Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
I shouldn't have enjoyed the brushoff he gave the other girl, but I did. I more than enjoyed it. I saw the change in his eyes when they moved from her to me, the softness that came to them when he gazed at me. He wanted me. Just thinking those words has my heart beating faster.
He hadn’t wanted the night to end either. I’m actually thankful for the girl stopping us. Instead of us going back to my small dorm room that Liv and I share, we’re going to his place. It’s highly likely that Liv will be home tonight, so I’m thankful that we have the option of his place. I just want to get to know him a little bit better without anyone else around.
“Your hair,” he finally says. I look over when I feel him touch it, sliding a strand between his fingers. “It’s beautiful.”
His voice comes out gruffer than before. Maybe his throat is getting worse. I stop walking. He does, too, but his eyes stay locked on the thick chunk of hair he has in his massive hand. He continues to rub it between two fingers, completely fascinated with it. I make a mental note to keep it down around him.
“Does your throat hurt more?” I ask, making his gaze shift back to me.
“Sure.” He nods, but he says it in such a way that I’m not sure if it really does or not.
“It’s real,” I say with a laugh when he still doesn't let the strand go. “I’ll let you braid it after we get you some honey. You can do it while I eat my pie,” I tease.
He lets my hair go. A small look of panic hits his face. “I don’t know how to braid hair. I bet I can find a YouTube post that will show me.” He goes to pull out his phone, and I laugh.
“I was joking,” I say through laughter. “I mean, if you want to braid it, sure, have at it, but I know how to braid my own hair.” I grab my hair, braiding it in seconds. He watches closely as I tie off the end.
He reaches for the braid and pulls the tie free. My hair falls loose once again and he tucks the tie into his pocket. I go to protest that I need that hair tie, but he takes my hand in his and we start walking again. His hand doesn’t just take mine, it engulfs it. It’s warm and rough. My mind drifts to what it would feel like on other parts of my skin.
I lick my suddenly dry lips, not noticing at first where we are until we are stepping onto the elevator. I know this building. It’s where all of the kids with money live. And I know some professors have places here, too.
“You live here?” I ask. God, I really don’t know anything about Tank. Except his name. Which maybe is a huge, albeit seemingly insignificant victory when it comes to him.
He shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“And you go to classes here?” I’d just assumed.
“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.”