Campus God (Campus)

Shoving him from my thoughts, I flick on the lights as Crosby strolls further inside the apartment. There’s a narrow entryway with a credenza shoved up against the wall. A beveled mirror hangs above it, and there’s a ceramic bowl for keys sitting on top of the shiny surface. I set my purse on the table before trailing after him.

Like most of the student housing near campus, this place is compact. There’s a small kitchen to the right that has barely enough space for two people to maneuver, and a breakfast bar with a couple of stools tucked neatly beneath the counter. A small couch, overstuffed chair, glass coffee table, and television are arranged in the room. At the far end of the area is a small balcony with views of the university in the distance. It’s a two-bedroom apartment, so Sasha and I each have our own space. Although, she’s the one who ended up with a private bathroom. After the rental agreement was signed, we flipped for it.

I lost.

Crosby drops down onto the couch, and I consider taking a seat on the chair before nixing the idea and settling on the opposite end, making sure to leave plenty of room.

“What kind of movie are you interested in watching?” He stretches his arm across the back of the cushion, making him feel closer than he actually is.

After the night I’ve had?

“Definitely something funny.”

He nods as I pick up the remote and cue up Netflix before flipping through some comedies and settling on a new one with Ryan Reynolds.

“Let me guess,” he says with a snort, “you’re one of those girls who think this guy is sexy.” The disdain filling his voice would be hard to miss.

My eyes widen. “Are you telling me that you don’t find him good looking?”

“Objectively speaking, he’s all right.” There’s a pause. “You know, if you’re into his brand of handsome.”

I raise my brows. “Just to be clear, I am totally into his brand of handsome. In fact, you might have to wipe the drool from my chin.”

He turns more fully toward me. “Is that so?”

“Yup. If you’re not careful, I’ll make you watch another flick as punishment for even suggesting that his status as sexiest man alive isn’t well deserved.”

A grin breaks out across his face as he hoots. “Sexiest man alive? Give me a break.”

“I stand by the comment, and nothing you say will change my mind. He’s sexy as hell, and the fact that he’s funny makes him even more so. End of story.”

His broad shoulders shake with barely concealed mirth. “Just start the movie and let’s get this over with.”

I narrow my eyes and do exactly that. “Keep it up and we’ll marathon it.”

It only takes ten minutes before the tension filling me drains away and my muscles finally loosen. A large dose of comedic relief is exactly what I needed after that dumpster fire of a dinner with Elaine.

Another half an hour slides by, and we’re both cracking up.

“See.” I point toward the television. “Not only is he sexy, but he’s funny. Even you have to admit that the guy is the total package.”

He rolls his eyes for what feels like the umpteenth time before begrudgingly admitting, “Yeah, fine. He’s funny. Okay? Are you happy? Can we just watch the movie?”

Delighted that he’s finally admitted the truth, I flash him a grin as our gazes lock and hold. Electricity dances down my spine as a burst of arousal explodes inside me. When the tips of his fingers strum the top of my shoulder, I startle to awareness.

Up until this moment, I hadn’t realized he’d been touching me.

Almost as if in slow motion, he scoots closer, eating up the distance between us. “Brooke—”

Before he can say anything more and ruin the lighthearted mood we’ve managed to find, I leap from the couch and carefully back out of the living room on unsteady legs. My heart gallops against my ribcage as I jerk a thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to grab a couple bottles of water and make a bowl of popcorn.”

I don’t give him a chance to respond before bolting to the safety of the kitchen. Once there, my knees buckle, and I practically collapse against the counter. It takes a minute or so to settle everything rioting dangerously inside me.

What was that?

Just like last night, it almost felt like he was going to—

I shake my head to clear it of those thoughts.

No.

No.

No.

Absolutely not.

I don’t even like Crosby.

Sure, I find him sexy as hell, but I’m certainly not alone in that assessment. Most of the girls at Western find the guy irresistible. All that messy black hair practically begs female fingers to plow their way through it. Not to mention, those dark eyes that have a way of appearing almost fathomless. And his muscles. My god, the muscles. He’s perfectly honed solid strength. Then there’s the lip ring...