It must have been hard growing up with a strict dad who always pushes him. But I also understand my brother’s warning. I get it, but I don’t want to. Victor drinks and fights. Two things I can’t stand, so it’ll be that much easier to stay away.
None of this information matters if I won’t be here tomorrow.
Why am I wasting time standing here? I dash to the stairs but my feet haven’t even made it halfway up when the front door swings open. My head turns toward the entrance, and shirtless Victor fills my sight. I gasp but recover quickly.
“Tia.” He grins, and I sigh—not sure if it’s because I can’t stand seeing him without a shirt on or because he just thwarted my plan to run away before he got back.
Where are Dorothy’s red slippers when I need them the most?
Sweat drips on the sides of his cheeks down to his neck, rolling onto his hard chest.
“How far did you run?” I bring my eyes to his face, blushing because I got caught ogling him. Again.
“Ten miles.”
“What?” I squeal.
Victor’s shorts are sticking to his thick thighs. More sweat is dripping down to his enormous calves. I’ve seen guys who work out all the time and develop an amazing upper body—defined and rock-hard, but their legs are underdeveloped and small, which is a big turnoff for me. But Victor’s body is proportionally broad and strong. Every single muscle has been trained for years, developed into a lethal fighting machine.
“You okay?”
“Fine. Just getting something from Alek’s room.”
My bags.
I climb the stairs to increase the distance between me and the Bull.
I’ll wait until he gets in the shower and then sneak out. I sit on the bed with the door open so I can hear the water running.
I check email and messages. The email from the Office of Student Life says that they can’t wait to meet me in the dorms. I have another automated message from the school scheduling system with my course schedule. I wish I could study in the library, go to the café, make friends, go to college parties, date.
“You haven’t unpacked yet?”
I yelp and drop my phone in my lap. My hand flies to my chest.
“Gosh.” I take few deep breaths. “I’ll unpack later.”
His eyebrows raise but he doesn’t say anything. Sweaty Victor disappears into his room, and before I can do anything else, he saunters past my room in only a white towel wrapped around his waist. Thank goodness I’m sitting on the bed. What I wouldn’t give to see the towel drop. I quickly squeeze my eyes shut.
I’ve got this.
“What are you doing, Tia?” His sensual voice sends my heart flying higher.
There’s really no good explanation.
Blood rushes to my head. Just a small peek. I pop one eye open.
Victor’s leaning on my doorway, two hands holding the door frame, bicep muscles bulging. But his face… Oh, he knows what he’s doing. His wolfish smile gives it all away. A mouthwatering smile that makes me swallow hard. So I pop my other eye open and sigh.
“I texted Abi. She’s coming over to keep you company,” he says.
What?
I gape at him. Is he using his psychic abilities again or is it just coincidence? Does he suspect my runaway plans?
“Could you please text her to let her know I’m fine. I kind of want to be alone,” I mumble.
“No one likes to be alone.”
