Jumping off the bench, my legs spring into action—or try to. The blanket that had kept me warm and comfortable enough to fall asleep on a bench in the middle of campus is now working against me. I barely make it half a step before my foot catches on the tangle of blanket pooling on the ground. “Shit!” It’s like I’m moving in slow motion as the sidewalk slowly rises to meet my face.
Thankfully, I’m able to get my hands underneath me to stop my face from being destroyed but damn, did it hurt. For a second I’m too stunned to move as I lay face down on the concrete trying to catch my breath and maybe letting out a pained groan or two. With my body down for the count, my brain comes to a moment of clarity. The rational—and awake—part of my brain has finally taken over from my sleep-hazed panic.
Whoever was standing over me was trying to wake me, not scare me. After all, I was sleeping in the middle of a college campus, which admittedly isn’t a smart thing to do.
Feet shuffle on the concrete behind me as my would-be attacker pushes himself up off the pavement and comes over to me. “Shit, are you okay?” His arms are spread wide with his palms up in a non-threatening stance. He’s breathing hard, which makes sense seeing as he was just pelted in the head with a large book. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Gathering what strength I have left—since adrenaline has consumed most of it—I push myself up off the ground in an unladylike fashion, but I don’t care. He’s standing several feet away, far enough to not be imposing.
“Are you okay?” He asks again.
Realizing this is the second time he’s asked me this question, I figure I should answer. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Bending over, I pick up the backstabbing blanket and cuddle it to my chest.
“I’m Jaxon, by the way.” He looks familiar, and I realize that he’s the guy I ran into when I first got on campus. Thereally attractiveguy I ran into. Turning around he bends over, grabbing the book that smacked him in the face, and holds it out to me.
Call me insane, but he’s got a great butt. Like, a really nice one.
Not wanting to be rude, I take the book from him. “Thanks.” We both just stand there awkwardly looking at one another. “Um, sorry I hit you with the book. I hope it didn’t hurt too bad.”
“It was effective, that’s for sure.” He lets out a soft chuckle. “Luckily it hit my forehead. No broken bones.”
“I’ll keep that in mind and aim lower next time,” I mumble. “Um, well…” Turning my body, I toss my thumb over my shoulder, the universal sign for “I’m gonna go.”
“Right.” He nods his head and shoves his hands in his pockets.
I start to head back to Stone Hall, but I only make it a couple of steps before there’s a question gnawing at me. Whipping around, I ask, “Why did you wake me up in the first place?”
He’s still standing in the same spot watching me walk away. “I didn’t know you were sleeping,” he admits. An adorable shy grin sneaks across his face and my hands tighten their grip on my book. He’s so cute. He turns and looks behind him, “There’s a party just up the street. You’re sitting alone in the dark and there are going to be some really drunk guys walking through here.” He glances down at his feet before looking back up and straight into my eyes. “I couldn’t just leave you there.”
Be still my beating heart.
He really didn’t mean to scare me, he was just being a good Samaritan. Since Polly’s at the party, I knew there was one around here, but I didn’t realize it was right down the street. He’s right, this is not exactly the best spot for a nap.
“Well, thank you for waking me. I don’t think I would have enjoyed that.” My face scrunches as all the possibilities of what could have happened pop into my mind. Nodding at him, I turn and start walking in the direction of Stone Hall.
Jaxon’s voice calls after me, making me pause. “Wait!” He jogs the short distance between us, and I think I heard him mumble “idiot” before coming to a stop three feet from me. “Can I at least make sure you get back to your dorm?” He must see the confused and apprehensive look on my face because he holds out his hands. “I’ll stay at least three feet away from you the whole time.” He quickly shrugs his shoulders, almost like a nervousgesture. “It doesn’t sit right with me to leave you out here alone. My mom raised me better than that. I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
And there it is. That heartbreakingly adorable grin that has butterflies fluttering in my stomach. And of course, my brain chooses this moment to remember how he held onto me that day in the dorm, how warm and comforting it felt to be in his arms.
Damn it.
I make a show of eying him, when I know good and well that there is no way that I would say no to him. Exhaling a ragged breath, I nod. “Sure. But remember to keep your distance,” I rush out, even though all I want is to be next to him in what is sure to be an uncomfortable trip full of silence, seeing as I can’t speak to attractive men. Or really men in general.
Jaxon smiles at me. “Understood.” He slowly puts his hands into his pocket and shrugs his shoulders.
Clutching my belongings close to my chest, I start walking to my dorm. This time, Jaxon walks with me, keeping at my pace, but observant enough to stay on the other side of the sidewalk.
This isn’t the smartest decision I’ve made, but I could also argue that all my decisions tonight have been pretty dumb, so this might be the dumbest of them all. Allowing a stranger— who woke me up on a bench in the middle of the night— to walk me to my dorm. The place where I live. If anyone else told me about the same situation from their perspective, I would’ve told them they were crazy.
Jaxon clears his throat next to me, making me glance over at him. He’s got long, strong legs and broad shoulders. He’s not wearing a baseball cap tonight, and his hair is dark brown, longer on the top, and almost shaved on the sides. His eyes are crystal blue, and he has the prettiest lashes I’ve ever seen. How is it that guys always seem to have gorgeous, long lashes while girls have to pay for theirs? Completely unfair.
His deep voice pulls me from my ogling.“I’m not sure I caught your name.”
“Oh, it’s Candi.”
“Candi? Well, it’s nice to meet you, Candi.” I want to say something, but nothing comes to mind, so I give him a tight grin while we walk.
Surprisingly, the walk isn’t as cringeworthy as I thought it would be. Yes, we’re walking in relative silence, but I’m not feeling weird about it.
