maybe if it fit me properly,” she replied, opening her arms to show off the edge of the shirt floating around her thighs. “But thanks for letting me borrow it. I’ll have to go to the spirit shop and get my own if we’re going to make a habit of coming to these games.”
“Of course we are!” Rose answered. She was dressed head to toe in Mustang gear. “There’s nothing like being right in the middle of it all. Fans cheering. Your heart starts racing as you wait for your team to make the perfect play!”
“Well, someone’s a fan,” Luke said. From the amused look on his thin face, Clara had a sneaky feeling he was interested.
Rose blushed. “My Aunt Daph has always been a big football fan.”
Luke gazed down at Rose with starry eyes. Clara was positive something was brewing between those two. She could see it in Luke’s eyes at least. Giving him a chance with Rose, Clara moved closer to Deacon. Unlike the others, he didn’t seem overjoyed about the game. Clara could relate. She was delighted to discover he’d much rather be back in his dorm room … with a book.
“The guys have no idea how important this year is for all of us,” Deacon said. He was afraid all the partying would interfere with their studies, and the deeper each of them plunged into their separate programs, the greater the stakes.
Clara was beginning to like Deacon. He had a quiet presence and was just as serious about his studies as Clara was, but where she loved stories about adventure and romance, he preferred history. He was a no-nonsense type of guy, which made his friendship with the rest of the guys mind-boggling.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but how did you guys all become friends?”
With a hefty laugh, Deacon said, “I’ve known Adam almost my whole life. He’s as much of a brother as Luke is.”
“And what about Marcus and Corin?”
He shrugged, but the lack of excitement on Deacon’s face spoke volumes. “They started hanging out with us freshman year.”
That was all Deacon could say before Luke interrupted with chatter about the opening game. Apparently, their topic choice was not boisterous enough in Luke’s eyes. As they entered the stadium, the arena echoed with pre-game jitters.
Rose took a hefty swig before passing it to Clara. To new experiences, she toasted to herself. The liquid burned the back of her throat.
“There you go, bookworm,” Luke said. “We’ll make you a Mustang yet!”
Despite the busy stands, Corin and Marcus were easily spotted standing on a set of bleachers and waving their arms around to get the group’s attention. Luke helped the girls up on the seats as everyone shuffled across the hard metal. Clara took the far end away from Corin. She wasn’t up for fending off his advances today.
Clara took a moment to absorb her surroundings. The cool breeze tossed loose hairs into her face, signaling the end of summer, and yet, Clara didn’t mind. To her own surprise, she was excited for the upcoming semester. Her father would be shocked! Clara blamed Rose and the guys, and possibly the shot of alcohol warming her insides. Their eagerness to enjoy every new day inspired her. Maybe this was the adventure she desperately sought. Even Corin was growing on her, at least enough for her to tolerate his company.
Then there was Adam.
Her cheeks flushed at the thought of him, but she reminded herself not to fill her mind with delusions. She was not going to become another number on his ever-growing list. She was serious about her studies while he was a serious partier. Day and night had more in common than her and Adam. Still, she couldn’t help the warmth that spread through her at the thought of him. And it had nothing to do with Luke’s silver flask.
Clara was pulled from her thoughts when the crowd’s roar echoed throughout the stadium. Men scattered around the field as the brown ball soared through the air. Her father was never the type to get into the game, or any sport for that matter. Clara didn’t know the rules, but she was drawn in by the sheer energy of the fans.
The crowd was in the middle of another racy chant when Clara noticed movement from her right. She felt frozen as she watched Adam take her side. For a brief moment, she met his beautiful blue eyes, and time slowed down. Slow enough for a lump the size of the stadium to grow in the middle of her throat.
Tame the Beast (Ever After #1) Page 3