Snatched

It’s like he’s this strong, hardened guy, but beneath all of that, there’s so much more and he can’t afford to let anyone know.

He always has to be strong, always has to have his armor on and his guard up.

“We can still work together,” I offer. “Let me help you.”

Finn turns and looks at me now. “Okay,” he says, nodding seriously.

My stomach does a little twisting flip and I feel my cheeks flush, but luckily its dark enough that I don’t think he can tell.

I nod and smile. “So it’s a deal then.”

Finn stands up and stretches his magnificent arms into the air, any trace of vulnerability suddenly gone. “Deal. Let me get your number.”

Stuttering a little, I tell him my number as he plugs it into his phone.

And then a second later, my phone’s ringing. I answer it and Finn gives me a wink. “Now we both have each other’s number.”

Just the way he says it makes me shiver a little.

He puts his phone back in his pocket and I can tell he’s getting ready to leave. I find myself wishing he’d stay longer.

“So— tomorrow? Tutoring? Now that the media has died down a little they’re moving me into a campus apartment. We can go there.”

“I can’t tutor in campus apartments. It’s against the tutoring policy,” I say.

“Oh?” Finn asks.

“They’re too…I mean, there’re beds and clothes and…I think the tutoring center is just afraid something will happen.”

“Are you?” Finn asks, and I feel my face heat up, the memory of him answering the door in just his towel, his biceps so cut, his chest so broad, the V of his hips, the smooth lines of his abs.

“Of course not,” I say swiftly, which I realize is a lie the moment the words leave my mouth. No, wait, it’s not entirely a lie. I’m not afraid of something happening— I’m afraid of wanting something to happen, and it not happening.

I mean, how could I not sort of darkly, secretly want to know what it would feel like to be pressed against Finn’s body? I’ve never been with anyone like him, I’ve never been with anyone who could probably lift me with one hand, with anyone who would get in a fist fight for me and think so little of it. At least if we’re in the student center, there’s no chance of him answering the door in just a towel.

“Fine. We’ll go back to the Ansley Park house then. I can’t be photographed getting tutored.”

“Right. Sure,” I say in response, perhaps a little too quickly. We’ll be alone there, sure, but at least we’ll be in a kitchen rather than a bedroom. It’s not crazy, anyhow— Mandy has tutored football players in that house, too. None of them want to be photographed looking like they give a damn about their academic record. And it’s got to be better than that time I tutored in the baseball locker room. Words cannot describe the way a college baseball team locker room smells.

“Ok. Great. You’ve got my schedule – what works for me?”

I shake my head at him. “I’m not your secretary.”

“Fine,” he says. “I’ll call you to set something up.”

“Good. And this time, don’t be in the shower.”

“You sure about that last one?” Finn asks, his eyes sparkling.

“Yes,” I say, but my stupid voice betrays the fact that I’m not so sure about it. It warbles and shakes and I feel myself smiling despite the fact that I’m trying to look stern. Tutor mode, Kenley. Tutor Mode.

Chapter 4

The next morning, I check my email, and see I’ve got one from Dr. Reams. I’ve been dreading this— I knew he’d have some sort of comment on the whole tutoring-client-got-arrested-during-a-tutoring-session thing. I open it and read.

Miss Sullivan,

As is most of the city, I’m aware of what occurred during your tutoring session with Finn Thorne yesterday. In the future, please keep in mind that a diner is not an appropriate place for a tutoring session, particularly with a VIP.

And the fact that your student was arrested during this tutoring session is unprecedented. I expect more from you, a great deal more, to be frank.

Given your position in the math department and your mother’s position at the university, you need to be extra careful moving forward. We’re all depending on you: the department, the team, and the school itself.

As you know, I accept only the best and brightest students into my summer program, and I would like nothing more than to see you among them. Seeing this Finn project through to a successful completion would go a long way towards proving to me that you are ready for the next step.

Don’t let us down.

Sincerely,

Dr. J. Reams

Some people call Dr. Reams a douchebag.

Some people are right. Despite being fully aware and acquainted with his douchebaggery, I have to admit that he’s struck a nerve. The summer program is a big deal— a floating internship with several insurance companies; basically, a job as a high-paying actuary right after graduation is guaranteed to people who get into his program. I’ve been gunning for a spot since sophomore year, but with only three available each summer, it hasn’t been easy, especially since Dr. Reams shamelessly plays favorites.