“Figures,” grunts Alex as he begins to pull his big body back upward. I practically have to crane my neck all the way back to see his face when he’s at his full height. With his large hand, he reaches for mine, and I give it to him. My much smaller hand, literally, fits into his palm. I like how it feels. I can’t seem to help doing what this guy wants. I’m drawn to him. He’s so big, but not in a scary way. No, it’s reassuring and safe.
“I’ll walk you back to your room. Let’s be sure Brad’s gone.”
I’m grateful he wants to go with me. I’m not ready for another confrontation with Bradley. As we walk over to the elevators, he rubs his thumb over my inner wrist, and it makes my entire body tingle. People are still milling about, watching us with curious stares, interested in the current drama, I guess. When we enter the elevator, a surprising number of people attempt to get on with us. Alex shakes his head slowly, and they stop and back away from the doors, leaving us alone in the elevator. Weird.
“What floor do you live on?” he asks.
“Four.”
Alex pushes the button, the doors close, and the elevator begins the upward climb. “So, are you a junior or a senior?”
“Neither, I’m a freshman, actually.”
“A freshman? How did you get a room in Shepard Hall?”
This dorm is ordinarily for upperclassman, but due to the flooding, they made exception. “I was supposed to room with my best friend, Lily, but our dorm flooded the day we were to move in. They reassigned all of us until they get the water issues worked out.”
“It’s probably good that it’s only temporary. I doubt you’ll want to continue to live with what’s her name,” he replies.
“Brooke. Her name is Brooke Clark, and no, I can’t wait to move out of that room.”
The elevator dings and the doors open to my floor. Alexplaces his hand on my lower back, and it causes a shiver to run up my spine. Why does his touch feel so good? Bradley’s touch never felt like this. I snort to myself, because the truth is, Bradley rarely touched me. In the short time I’ve known Alex, he hasn’tstoppedtouching me. First it was the hand holding, then the wrist rubbing, and now the hand on my back. This guy makes me feel all kinds of sensations I’m not used to.
We reach my room, and I realize I don’t have my key. Luckily, the doorknob turns easily. I take a deep breath for courage and slowly open the door, dreading what awaits me. I ease the door open and, thank goodness, the only person I see is Brooke. She’s sitting on the sofa in the little lounge area.
“Stella? I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” Brooke seems sincere, but I’m not basing that on anything concrete. I don’t really know her.
“That’s okay, Brooke.” Obviously, it’s not okay, but what else can I say? I’m not in the mood to talk about it. I’ll never be able to unsee them together. “Everything is fine,” I say with as much bravado as I can muster.
Brooke looks up and sees the man holding my hand. Yep, he’s holding my hand again, doing that wrist-rubbing thing. I’m putty when he does that.
“Oh, hi,” She giggles. “Aren’t you Alex Emerson?” she asks, twirling a short strand of hair around her fingers.
“Yep,” Alex says curtly.
“What are you doing here?” She turns to me, then back to him. “I can’t believe Alex Emerson is standing at my door.” She giggles again.
Ugh. I think I hate this girl.
“I’m seeing Stella home and making sure dick-face is gone,” Alex mutters.
She puts her hands on her hips and nods. “Oh, he’s gone all right.”
“Good, glad to hear it.” He turns to me. “Stella?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I talk to you in the hall for a second?”
“Sure.” I walk back out into the hallway with him.
“Give me your phone.” He’s not asking.
“Why?”
“Well, I want you to have my number in case you need anything. Plus, I’m concerned about that guy coming back and bothering you. He seemed a little unstable, and sometimes guys get desperate. I just live two floors down, so I can be here in minutes if you need me. Okay?”
“Um, okay, thanks. But I’m sure I won’t need anything. Bradley isn’t the type to go overboard. I’m sure he thinks he can just talk his way out of this whole thing.” And that’s a true story. Bradley could schmooze his way out of anything.
