Most Desirable Player (Face-Off Legacy/Campus Kings 7)
“I’m feeling a lot better. I can take the exam.”
“Don’t worry about it. He didn’t mind pushing it back.”
“How did you manage that?”
“I’m Julian Rivers,” he says with confidence.
I sigh. “Right.”
“I also had your doctor’s note.” A beat passes before he says, “Do you want me to come over?”
“No, I’m okay. I think I’m going to sit in on a few of my classes and takes notes, so I don’t fall behind.”
“I can come with and take your notes for you.”
My face hurts from smiling so hard. “Sure, if you don’t mind.”
“Nope, not at all. What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“Well, since you already took care of my first class, I guess we can skip that one until I have more time to study. So, that leaves Econ at eleven. Come over around ten-thirty.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
After I hang up with Julian, I can’t stop smiling. My heart is thumping in my chest, ready to claw its way out. I’m terrified yet excited. I hope I’m not making a horrible mistake by allowing him back into my life, and there’s only one way to find out.
* * *
When we walk into the crowded lecture hall together, Julian turns heads. Of course, he does. Everywhere he goes people notice him. And why wouldn’t they?
I lead him over to my usual desk in the back of the room and pull out a notepad and pen from my bag before dropping it to the floor at my feet. Julian settles into the seat next to me. He stretches his arms out in front of him and thick muscles flex beneath the fabric stretched tight against his skin. A simple Strickland Senat
ors shirt shouldn’t look this good on anyone. But Julian sure knows how to wear it. I stare at his arms for a hot second, before he clears his throat, drawing my attention to his face.
“See something you like?”
“Idiot,” I mutter.
He laughs, leaning back in his chair to get comfortable.
Professor Stevens, a short, middle-aged man with blond hair that’s dusted with gray, stands behind the podium, shuffling papers in his hands. He checks his watch as the door slams shut, and then he loosens his tie and lowers the microphone to his mouth. I drown out the noise as he talks about the impact of inflation on our economy. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Dr. Carter permitted me to stay home this week. Just thinking about this crap is making my head pound. The bright lights overhead are not helping.
After what feels like ages, Julian snaps me back to reality when he covers my hand with his, pinning it to the desk. His touch sends a current of electricity through my body. My cheeks flush, the warmth spreading down my neck and chest.
“I’m hungry. Do you want to get something to eat with me after class?” Julian’s playful smile has a torturous effect on me.
I stare at him, slack-jawed, my brain working slower than my body, and nod. “Yeah, I guess so. I could eat.”
When he looks at me, as though his world gravitates around me, I can’t breathe. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. I find it impossible to speak another word. Julian gives my hand a quick squeeze that makes my heart race. How am I supposed to make it through this class with him touching me?
Midway through class, Julian moves his hand from the desk to my thigh. He rests it there for a minute before he gets more adventurous and slides it between my legs. He rubs me over the thin fabric of my yoga pants. A low moan escapes my lips as he strokes me, torturing me with this simple movement. I’m so horny right now I want to drag him back to my dorm room.
I flash a warning glance in his direction and whisper, “Julian, what are you doing?”
“Nothing,” he says, the corners of his mouth turning up into a smirk.
I want to kill him, or maybe even kiss him.