“I broke up with her before the party started. I didn’t know she was going to lose it and trash my car. As for the rest, I don’t know where you’re getting your information from. I did press charges and got a restraining order against her once they didn’t expel her.
“She’s only still here because of her father. He’s a big donor and alum here. As long as she stays away from me, they’re allowing her to finish the year. They’ve blamed the whole thing on her having too much to drink,” I say in frustration.
She looks at me in surprise. “Are you shitting me? She’s a danger to others. She should have been thrown out that night.”
“Well, when Daddy’s throwing money around, you kind of get away with anything. Listen, Zah, about that night?—”
“No, Bentley. We’ve been friends for a really long time. I think we should keep it that way. I’m here for my education. The last two weeks have already shown me I don’t have much time for anything else. Let’s forget what happened so we don’t confuse our relationship.”
My nostrils flare and I swallow hard. I can’t allow this to end with her pissed off at me again. I frown as I think fast. “Will you at least take the flowers?”
“Fine, give me those.” She takes them and holds them up to her nose.
A small smile comes to her lips. I know that smile. It’s the smile she gives me right before she forgives me.
“What are you doing for your birthday tomorrow?”
“Nothing, because apparently, I have a boyfriend who’s threatening every guy on campus to stay away from me.”
I grab her by the front of her sweaty shirt and pull her to me. She looks up at me cautiously. I bite my lip and look down at hers.
I want to kiss her so bad my heart is hammering. I dip my head until we are face to face and my lips are all but a breath away from hers.
“In that case, you should let me take you out for your birthday. I’m not afraid of your boyfriend and his threats,” I say against her lips.
“I guess you could, to make up for stealing my first kiss and making me look like a boyfriend stealer.”
I lift a brow in question. Her first kiss? I was her first kiss.
I grab the back of her neck and kiss her hard. Fuck, I want to be her first everything. I devour her lips as she whimpers into my mouth.
I kiss her deeper and drag her body as close to me as I can get it with the bouquet between us. Why the hell does she taste so fucking good?
“I’m sorry for everything. I’m so happy you’re here. Can we start over?” I say as I break the kiss and look down into her eyes.
“I don’t know. I remember you saying something about staying focused while you are in college. I don’t want to be a distraction,” she says and bites her lip as she looks up at me through her lashes.
“That was before my crush dropped on campus like an angel out of heaven,” I say as I cup her face and run my thumb across her lips.
“Well, when you put it like that. I’d like to start over, Bentley. Let’s be friends and play our game. If you win, we can be more. If I win, I’ll think about what’s next and if it fits into my schedule.”
I laugh as I think of the game we used to play. Zah is as competitive as I am. This could be fun.
“You know I never lose. Baby, you’re on. You’re as good as mine.”
“We shall see.”
“That we shall,” I growl into her neck as I hold her close.
CHAPTER 9
Happy Birthday
Zahirah
It’searly morning and I’m at the football field waiting for Bentley to arrive. The morning chill on campus is real and something I’m not used to. This is a different type of cold.
Bentley and I spent last night texting back and forth. It started with a birthday text at midnight. We continued to text until I couldn’t see straight and nearly dropped my phone on my face.
