Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
My muscles tighten as my eyes narrow.
Wait a minute…I know him.
Levi.
The first string QB.
Tension fills every muscle.
What the hell is she doing with a football player?
Are they going out?
I’ll tell you what…the way she’d stared up at me with those big blue eyes the other day had me thinking she was single. In fact, it had kind of felt like she might—
I shut down that line of thought before it can pick up traction inside my brain. It doesn’t matter how she’d looked at me. Or what she’d been thinking.
Not only is she too young—barely out of her teens—but she’s Derek’s daughter.
His daughter.
Let that hard truth sink in for a moment.
Just as she’s about to pass by my row, our gazes fasten and surprise flickers in hers. If I’d been trying to convince myself that they weren’t as mesmerizing as I’d led myself to believe, that thought is blown clear out of the water.
They’re even more stunning.
Electricity shoots straight to my dick. As much as I want to look away, I can’t bring myself to break eye contact. It’s only when she gives me a hesitant smile that I lift my chin in greeting before tearing my attention from her.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say that the way my heart stutters before jackhammering a painful tattoo against my chest is a sign 0f things to come.
And not a good one.
Poppy
Professor Lindstrom flips the page of the syllabus, going over every bullet point in pain-staking detail. I wish I could say I’m paying attention, hanging on every word, but that would be a lie.
I’m much too distracted by Mason Price, who’s sprawled out a couple rows behind me. Every once in a while, I’ll pretend to grab something from my messenger bag that sits on the thinly carpeted floor next to my desk. The excuse allows me to swivel just enough to glance in his direction and stare at the dark-haired guy who has been a constant presence in my thoughts since we ran into each other the other day.
God, he’s good looking.
And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Most of the girls in his vicinity are turned in his direction, trying to catch his interest. It’s a relief when he continues to stare straight ahead as if absorbed in the material.
Levi nudges my shoulder. “This is so freaking boring.”
Knocked from my thoughts, I straighten on the seat and nod. “Yeah, it is.”
“Want to grab something to eat after this?”
From the corner of my mouth, I whisper, “Sorry, can’t. I have another class.”
“Bummer. Maybe another time.”
There’s a moment of silence as Professor Lindstrom glares at the guy sitting next me. “Do you have a question, young man?”
When Levi clears his throat, I cringe.
This particular instructor is well known on campus for calling out wayward students who dare to talk during his lectures and shaming them into silence. From the rumors I’ve heard, more than one girl has run out in tears.
“Actually, I do. You mentioned a project that’ll be due at the end of the semester.” When the older man nods, Levi continues, voice growing more confident as he lounges on his chair. “I was wondering if we’ll be able to pick our own partners or if they’ll be assigned.”
“They’ll be assigned in a few weeks.”
“Is there any way we can choose our own?”
A blush hits my cheeks as the professor’s gaze flickers to me.
“No.”
“Hmm. That kind of sucks.”
“Yes, well, such is life,” he says dismissively.
When Levi remains silent, the older man arches a brow. “May I continue, or do you have more questions?”
Levi’s expression turns thoughtful before he nods like a king giving his consent for the festivities to continue. “You may.”
The professor grits his teeth before shooting Levi one last glare. A few seconds later, he moves on to the next bullet point on what feels like a never-ending list. Unable to resist glancing at Mason, I twist in my chair again. Unlike the previous times, his attention is fastened to me. A burst of energy zips down my spine, making every fiber of my being feel as if it’s coming alive. His jaw is tightly clenched as our gazes stay locked. Even from here, I can almost see the muscle ticking in his cheek.
It's only when Levi jostles me that I straighten. For the rest of the hour, I’m absurdly aware of the man sitting in the back. I can’t help but shift on my chair with the need to twist around and see if he’s staring or if the prickle at the nape of my neck is nothing more than my imagination.
Once the professor dismisses us, I shove everything inside my bag. Even though I tell myself it’s because I need to hustle to my next class, deep down, I know that’s a lie. It has nothing to do with the education course with my favorite professor and everything to do with my father’s assistant coach.