I can’t help but get lost in his beautiful green eyes framed by the longest lashes. They are thick, and jet-black, and I’ve a mad case of lash envy. With his strong nose, chiseled jawline, thick dark hair, and tan skin, he can definitely rock the cover of GQ. And that’s before I mention his lick-worthy abs and the impressive snake in his pants. A snake that is growing in size the longer we stare at one another.
My mouth is parched, and I lick my lips subconsciously while my libido sluggishly wakes up. My nipples stand to attention, and I’m sure they’re trying to poke their way out of his shirt. He may have left my panties on, but I’m one hundred percentnotwearing a bra. The thought he might have caught a sneaky look at the girls sends warmth flooding to my core.
His eyes drift to my mouth before lowering farther, and my nipples could cut glass, they’re so sharp.
Slowly, he drags his gaze back up to my face. I struggle to keep my eyes locked on his when I notice the giant erection tenting his pants. I love that he’s as turned on as me. That he feels the spark too.
“Why wouldn’t I want to know?” he says, finally breaking whatever spell we were both under.
I blink for a few seconds while I try to remember what we were talking about. “Because you don’t know me, so it doesn’t make sense for you to care.”
“I know enough.” He moves his hand from my face, winding his fingers in my hair. “And if Wes is bothering you, I want to help.”
Tears pool in my eyes, and I wish he could help me, but it’s looking more and more inevitable.
I managed to deflect Wes’s plans the last two weekends, playing innocent while telling Dad it wasn’t a good idea for me to help Wes study at his frat house. Not with all the guys and partying that goes on there. I knew that was all it would take to switch the venue, and it worked like a treat. Wes was practically frothing at the mouth that he had to study at our place. Especially when he realized my father was in attendance and he couldn’t lay a fucking finger on me. I’d made all of Dad’s favorite foods and suggested he invite his buddies to our house to watch the NFL game instead of going out, and he loved the idea so much he did it two weeks in a row.
But I know I’m on borrowed time.
Wes keeps loitering around outside my classes, so I’ve taken to leaving in a big group of people so he can’t accost me.
And I ignore all the obnoxious messages he’s sending me from an anonymous account. He’s smart enough to know I’m saving them, so he’s going to great lengths to cover his tracks.
Which sickens me. Because it means he has nefarious plans in mind, and I know it’s only a matter of time before him and his buddies get their hands on me.
Zach gave me the list of girls from their old high school, and I’ve been doing some investigative work of my own, but it’s slow progress, and I’ll admit I’ve dropped the ball recently in favor of Molly. But thoughts of what he has planned for me have me so on edge I need the high to just get through each day.
“Emily.” Adam clicks his fingers, peering into my face with concern in his eyes. “You still with me?”
“Sorry. My mind wandered.” I clench my hands in my lap, swallowing back bile as my body trembles all over.
“You’re shaking.” He pulls me to his chest, and I rest my cheek against his shoulder, allowing him to comfort me. He smooths a hand up and down my back, and it’s such a tender gesture it brings tears to my eyes again.
Adam is one of the good guys. Last night and this morning have proven that. If I was a normal girl, I’d be ass over tits crazy for him.
But I’m not, and I can’t afford to be.
I shuck out of his hold. “Thanks for looking after me last night.” I stand. “I should go.”
“Emily, wait.” He stands, threading his fingers in mine. “I know you’re scared. I can see it in your eyes. And I want to help.”
“Why me?” I tip my chin up, peering deep into his eyes.
He takes a big breath. “Because I like you and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Is that the only reason?”
He blows air out of his mouth, looking undecided for a few minutes. “I know all the reasons why you and I shouldn’t hang out,” he says, and my heart splutters in my chest. “But there are more reasons why we should.” My heart grows wings and soars.
“You want to hang out with me?” I blurt.
He rests his forehead on mine. “I want to do so much with you, Emily,” he whispers, and his warm breath fans across my face, igniting new flames. “But why don’t we start with being friends?”
“I don’t have many friends,” I admit in a hushed voice.
“Then it’s settled.” He hugs me to him, and I don’t protest this time, wrapping my arms around his solid body, and clinging to him like he’s my only lifeline. He tilts my chin up with the tip of one finger. “Now, tell me what’s really going on with Wes.”
* * *
