Two hours later, we’re camped out at the library. We both have our laptops out and are typing away as we formulate a loose outline of what our project will entail. It may sound a little obvious, but we’ve decided to delve into the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.
Because that dude couldn’t be more unethical if he tried. There’s so much material to work with, it’s almost overwhelming. Entire books, along with articles in business journals and newspapers, have been written about this subject, so research is plentiful. And I don’t think I’m the only one who finds it interesting either because Ivy has been riveted to her computer screen for the last hour. Every so often, she shakes her head, sharing some tidbit she’s stumbled across.
For just a moment, I sit back and watch her work. My eyes start at the top of her head. Her light brown colored hair is still piled high on her head in a messy bun like it was last night. Even thinking about her spending time alone with Finn McKenzie has me gritting my teeth. Her bright green eyes flash with intensity and focus.
Hell, I bet if I packed up all my shit and just walked away, she wouldn’t even notice.
I almost snort.
That shouldn’t turn me on… but damn if it doesn’t.
I’m used to girls tripping over themselves and each other just to get to me. Brows sliding together, I rack my brain for a time when I actually had to work to get a girl’s attention. Middle school, maybe? It sure as shit wasn’t in high school or college. Nope, chicks have always been plentiful. Hell, I’m usually knee deep in pussy any given night of the week.
But being with Ivy is kind of… nice. I’m enjoying the time we’re spending together. She’s smart. And pretty. Not to mention really limber…
Because what happened at the smoothie shop has made me a bit more cautious, we’re buried way back in the stacks on the second floor. The last thing I want is to be interrupted by people who want nothing more than to inform me that the football team is off to a great start and ask how I think we’re going to fair against Buffalo, one of our biggest conference rivals, next weekend.
I also grabbed a ball cap from my apartment and now have it pulled low over my brow. My lips twitch thinking about meeting Ivy earlier in the hallway when we were leaving for the library. She had looked me over before asking if this was what the Roan-King-version of incognito looked like.
Not bothering to answer, I just grabbed her hand and towed her out to my truck.
Like I said before, I like her sense of humor. And I like that she’s finally allowing me to catch a glimpse of it. I feel like she’s actually showing me who the real Ivy Kaster is.
Finally surfacing from the impressive amount of research she’s gathered, Ivy glances up from her computer screen before our eyes catch and hold. It’s probably for the best if she doesn’t realize that I’ve been staring at her for a good five minutes now.
Something like that could potentially creep her out.
I swear she becomes more attractive every single time I look at her.
Someone needs to seriously explain how that’s even possible.
Something inexplicable tightens in the pit of my gut before I finally clear my throat. “I think we’ve made a good dent with all the research we collected today. Plus, we have a solid game plan regarding the direction we’re going to take this project in.”
Nodding, her teeth sink into that plump little bottom lip of hers. Lowering her eyes from mine, she suddenly shifts in her chair before murmuring, “I’m really sorry for assuming that you weren’t serious about this project.”
Not saying a word, I lean back in my chair before stretching my long legs out in front of me. I’m actually a little surprised she’s bringing this up. Hesitantly her eyes lift before catching mine again. “I didn’t want to get stuck with someone who wasn’t equally invested in putting the time in to both this class and the project.”
Because I’m genuinely curious as to how she jumped to that conclusion without really even knowing me, I keep my tone neutral. “Why would you think that?”
She jerks her narrow shoulders into a tight shrug.
But I can’t resist pushing for an answer. “Because I’m good at football, you just assumed I didn’t have much going on upstairs?” As soon as the words shoot out of my mouth, red stains flag her cheeks.
Looking uncomfortable, she shifts in her seat. “Well… it’s not like I ever see you taking notes in class.”
She thought I wasn’t taking this class, or my entire freaking college education for that matter, seriously because she never sees me taking notes? “I record all the lectures on my computer and it transcribes them for me so I can actively listen to the lecture and participate in class discussions. That’s what works best for me.”