His hands froze midair, with a curse he turned and stared right through me. His blue eyes were cold. Slowly, he stood and stalked toward me. “What are you going to do about it, little girl? Tattle?”
“Sure,” I said in a confident voice. “If you want to pick a fight, at least choose something that can punch back.” I was officially the worst trash talker on the face of the planet. Why hadn’t I disappeared into the floor already?
“Maybe I like it when people don’t fight back,” he snapped.
“If you’re that angry the last thing you need is to get into trouble. It will just make you more angry.”
“Says Miss Perfect,” he growled. “Tell me, is it curiosity, or are you really just stalking me? Taking me up on my first offer?”
“First offer?”
He leaned closer to me and offered a half grin. “To make your pony blush.”
I felt my cheeks burn as I glanced down at the carpeted floor.
“Oh, so you are taking me up on my offer.” He grinned and trapped me against the door. “Maybe it will help your music.”
“I don’t need help,” I murmured, still not looking up.
“Passion.” He ignored me, leaning in so I could almost taste him. “Music and passion are one. And I’ve never seen anyone so lacking in my entire life.”
I flinched as if he’d just slapped me across the face. With a grunt, I tried to push him away from me but he wouldn’t move.
“I’m a great tutor.”
“I don’t doubt it. But I’m not interested in a one night stand.”
“So you say.” His hand moved down my arm. I shivered. “But your body says something else entirely.” His lips grazed my ear and then my neck. I arched toward him, not realizing that I was pressed fully against him until it was too late. His warm chuckle should have infuriated me. Instead, it made me want to reach out, to touch him back.
See? He was a damn siren!
His mouth found mine, and I was lost. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice… well…
I’d never been one of those girls. The girl that kissed random strangers. I mean, seriously. I really did have a purple pony in my room.
His tongue found mine. I moaned as his hands tugged at my shirt. He smelled like fresh soap and spices. I wrapped my arms around his neck.
With a growl he pulled back, his eyes flashing. “We doing this here?”
“Wh-what?” My eyes darted round the room with confusion. What was he talking about? Palms sweaty, I wiped them on my jeans and took a hesitant step away from his muscled body.
His mocking chuckle vibrated off the walls of the room. “So, we doing it here? Or did you have someplace special you wanted to go for your first time? I mean, normally I don’t do charity cases, but I could light a candle if you want.”
I reared back, tears burning at the back of my throat. He caught my hand mid air.
“Tsk–tsk… and I’m the one who needs anger management.” He winked. “Nice playing with you, Freshman, but if you don’t wanna play then you’re just wasting my time, and I’m really…” His eyes darkened. “…really careful how I spend my time.”
“I think I may hate you,” I breathed.
“Hate’s a good emotion.” He finally released me. “Fill your heart with hate, then maybe it won’t hurt as much. That’s what I always say.” His smile was sad as he calmly stepped away. “Use it.”
“Wh-what?” My head was still spinning.
“The hate. Use it while you play.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but he was already halfway down the hallway by the time I could think of anything smart in response.
Once he reached the end of the hall he called back, “Interrupt my private session again, and I’ll take that as an invitation. Believe me, you don’t want to experience that, especially since you hate me.”