Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Seeing Blair’s mood lighten simply by opening a math book has me dumbfounded.
“You really like math, huh?”
“Yeah, I do.” She grins while flipping through the pages and reading my notes. “I like it because I know what to expect. It’s always the same.”
I don’t miss the fact that this is the first time she has elaborated on an answer. It might not seem like a lot, but it’s a start.
As I watch her read over my stuff, I analyze her words further. She likes math because it’s unchanging, and she knows what to expect? Does that mean she doesn’t like change or the unknown? If so, why? An irrational fear, or did something happen to her?
“I don’t like math because it doesn’t make sense to me. Especially this type.” I point a finger at the book.
“Is that why you are in such a foul mood today?”
“Not really. My whole body aches from today’s practice, and this weekend we have a game. There is just a lot of pressure to win against Blackthorn and to get my grades up.”
“You’re going to Blackthorn? This weekend?” She perks up, and I can’t help but wonder why.
“Yeah. What’s at Blackthorn that has you more excited than math?” She better not say a boyfriend. Fuck, that would derail my plans. Even if I have screwed a chick that was taken a time or two, I won’t do it just because I can. I have morals, not a lot, but some.
“Nothing.” She lowers her head frowning.
“You’re a shit liar. Tell me,” I press, determined to get it out of her.
Finally, she says, “I have a friend who goes to school there.”
“A friend?”
“Mmhhh.” She flips another page over. “What chapter are you on? Is there something, in particular, you have problems with?”
I know she’s only trying to change the subject, and I’m not having it.
“A boyfriend?” I ask, ignoring her question.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
God, she is infuriating.
“I’m on chapter five.” I guess I’ll have to try a different technique with her. “I hate riding in the bus, so I always drive my truck if it’s a close enough game.” I throw that bit of information out there, hoping she takes the bait.
“So, you drive there by yourself?”
“Mmhhh.” I mimic her from just a moment ago.
“It’s my friend, Mia. She goes there,” she explains.
I can see she wants to ask me something, maybe to tag along, but something is holding her back. It’s like we are playing a cat and mouse game. I’m the cat, trying to lure the timid mouse out of her hiding place, dangling a piece of cheese in front of her.
“Do you visit Mia often?”
“No, I haven’t seen her since before school started,” she almost whines. Her voice suddenly sad, her head and shoulders sagged forward in defeat.
Okay, I guess I’ll cave.
“Do you want to ride to Blackthorn?”
With her head still lowered, she looks up at me through thick coal black lashes. Her big blue eyes peer into mine, and I swear my heart skips a beat.
“You would do that? Give me a ride?”
“Sure. Under one condition–”
“Nope.” She shakes her head and crosses her arms over her chest. “Conditions are a no go. I won’t be conned into something.”
“Whoa, slow down. You don’t even know what I’m gonna say.”
“It’s probably bad.” She wrinkles her nose in disgust. “Something like you have to kiss me or show me your boobs.”
Now, that’s a good idea.
Grinning, I roll my shoulders. “It’s nothing like that, though you can still do those things if you want to.”
“Cage,” she groans with frustration.
The sound goes straight to my cock, zinging through me like a bolt of lightning. Fuck me. Slowly, please, Lord, fuck me slowly. I wanted to hear her say my name again, except this time, I wanted it to me more breathless, more yes, Cage, right there…
Shit, I needed to rein it in.
“Okay, okay, it’s nothing bad.” I clear my throat, ignoring my cock, which now has its own heartbeat. “There is a restaurant about halfway to Blackthorn in a tiny little town. It’s called Pops. They have the best burgers in the state. I always stop there when I pass through, and since it’s a tradition, and you’re riding along, you’re required to come. We stop and eat on the way. Together.”
Her cheeks turn the lightest shade of pink, and she drops her gaze to the open books in front of her. “Sounds a lot like a date.”
I lean back in my chair and place my hands behind my head. “Not a date. I don’t date. In fact, I barely talk to chicks, so you should consider yourself lucky. This is just food. Burgers. Fries. Milkshakes.” I smirk.
She chews on her bottom lip nervously, contemplating what I’ve said. I can basically see her thoughts turning in her head. Swirling like a tornado in water. I hope she says yes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t. It was a hassle to get her to do the tutoring. I can’t imagine she would want to go anywhere with me.