Playing Hard to Get(32)

All right. This is better. She scoots closer to me, her arm bumping against mine briefly, and I inhale as discreetly as possible, breathing in her sweet, slightly spicy scent. I glance to my right and watch, transfixed as she tucks strands of dark hair behind her left ear, and when she lifts her head, she catches me staring.

I don’t look away. It’s like I can’t. This is some crazy shit. It’s obvious I need to get laid when I’m fascinated with a girl tucking her fucking hair behind her ear.

“Are you ready?” she prompts.

Nodding, I return my attention to the iPad and start reading.





THIRTEEN





JOANNA





I tried to keep it strictly business, I really did. I wore a plain black sweater and jeans and no makeup, beyond a little bit of mascara. My hair is straight and boring. Our conversation was tutor-based only. No personal questions allowed.

Then I caught him staring at my chest and realized my sweater is a little clingy.

My first slip-up.

He’s not thrilled to be reading, but I didn’t know what else to do. He definitely needs to practice though. The more he reads, the better he’ll get at it. And I really do need to sit next to him and watch him read, so I can spot if he fills in the wrong word or whatever.

That was my second mistake.

Sitting close to him is a complete distraction. He’s so warm. He radiates heat that makes me want to snuggle close, which is just…

A big no-no.

Then there’s the way I caught him staring when I tucked my hair behind my ear. Maybe he has a hair fetish? Is there even such a thing?

I have no clue.

Just before he started reading, I could hear him inhale, his head tilted in my direction. Like he was trying to smell me, which had me feeling all fluttery inside.

How am I supposed to resist him? He’s making it incredibly difficult.

Knox reads for ten minutes straight, and I don’t correct him once, even though I can tell he’s inserting words that don’t belong. I’m an utter fail at my job. I can’t concentrate. I’m too caught up in my thoughts about him and me. Us. And what exactly we’re supposed to do about it.

There’s something brewing, that can’t be denied. But no way is it serious. He doesn’t do serious. Right now, neither do I. He shouldn’t even be thinking about getting with someone. He’s supposed to be celibate, or whatever, so he can concentrate on school and football.

I refuse to be his downfall.

He finally stops, slouching in his chair and spreading his legs wide. His foot knocks against mine and I immediately jerk away, not wanting a repeat of our Tuesday footsie game.

“This sucks, Jo Jo,” he mutters.

“I know you don’t like reading—”

He cuts me off. “I’m all caught up with my English class. What’s the point in reading when I don’t need to?”

We angle our heads toward each other. “Are you saying you want to cut out early?”

“I…” He clamps his lips shut.

“Because you can.” My smile is overly bright. Terribly false. This is a better plan. Getting rid of him. Getting him away from me. “Go ahead. Have a great weekend. Good luck with Saturday’s game.”

“Uh okay. Thanks,” Knox croaks, his gaze dropping to my lips. He stares at them for a long time, his breaths coming faster as he shifts, leaning closer.

Closer.

I part my lips, anticipation filling me, my stomach twisting with nerves. Knox Maguire is going to kiss me. Knox is going to kiss— A phone buzzes, startling us both, and I realize it’s mine. I check it to see there’s a message from Natalie.

Nat: Better not be boinking Maguire in the library!

What the hell? Did she install a secret camera in here?

I put my phone on do not disturb mode and drop it onto the table face down.

“Who was that?” His voice is deceptively casual. Why would he even ask?

“No one.”

“Your ex?” Now he sounds blatantly hostile.

“No. Of course not.” He glares and I give in. “It was my friend. Natalie.”

The tension eases from him immediately. “She was with you at Logan’s?”

“Yes.” I nod. “We live together.”

“Oh yeah?” He rests his hand on the table, playing with the edge of my iPad case. “You guys close?”

“We’ve been roommates since we were paired in the dorms our freshman year.”

“That’s cool.” He won’t look at me and I’m fascinated with the way he traces his finger along the edge of the case. Back and forth, up and down. Lightly. Slowly.

Sensuously.

“How about you?” I broke my final rule by asking him a personal question. Damn it.

“What about me?”

“Do you live alone or with roommates?”

“Oh. I live with Cam.”

“Camden Fields?”

Knox nods. “You know him?”

“I know of him. He’s the quarterback.”

“Kind of like you knew about me?”

“Exactly how I knew about you.” He finally lifts his head, his gaze lingering on mine, and I get lost for a few seconds. He truly has the most beautiful eyes. “But I guess now I’m actually getting to know you.”