Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 75195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Then, Tristan directed his gaze to me, practically shooting daggers my way.
A lump formed in my throat.
What are you doing here?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Confessions
Stunned, I strode towards Tristan.
My heart pounded in my chest, and my mind raced. A mixture of surprise, confusion, and an undercurrent of anger swirled inside my body.
No where on today’s bingo card did I have Tristan showing up at the end of Dr. Hartman’s lecture.
How the hell did he even know I was in this building? This room? What is going on?
Once I got to Tristan, my voice betrayed my surprise. “What are you doing here?”
His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. “Who is he?”
“What?”
His voice held a dangerous edge and his eyes never left mine. “The guy you were talking to.”
I steadied myself. “That’s none of your concern.”
“What did you put in his phone?”
I quirked my brows. “Are you serious right now?”
“Very serious.”
I held out my hands. “Tristan, what are you doing here?”
His gaze grew dark and intense. “Will he be your new study partner?”
I frowned.
“You gave him your number.”
My voice wavered. “Again, none of your concern.”
Tristan closed the distance between us.
I stumbled back.
And, he came closer, forcing me to press against the wall behind me.
More students hurried by, surely wondering what the hell was going on.
Meanwhile, his presence—so damn close—made my body heat. His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Maybe it’s not my concern, but I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.”
“There’s nothing for you to be jealous about—”
“I didn’t like the way you looked at him—”
“I didn’t like the way you kicked me out of your condo—”
“That was a mistake. A huge fuck up. One that I’m hoping to remedy today in any way possible.”
I parted my lips.
He leaned in.
My breath quickened.
Heat radiated off his body.
My heart fluttered inside my chest.
I wanted him to kiss me so badly, but at the same time, a part of me resisted.
I cleared my throat. “So. . .you’re here to apologize?”
“And take you out to lunch.”
I blinked.
The intensity in his eyes made it hard for me to look away.
The remaining students left, their voices fading into the distance.
“Last time we spoke. . .I was rude. Dismissive of your feelings and. . .just. . .an asshole.” He frowned. “I’m sorry, Nova.”
My bottom lip quivered.
“I was out of line. Probably because. . .I was. . .uncomfortable. . .” He sighed. “But, you have been on my mind since you left my studio.”
My heart raced even more.
He reached out and touched my face. An instant electric current surged through me. His thumb stroked the softness of my cheek. “I know I don’t have a right to ask for anything. . .but can you give me one more chance?”
I bit my lower lip.
He leaned in closer, his breath warm on my skin. His lips were just a whisper away when I spoke up again. “Just one more chance?”
I could feel the heat of his body, the warmth of his breath, the weight of his gaze. Everything about him drew me in, tempting me, calling to me.
But there was also fear, doubt, the lingering pain of his previous rejection.
I looked into his eyes, searching for answers, for reassurance. What I saw was raw honesty, vulnerability, a man struggling with his own feelings, his own mistakes.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself and gathering my thoughts.
No. No. Don’t do it.
Somehow, I slipped out of his touch and went to the side, putting distance between us.
He followed me with his gaze.
I shook my head. “I don’t think it would be a good idea.”
He adjusted his position in front of me as if planning to block my way out of there. “Why not?”
“It would be a waste of time—”
“How?”
“I don’t want to waste my time or my emotions on something that’s just going to be fleeting.”
“Who says this would be fleeting—”
“You don’t want anything, but sex and to go to a party—”
“Honestly, I don’t know what I want.”
I widened my eyes.
“I just know that I want to spend as much time with you as possible.”
“Why?”
“Because I enjoy you, Nova. Because you are deep within my mind, embedded within my soul. Because when I pick up my paintbrush, your face appears on the canvas.”
I shivered.
“Because I doubt I will be okay if I don’t spend time with you this week. Because. . .I desperately need you.”
I tried to push away the emotions rising within me. “You. . .don’t need me.”
“I do.” His eyes watered. “Now more than ever.”
“Why?”
“I just lost a dear friend.”
“Oh my God.” I stepped close to him. “I’m sorry.”
“I will be okay. I just need time.”
“I really am sorry.” I got on my toes and wrapped my arms around him.
Sighing, he buried his face in my shoulder. His body trembled as he let out another deep sigh of anguish.
We stayed like that for a few minutes.