I head over toward the exit and catch sight of Tristan talking to three women—the same three women who have been hanging off him all night. He sees me coming and pushes himself off the wall. “Claire,” he calls as he steps into my path.
I can’t be rude in front of the girls. “Hi.” I smile over his shoulder to his groupies as they look on.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
I stare at him, confused. “Huh?”
“You know.” He widens his eyes. “To study.”
“Oh.” I frown. He must be trying to get rid of these women. “Yes, of course.”
“Lead the way.” He gestures to the door.
Oh jeez. I take off toward the door.
“But—” one of the girls says from behind us.
“Sorry, girls, rain check,” he calls as he runs to catch up with me.
We walk out into the foyer and over to the elevator.
“Thanks.” He sighs.
I roll my eyes. “I’m not your scapegoat, Mr. Miles.”
“I know.” He links his arm through mine. “We really are going to study; didn’t I tell you?”
“Does this over-the-top-flirty thing often work?” I ask as the elevator doors open, and we hop in.
He gives me a cheeky grin as the door closes behind us. “Always.”
I shake my head as I smile at the ground; his heavenly aftershave wafts around me.
“Are we drinking coffee or champagne?” he asks playfully.
“I’m going to have a cup of tea.”
“Tea?” He scrunches up his nose in disgust. “Like English granny tea.”
“Yes. Like English granny tea.”
“Oh.” The doors open, and I step out of the elevator. So does he. We walk down the corridor. Where is his room? He doesn’t really think he’s coming with me . . . does he?
“I suppose I can try it, just this once,” he replies.
“Try what?”
“Tea.”
“You are not coming with me,” I scoff.
His face falls. “Why not?”
“Because I’m not like that, because I’m too old for you, and because, well . . .” I pause as I think of the right wording. “I vowed to hate you for all of eternity.” We get to my door, and I turn to him. “This is me.”
He puts his hands into his trouser pockets. “Come on, Claire; it’s tea.” His mischievous eyes hold mine. “It’s not like I’m going to fuck you into next week or anything.”
I stare at him, shocked that he’s just said that out loud. I’m not used to men talking to me like this.