Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“I’ll partner up with Carina.”
I gasp and attempt to drag my arm away.
“Excellent.”
What?
No!
Abso-fucking-lutely not!
Isn’t it enough that we’re next-door neighbors in the same apartment building and got stuck together in this class?
Being partners with him is the last straw.
No matter what I do, the universe continues to conspire against me. I can’t get away from him.
Ford Hamilton is everywhere.
And that includes all up in my business.
Dr. Bets has the audacity to wink at me. “Lucky girl.”
My guess is that the pinched expression on my face says otherwise.
Ford leans close enough for his warm breath to ghost across my flesh as he whispers, “She’s right, you know. You’re incredibly lucky to be working with me.”
I turn just enough to bare my teeth and growl before straightening and doing my best to ignore him.
This guy seriously brings out the worst in me.
Unfortunately, ignoring him is easier said than done.
Especially when he stretches out his long muscular legs, manspreading like the ass he is until his knee bumps mine. Hot licks of awareness ripple through me like a wave, and I quickly shift, moving as far from him as I can get. Then I refocus my attention on our professor as she goes through the rubric.
“If you keep moving away, I’m going to end up with a complex and think you don’t like me.”
Ignore him.
Do.
Not.
Engage.
“Is that what you’re trying to do? Make me work harder for your attention? ’Cuz I can—”
A hiss of air escapes from me as I turn and growl, “Shut the hell up! I’m trying to pay attention and you’re making that impossible!”
“Carina? Is there a question?”
I swivel toward Dr. Bets and shake my head. “No. Sorry.” My face heats as our classmates turn and stare.
“We all understand that you’re eager to work with your partner, but let’s finish discussing the expectations first.”
I press my lips into a tight line. If I open my mouth to argue, I’m liable to lose my shit and that’s the last thing I want to happen.
From the corner of my eye, I watch as Ford’s shoulders shake with silent laughter.
That’s the moment I realize there’s no way I’m going to make it through this project without strangling him.
Chapter Four
Ford
The second our professor releases us for the day, Carina jams her computer into her backpack and shoots out of her seat like her damn ass is on fire.
“Hey,” I call out, knowing it’ll annoy her but unable to stop myself. “Aren’t you going to wait for me? We’re not finished discussing our project.”
She gives me a withering stare. One that could shrivel my balls if I weren’t made of sterner stuff.
My gaze dips to the rounded curve of her ass as she stalks from the room. Once I shove my crap into my bag, I take off. Carina should realize by now that there’s no way to outrun me.
Not when my sights are locked on her.
It’s been that way since the day our parents introduced us, and in all these years, it’s never changed.
“Ford, do you have a moment?” Dr. Bets asks.
My shoulders tighten as I flick a glance at my sports watch. “Sorry, I have a meeting scheduled with Coach. Can we do this another time?”
Her lips curve into an understanding smile. One that’s meant to be sexy. “Of course. I’ll see you Friday.”
Yeah, that’s a lie. There isn’t a meeting. Unfortunately, if I give Carina too much of a head start, she’ll melt into the thick crowd of students moving across campus.
“Yup.”
And then I’m gone, sliding into the flow of traffic that congests the hallway. Since I tower a couple inches over six feet, I’m able to crane my neck and search the corridor for her blonde head.
Just as I turn the corner, I spot her pushing through the glass door into the weak morning sunlight that’s attempting to filter through the leaden-colored clouds. That’s all it takes for me to pick up the pace and force my way through the press of bodies.
As she reaches the concrete pathway, I pull up alongside her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were actually trying to leave me in your dust.”
Her spine stiffens as she stares straight ahead.
Her blatant disinterest only makes me hungrier for her attention.
“Weird. What gave you that idea?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the way—”
She grounds to an abrupt halt before swinging around and slamming her fist into my chest. Barely do I feel the punch.
“Fuck, that hurt,” she mutters, shaking out her hand as laughter sits on the tip of my tongue. I’m well aware that if I allow it to bust loose, she’ll wallop me again. Only harder. The last thing I want is for her to hurt herself. It’ll just be another transgression she holds against me.
“What was that for?” It takes a concerted effort to keep a straight face. Especially when her glare turns lethal. She’s on the verge of ripping me to shreds with her teeth.