“I am. I heardDeadpoolis good. Are you into seeing that?”
“Yeah, I’ve been wanting to see that movie. I’m stoked you want to see it too. Awesome.”
The way he gushed made her laugh. This would be fun. She couldn’t care less what Jerry did, or with whom. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Yeah. I’ll see you in class tomorrow. It was fun hanging out with you, even if all we did was school work.” Red streaked his cheeks.
“It was nice. See you, Ricky.”
She closed the door and leaned against the wall, wishing it were Jerry who’d asked her out.You’re fucking hopeless.She liked Ricky a lot, but he didn’t make her insides melt or her breath stop when she saw him like Jerry did.Why did he have to go and kiss me?It would’ve been better if he’d never come to see her on campus.
Touching her lips, Kylie knew that wasn’t true. Even if she never spoke to him again, she’d always have the memory of their first kiss. It was hot, wet, and amazing. But Jerry wasn’t the one asking her out—Ricky was. If they’d kissed like that, she was pretty sure Ricky would’ve been calling and coming around to see her. Not like Jerry, who’d probably forgotten all about it.
She walked to the window and gazed out at the Rocky Mountains.I need to just let go of this and give Ricky a chance.Jerry’s half-smile flitted across her mind. Resting against the window pane, her feelings were more mixed up than ever.
Chapter Five
By the timeFriday rolled around, Kylie was so antsy she wanted to jump out of her skin. Shehadto get away from campus and people. She and Taylor worked well together as roommates, and they’d become good friends, but after being an only child and having a room to herself for all her life, sharing a two-hundred-thirty-square-foot room with another person was pretty damned cramped. Sometimes, she just needed to be by herself.
Jerry hadn’t contacted her since the previous Sunday, and even though Kylie acted like she didn’t give a damn, there was that miserable part of her brain that imagined he was so grossed out by what had happened that he didn’t want to talk to her anymore. She tried not to dwell on it, but it’d creep up when she was studying, or in a lecture, or even hanging out with her friends. More than anything, she wanted to stop thinking about him. So she did what always cheered her up—she shopped.
When she returned to campus after her shopping spree, the two parking lots closest to her dorm were full. Cursing under her breath, she parked in the third, securing the numerous packages in her hands. “This is such a pain in the ass,” she said under her breath as she trekked toward her building. From behind her she heard the hum of a motor, and she moved closer to the side of the lot to give more room for the car to pass her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the car next to her, its engine sounding like a sewing machine. She picked up her pace and the vehicle matched it.
“Hey, where’re you going?”
Kylie turned her head and saw a purple Corvette with a white racing stripe over its hood, roof, and trunk. The windows were tinted, and even though the driver’s window was halfway down, she couldn’t make out his features. Ignoring him, she continued walking, fully aware of the car’s proximity.
“I know you heard me.” The driver clucked his tongue. “Don’t be that way, Kylie.” His voice was smooth and mellow.
She stopped in her tracks. Facing him, she bent down slightly, trying to see his face. “How do you know my name?” she asked.
His chuckle sent shivers up her spine. “I know a lot of things about you, Kylie.”
She peered at him, but the glare from the western sun made it difficult for her to see his face clearly. He wore sunglasses with a thick, shiny gold frame; his face appeared dark, like he stayed in the sun a lot; dark brown—maybe black—hair; and he was clean-shaven. She couldn’t quite tell, but judging by his voice, she guessed him to be in his late twenties. The golden orb’s blaze hid most of his features and left only a smudgy glimpse of him.
“Do I know you?” she asked.
“You do now.”
“What’s your name?” She could hear her father’s voice telling her to get the fuck away from this guy. Though she could sense a thread of danger weaving around her, she remained there, talking with him, as though they would become friends.
“That’s for later.”
“It isn’t fair that you know my name and I don’t know yours.” She shielded her eyes from the sun, bending down lower to see him better. He pulled his head back into the shadows of his sports car.
“Life isn’t fair. Haven’t you learned that yet?” A hard edge slipped into his voice and her blood ran cold. “Let me take you back to your dorm. You’ve got too many packages.”
Fear seized her. She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m good.”
“Come on, get in the car. It’s too far for you to walk.” His idling engine threw off hot waves of exhaust. “Come on.” His voice rolled over her as he coaxed her.
Swinging her hair over her shoulders, Kylie shifted the bags in her hands. “I’m good.” She started walking again. He followed her. Her heart racing, she looked around the parking lot, but no one was there except for this man with the suave voice and the mirrored sunglasses. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead.I’m all alone. This guy could grab me, and no one would have a damn clue what happened to me.
Gliding her hand into her tote, she felt around until her fingers wrapped around her pepper spray can.
“You’re not gonna make me beg, are you, Kylie?” His voice was too calm, laced with a sinister undertone.
He unnerved her, and she quickened her pace, her pulse throbbing. If only she were back at her dorm.
