The Vow (North Woods University 4)

“Professor Berg made a note that you failed your first test, you didn’t submit your homework, and you didn’t bring your textbook to class.” Sebastian looks up from the screen and finds my eyes. An unspoken question hangs between us.

“I don’t have my textbooks yet, but I will get them soon and make up all the work I’ve missed,” I sigh. I was really hoping this wasn’t that big of an issue, but obviously, it is.

“Why don’t you have your textbooks yet? You should have gotten a supply list a long time ago.”

A flush works its way up my throat and onto my cheeks. Embarrassed, I look away, finding some spot on the wall behind him to concentrate on.

“I just… I don’t have the money to pay for them right now.” I try my best to make my voice strong and even, anything but what I’m truly feeling, but instead, it all comes out in a rush like the air deflating from a balloon. He shakes his head and leans back in his chair. For some strange reason, I feel the need to explain.

“I’m looking for a job right now, so it shouldn’t be much longer.”

“Why didn’t you come to me and ask for help?” I swing my gaze back to him just to make sure he isn’t joking. His expression confirms that he’s serious, which confuses me even more.

“Are you serious, right now? You really expect me to ask you for help? When should I have asked… before or after you told me that I’m nothing to your family?”

Regret fills his eyes, and his face twists as if he’s in pain.

“I’m sorry about what I said and how I acted that night.” His apology takes me by surprise, the insults I had lined up for him are now suddenly stuck in my throat.

“You… you’re sorry?” I can’t pull my gaze from his, and not just because he’s gorgeous, no it’s because of the way he’s looking at me. Like I matter. Like I’m important to him. There’s a stark difference between who he was that night and who is he is tonight.

He nods his head, “I am. Let me make it up to you… let me buy your books for you?”

“No!” I yell without thinking. I shove from the chair nearly causing it to crash to the floor. Once on my feet, I move toward the door. I didn’t come here for his pity, or his money and the fact he’s acting otherwise infuriates me. Twisting around, I stare at him with fire in my eyes.

“You can’t just buy me off to make yourself feel better, and I don’t need or want your pity.” I turn fully, prepared to storm out, but I make it all of one step before he is on his feet quickly, coming around the desk.

Confidently, he walks across the room and over to me. “That’s not how I meant it, and you know it. I would never pity you or buy you things as a form of apology. I want to buy you the books to show you that you can count on me for help… if you need anything, just ask.”

Exasperated, I growl, “Just ask? Just ask?” I repeat. I cannot believe him. Maybe I’m blowing up over nothing, but I’m exhausted, tired of thinking about him and wondering if he’s thinking about me too.

Invading his space, I crane my head back and raise my hand. Sebastian gives me a confused look, but I don’t give him a chance to question me. Using my index finger, I poke him right in his perfectly muscled chest.

“I don’t need your help.”

Confusion bleeds into an emotion I can’t quite read, and then he does something I would never in a million years expect him to do. He grabs my finger and uses it to pull me closer. The softest of gasps slips past my parted lips. With his other hand, he gently grabs me by the back of my neck, holding me in place while he bends down, bringing his face impossibly close to mine. Too close. Breathing through my nose, I catch a whiff of lemongrass and orange, realizing a moment before it’s too late that I’m smelling him.

Before I can think on that embarrassment, his lips crash into mine. There’s a hunger to his kiss, it’s wild, unhinged passion. He pulls me flush to his body, leaving no space between us. Our chests press together, my hardened nipples rubbing against his skin through both of our shirts.

I want him bad.

I need him bad.

It’s wrong, but it’s so damn right.

Fisting his shirt in my hands, I pull him closer, deepening the kiss. The friction against my pebbled nipples causes me to groan, and Sebastian takes my open mouth as an invitation, his tongue sliding past my lips to stroke my own.