“Why did you run?”
I drop my chin and pull my top lip between my teeth, trying to avoid looking at him. I feel so awkward. I’m not as experienced as he is. But one thing I’ve learned all my life is that the truth is better than fabrications or half-truths. I think back to the issues on the ranch with Linda before she was killed, and the problems between Hailey and Ethan.
“I’m not as experienced as you. You even questioned what you were thinking. I figured that after you realized how inexperienced I was, you regretted it. You didn’t say anything to me when you went to the bathroom. I thought with one-night stands, the guest leaves when it’s over.”
He pulls off his hat and sets it on the table, then drags a hand through his hair. “First of all, I don’t regret you. I was mad at myself for not talking to you first and realizing you were innocent. You should have had flowers and candles, not a quick fuck in my bed.”
“Okay.” I try not to read too much into it.
“Andi.” He reaches out and cups my cheek with his callused, tanned hand. His fingers slide into my long hair. “Secondly, and most important, you’re not a one-night stand.” He pauses. “You’re special and different. I want things with you I haven’t wanted before. Things I don’t deserve.”
I lean into his hand, needing the contact. “Why am I special to you? I’m nothing. I’m not even a world champion anymore.”
He scoffs and leans toward me, bringing his face close. “Baby, you are everything. Whoever told you that you were nothing unless you were the champ doesn’t know your heart and doesn’t know you.”
“But you don’t know me yet, Callum.”
“Oh, but I intend to. Before I knew you biblically, I watched you run. You always looked like you were outrunning something. What was it, baby?”
I want to give him the pain I live with, but I can’t. I close my eyes to shut him out and slowly shake my head.
“I can’t tell you that right now. I’m still trying to figure it out myself,” I say when I open my eyes. “I have to go get my truck and then come back to get Lennox.”
“Your truck’s outside in the student parking. You left your keys on my desk.”
“Shoot.” I remember pulling them out of my purse to grab my phone, but I don’t remember anything other than rushing out of there before he saw me.
He hands me my keys, and I slip them into my bag. It’s a good thing my dorm room has a digital lock.
He leans in and kisses me softly. “Come on, show me your room.”
“Why?” My lips tip up in a soft smile.
“Just do it, baby.”
CHAPTER 3
ANDI
Hand in hand,we walk out of the commons area. As we step out into the sunshine, I lift my face. The cool breeze flushes my cheeks, and I can smell spring in the air. It’s days like today that I would have been on Raine’s back, riding across the fields back home. It makes me think of getting to know Callum.
“Do you ride horses?” I ask, wondering how much of a cowboy he really is.
“No.” He takes a deep breath. “I miss it, though. I grew up on a ranch in Wyoming. Someday I’ll settle down and buy enough land to have a couple of horses.”
He’s not ready to settle down. That thought hurts my heart for a moment, but I’m not sure I’m ready to settle down myself.
“Where is your dorm room?”
“This way.” I take the lead, and he follows along with his hand on my back.
Am I ready for a relationship? Especially with a man who isn’t ready to settle down. A man who could walk away from me at any moment.
We reach my building, and I swipe my key card to get inside. He follows me to the elevator. I punch the fourth-floor button,and he just stands there, a quiet presence at my side. My nerves start to fray. I can’t stop worrying about what’s about to happen.
When the doors swoosh open, I nearly burst forward, like Raine running out the gate. I walk down the hall to the end, where my corner dorm room waits. I enter my code into the keypad, and we step inside.
As I turn to ask him what he wants, he lifts me up and kicks the door closed. My back is pressed to the wood, and I’m locked eye to eye with Callum.
