Temptation (The Hunted, #1)(40)

When I walked into the room I was surprised to see that Tyler was already sitting in his usual spot. I had been expecting him to be seated on the opposite side of the room.

"Hey, Penny," he said as I approached.

"Is this from you?" I picked up the single red rose that was on my desk.

"Yes. Look, I'm really sorry about Saturday. I acted like an idiot."

I sat down and smelled the sweet aroma from the rose. Why can't he just give me the cold shoulder instead? He was so sweet.

"I'm sorry too, I..."

"You don't need to be. You've made it perfectly clear that you just want to be my friend. I just can't seem to resist making a fool of myself around you. But I'm going to try to start acting like your friend. No more hidden agendas. If that's really what you want. Because I just enjoy being around you."

"So you had a hidden agenda on Friday night when you came over? I had no idea."

"I mean, I did want to help you get better. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for a kiss." He laughed.

"Okay, Tyler. Friends for real?" I stuck out my hand for him to shake.

"Friends don't shake hands, weirdo." He high fived me instead.

Professor Hunter walked into the room and locked eyes with me. And then he looked down at the rose on my desk and his expression darkened. He ran his hand through his hair as he put his satchel on his chair. I could tell he was mad. Crap.

"Speeches start next Monday. And this time we'll go backwards in the alphabet. So last names beginning with Z through N will go on Monday and M through A will go on Wednesday."

Is he punishing me? Now I'd have to be one of the first people to present.

"I don't want nerves to be as big of a factor for this speech. It's important to feel comfortable in this room. So let's all share something a little more intimate today." He paused. "Oh, I have an idea. I had an amazing date this weekend."

A few girls in the classroom sighed but I ignored them. I was dying to see what Professor Hunter had to say.

"Romance, dinner. The whole package. So how about everyone shares what their ideal first date would be. And let's switch things up today and start at the end of the alphabet so we get a feel for how next week's speeches are going to go. Adam Zabek, start us off."

I tuned Adam out and tried to think quickly of what I was going to say. Did Professor Hunter want me to talk about our date too?

"Penny Taylor."

I stood up and said the first thing that came to my mind. "I like pi?a coladas and getting caught in the rain. And the feel of the ocean and the taste of champagne."

Most of the class laughed. Thank you, Rupert Holmes.

Professor Hunter smiled and leaned back in his seat. "Tyler Stevens?"

Tyler stood up. "Hmmm. My ideal first date is probably making love at midnight in the dunes of the cape."

I couldn't resist laughing. Professor Hunter's smile immediately disappeared. Damn it, Tyler!

Professor Hunter cleared his throat. "Okay. Let's move past the song lyrics."

I smiled at Tyler and he stuck his tongue out at me. After everyone was done describing their ideal dates, Professor Hunter started talking about enunciation. But when he turned to write enunciation on the board, I stopped paying attention. Instead, I was looking at how his khakis hugged his ass. And how he bit his lip when he was concentrating. When class was finally dismissed, I said goodbye to Tyler and waited for the class to empty out.

Not knowing what to do about the rose, I grabbed it and held it down by my side. Please don't be mad.

"I see that you are continuing your relationship with Mr. Stevens, despite my request," he said as soon as I was close to his desk.

"I'm not."

He eyed the rose in my hand.

"It's just a friendship rose."

He rested back on the side of his desk and folded his arms across his chest. "Penny, there is no such thing as a friendship rose."

"But we really are just friends."

He gave me a challenging look. "I'll be picking you up at 1."

I hadn't expected him to change the subject. I was busy thinking of examples of how Tyler and I were just close friends. "Wait, what?"

"I'm taking you on your ideal date."

"But, I can't. I have a class at 2."

He put his satchel over his shoulder. "So skip it."

"You're a terrible influence, Professor Hunter."

"I don't think you really believe that. I'll see you at 1." He winked at me and walked out of the room.





Chapter 31


Monday

"A delivery came for you," Melissa said as she stood up from her chair. She was all smiles.

There were a dozen red roses in a vase on my desk. I put my backpack down and walked over to my desk. A bow was tied around the vase, and a card was attached to it.



Penny,

I know that you think roses symbolize friendship, but believe me when I say that these ones do not. I hope you're excited for our date. Thank you for skipping class.

-James



The roses were beautiful. No one had ever bought me flowers before today. Except for my parents when I graduated from high school. I read the note again. It was sweet, even if he was a little cocky. And even though he was just trying to show up Tyler. But Professor Hunter was right, I was going to skip class.