Temptation (The Hunted, #1)
By Ivy Smoak
PART 1
Chapter 1
Tuesday
I pulled my phone out of my backpack and scrolled through my messages. There were still no new ones. I dropped it back into my bag and stared into my coffee cup. He had told me he missed me, so I had come up to campus early to surprise him, but he hadn't returned my two calls. I shouldn't have made that second call. Now I was sitting in his favorite coffee shop hoping to casually run into him.
Luckily my roommate, Melissa, had showed up yesterday so I wouldn't have to be alone in our dorm room. We had walked up to Main Street, despite the rain, to buy our books, then spent the whole rest of the day catching up from summer break. Mostly we complained about our minimum wage retail jobs. It had been her idea for me to grab an early coffee here in hopes of running into him. She had even helped me with my hair and makeup this morning. He wasn't here though, and now I felt rather like a stalker.
My phone buzzed and I grabbed it eagerly. I slid my finger across the screen and looked down at the message icon. But it was just my alarm, reminding me that it was almost time for my first class. I had to get across campus. I hastily tugged the zipper of my backpack closed and lifted the strap over my shoulder.
The coffee shop was abuzz that morning. None of the other students were used to waking up this early either. Caffeine was a necessity. I grabbed my umbrella in one hand and my coffee cup in the other and squeezed my way past the other patrons.
The floor was slick near the exit from everyone tramping in and out into the rain. Despite Melissa's protests, I had worn my rain boots, and I was glad I had when my feet slid slightly on the linoleum. As I regained my balance, someone came bursting into the coffee shop. The door swung in and collided with my cup. Coffee splashed onto my shirt as my cup fell to the ground. As I began to slip again, I suddenly felt two strong hands on me, holding me steady.
"I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" said a deep voice.
"I'm fine." I kept my eyes on the ground. "It wasn't hot anymore." I left off the fact that it was cold because I had been sitting in the coffee shop for half an hour acting like a crazy stalker.
His hands slowly fell off my waist. "I'm afraid I've ruined your shirt."
I looked at the brown coffee stains that showed clearly on my blue tank top. "Oh, crap, I have an 8 a.m. I don't have time to change." I wished I had worn a coat to protect myself from the cool rain instead of bringing an umbrella.
"Here," he said. He put down his satchel and lifted off his gray sweater. The white dress shirt he was wearing underneath lifted slightly as he pulled off the sweater, and I caught a glimpse of his abs. I let my eyes wander to his face. It looked like he had stepped out of the pages of a magazine. He looked older, possibly a grad student. His hair was dark brown and wet from the rain. The way it was sticking up made it look like he had just run his hands through it. His jawbone was sharp and there were dimples in his cheeks. His eyes were a deep brown like his hair and they were staring at me intently. My heart began to beat fast. He handed me his sweater.
"That's okay. I can't take that," I laughed uneasily. "I'll be fine." I moved to the side so he could pass by me. I felt my cheeks begin to blush.
"I insist." He had a slight smile on his face. "First day of classes," he shrugged. "You'll want to make a good first impression."
I took the sweater from him. "Thank you," I said quietly. I pulled the sweater over my head. It was huge but comfortable. The scent of sweet cologne drifted off of it. It made me feel slightly dizzy. I could feel myself staring at him. "I'm sorry, I have to go, I'm going to be late." He was so handsome that I was acting even more awkward than usual.
His lips parted like he was about to say something, but then they closed again. I smiled gratefully and walked out of the coffee shop. As I made my way to my class I knew I must look ridiculous. A baggy sweater, leggings, and bright red rain boots. I must look like a child. But I was grateful. Coffee stains down the front of me would have been worse than a baggy sweater. Melissa was going to love this story.
Chapter 2
Wednesday
I looked down at my schedule to double check the room number before entering. After yesterday's embarrassment at the coffee shop I didn't want to make myself look like a fool today too. I was one of the first ones there, so I made my way to the back of the classroom. At most professors' annoyance, I was more of a spectator than a participator in class. This class was going to be my worst nightmare. Most people put it off until senior year, but I wanted to get it out of the way early. Now I was regretting my decision.
I sat down at one of the wooden desks all the way in the corner, pulled out a new notebook and pen, and stared out the window next to me. "Forget about Austin," Melissa had said last night after hearing my story. "I like the sound of this new guy. Plus he smells like a million bucks." I didn't disagree with her. I had folded the sweater and left it on my desk chair, but its smell wafted into the room. My dreams had been filled with coffee shop encounters with the stranger all night. Dreams where I didn't run away in his sweater and forget to ask his name.
"Welcome to Comm 212 - Oral Communication in Business. I am Professor Hunter." The professor paused in his introduction and I turned from the window to look at him. He was staring directly at me. I took a deep breath. It was the stranger from the coffee shop. He cleared his throat and looked away from me.