Two: A new friend

“We meet again,” the man said, reclining in the plush leather seat that was opposite her professor’s desk.

“H-Hi…” Cookie said, a mask of surprise etched on her face.

“It seems you’ve been destined to always be near me,” he flashed his eyebrows and a smile crossed her face, her surprised expression fading.

“Or more like you’re stalking me,” she raised a brow and a wry smile stretched his lips.

“But you seem to be comfortable around your stalker,”

Cookie’s cheeks stained crimson because it was the truth. As creepy as it sounded that he was always near her, she wasn’t put off by it. In fact, she wouldn’t mind looking forward to seeing him wherever she went because he was a good looking man and she didn’t mind being his center of attention.

“Or maybe it’s just the universe punishing you for running away from me,” a hint of amusement dripped from his words, his lips tipping in a smirk, making Cookie to blush a deeper shade of red, as she averted her gaze from his knowing eyes that were gleaming with mischief.

“Umm… about that,” she licked her lips, unknowingly drawing his attention to the plump pink flesh but when she raised her eyes to meet his clear blue ones, they were no longer on her lips but were staring intently into hers, still gleaming with mischief. “I’m sorry I did that. I just reacted without thinking after you told me what had happened,”

“I know and I totally understand that, but it’s a good thing we’ve met again. I can get to know you better, doll,” he winked at her and Cookie could swear she almost melted from the smooth drawl of the pet name.

It was the first time he’d ever called her that, not that he knew her name.

“The name is Cookie,” she told him. “Cookie Logan,”

“Mmm… I think I’ve found my favorite Cookie, but she looks like a doll,” he smirked at her and Cookie blushed again, unknowingly bouncing on her toes as she stared at him with crimson cheeks, her ocean blue eyes gleaming.

“I’m Jamie,”

“It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Jamie,” She drawled, testing his name on her lips and she loved the sound of it. So did he.

“You say my name like it’s a magical word, doll,” he teased her, using the pet name again, with his eyes glued to her as he watched her cheeks become darker. He loved how expressive her facial expressions were and how her creamy white skin tone always colored so beautifully that he couldn't help wondering how she’d look all over, with a slight stain of pink spreading down her chest.

Cookie felt a quiver in her lower stomach, a thrilling sensation running down her spine at his use of the pet name. She bit her lips, struggling to keep shut so a moan wouldn’t slip out but she couldn’t help releasing a shaky breath.

“Doll?” he called in a deep husky tone, a frown slipping into his face when she remained quiet, staring at the floor rather than at him.

“Umm…” Cookie licked her lips again. “Yeah…”

“Are you alright?” he cocked his brows and she nodded, struggling to clear her inappropriate thoughts about this hot as sin stranger that had no idea how much he was affecting her, even with the distance of a few feet between them.

“So, what brought you here?” he asked and Cookie was grateful for the change of topic because she wasn’t sure how long she could endure his innocent teasing without doing something stupid or worse still, embarass herself like she’d done before him two weeks ago.

“I’m actually here to see my project supervisor, Professor…”

Just then, the office door opened and her professor, Chase Henderson stepped in. He paused when he saw Jamie staring at his student with those lazy eyes. His eyes darted to Cookie to see she was staring at him.

“Good morning, sir,” Cookie greeted him, and he offered her a small smile.

“Good morning, Miss Logan. I see my cousin has been keeping you company in my absence?” Chase’s heavy British accent sailed into her ears.

“And I’m sure she’ll agree that I’m the best company she’s had, isn’t it, doll?” Jamie chimed and a wave of mortification hit Cookie as she immediately averted her gaze to the ground, wishing the floor could open up and swallow her. Her cheeks stained a deep shade of red.

Why would he call her that in the presence of her professor?

Chase’s brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing at Jamie, who only grinned, winking at him. A look passed between them before he crossed towards his desk and took his seat.

“I assume you’re here to make an inquiry, Miss Logan?” Chase finally spoke, calling Cookie’s attention after settling into his seat.

“Umm… ye-yes sir,” Cookie stuttered, still squirming from the effect of Jamie’s pet name. “My group and I have had some issues with the project and we don’t know how to handle it, so I thought I’d come to you for help,”

“That’s alright. After class tomorrow, meet me with your group members,”

“Thank you, Sir. I’ll be on my way,” Cookie turned to leave but Jamie stopped her, quickly grabbing her arm. A zing of electricity zapped through her from the slightest contact, causing her to gasp. She quickly whipped her head back to meet Jamie’s gleaming eyes and her professor’s curious ones.

“Let me walk you,”

She blinked, glancing at her professor, who didn’t bother hiding his curiosity and she swallowed.

“You don’t have to, and besides, I’m returning to my Dorm. It’s a bit of a distance,”

“I insist, Cookie,” it was the first time he was using her name and it came out in a smooth husky drawl that Cookie thought she felt her panties dampen with a rush of liquid.

“Umm…” she glanced at her professor again.

“I need to know you’re safe,”

“Umm… o-okay,”

Jamie was out of his seat before she could blink and they were walking out of the office, side by side. They were so close that he linked his fingers to hers. Cookie was surprised and she stared at their joined hands, her small one engulfed in his big one and it made her smile, setting off butterflies in her lower stomach. For a while, they remained silent until they neared her dorm and he spat out the question that had been hovering in his mind since the beginning of their walk.

“Who was that boy and why was he bothering you?”

Cookie glanced at him, wondering why he was interested in knowing about Dave but then, she thought she owed him that much for saving her from his grasps.

“My ex-boyfriend that has failed to understand that I no longer want him in my life,”

Silence ensued a bit before he spoke again.

“You need to be careful around him,”

Cookie remained quiet, knowing he was right. After what had happened that day, she couldn’t trust Dave not to harm her anymore. They continued walking until she spoke again.

“You seem to be really interested in me,” she glanced at him, grinning but he smiled.

Cookie wanted to know why he’d taken so much interest in her because for such a good looking man, she was sure he could get whatever woman he wanted. She wasn’t blind to the lustful looks he was getting from the girls they’d passed by, who were openly ogling and checking him out.

“I have no interest in you, Cookie. I’m merely doing what’s right,”

Cookie’s heart dropped and her cheerful demeanor slipped off. For a moment, she was sure he wanted her or was he like that with every woman? Did she imagine all that had happened in her professor’s office or had she read too much into it?

“And besides, I’m too old for you. I shouldn’t be having any interests in you,”

Cookie glanced at him, frowning slightly. He didn’t seem that old, more like a man in his prime with lots of experience under his belt.

“You can’t be that old, I’m twenty-two,”

“Exactly, doll. That’s a ten year difference. Can’t work,” he glanced at the dorm building ahead like he hadn’t just hurt her feelings. “Where’s your room?”

Cookie swallowed the lump in her throat.

“That one,” she pointed at it. “I’m safe here. Thank you for walking with me,” she offered him a small smile before pulling from his hold and walking away without glancing back.

It was no use catching another glimpse of him. After all, they might never meet again and he’s made it clear he had no interest in her. His words and the reality of the situation tugged painfully at her heart strings but she swallowed, reminding herself that he was just a good looking man, and another one would come along soon enough.