Chapter 9

We all rushed out of the lecture room, immediately the professor walked out of the room.

I sighed because I hadn't concentrated in class and listened to anything he said.

Everyone participated in the class, but all I could think about was the angry look in Damian’s eyes from last night and the thrill of almost being caught.

“I’m just saying, the food was great, and the drama, I live for it!” Brenda said, throwing her designer bag over her shoulder as we walked. She turned to me with a sharp look.

“And seriously, Laura, I still can’t believe you’re into Stephen again. You just never learn. He’s cute, but he's not worth it. You can do way better. Or at least find someone more interesting.”

I forced a fake laugh, gripping my backpack tighter. I swear I have gotten someone more interesting, and dangerous.

“It’s not even a big deal, Brenda. We were just talking.”

“Talking? Right. People don’t drag each other into empty rooms at house parties just to talk,” Brenda scoffed, rolling her eyes with a sassy smile. “Please. If you’re going to have a secret party hookup with someone, at least do it with someone exciting. Speaking of exciting people…”

My phone buzzed in my hand, cutting off her voice, I looked down at the screen. It was an un saved number but I already knew who it was.

Behind the faculty building. Black SUV. Five minutes.

My breath hitched, and my heart started racing. Damian. He was here? On campus? What was he doing here? The fact that he just parked his car right in the middle of my school, waiting for me like he owned the place, made my knees go weak.

“Laura! You didn't even hear what I was telling you,” Brenda said, snapping her fingers in front of my face, with a disapproving frown. She narrowed her eyes, looking super curious. “What is that face? You look weird. Who’s texting you?”

“Uhm nobody,” I stammered, quickly locking my phone and shoving it into my pocket. “Just a reminder.”

“Why don't I believe that?” Brenda joked, crossing her arms. But before she could say more. She gasped and grabbed my arm. “Oh, look. Speaking of exciting people!”

I looked across the quadrangle. Walking down the library steps was Richard McCarthy. He was the mysterious, popular guy on campus, handsome, super rich, and he never got involved in school drama. He had a dark jacket on and a leather bag over his shoulder, looking like he didn't care about anyone watching him. He didn't even try to get attention; he just had it.

For a second, looking at Richard, and looking at Brenda. I could see an excited child that I hadn't seen in a long time. It seems my friend had the biggest crush on him.

“Go talk to him,” I urged, nudging her forward with a mischievous grin.

“Don’t be shy. Go!”

She hesitated before I pushed her towards his bike, she took a step forward, suddenly feeling a bit confident.

I wanted her to walk up to Richard and be the cool girl she was, say something cool, and maybe get to be on a date with him.

But before I could enjoy watching them talk, my phone buzzed again. Another text.

Four minutes, little princess.

I turned around as if looking for the SUV, irritation in my gaze. It felt like an invisible leash was around my neck or a cam was watching me.

“That monitoring kill-joy,” I cursed him under my breath.

“Uhm, I'm off Brenda. Text me later!” I knew she couldn't hear me, she was talking now with Richard.

The moment I turned the corner, I started walking fast toward the quieter side of campus. My heart was pounding. Damian hated when people were late, and I wondered what he would do if I kept him waiting.

I turned around the building, thinking I was in the clear, when a hand suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me behind a big pillar.

“Not so fast, sweetheart?”

I gasped, looking up at Stephen’s smug face. Two of his fraternity friends were standing behind him, laughing as Stephen blocked my path with his arm against the wall. Being this close to him immediately brought back that confusing, unwanted sexual attraction. He smelled good, and his cocky smile made my stomach flip, even though I was panicking.

“Stephen, let go of me,” I hissed, looking around nervously. “I’m in a hurry.”

“You’re always in a hurry lately, cunny, mischievous, little rabbit.” Stephen murmured, leaning down a bit and looking at my face with a possessive stare.

His friends chuckled, I gave them a harsh glare.

“Uhh, spicy!” They laughed at their comment.

“Come on, hang out with us. We’re going to the diner. You owe me after I helped you cover up in front of Mr. Steel last night.”

Hearing Damian's name made my blood run cold. If Damian saw me with Stephen right now, especially after what happened at the party.

“I don't know what you mean. I owe you nothing,” I said, forcefully pulled him away from me and stepped back.

“I have a class, Stephen. Move.”

Before he or his friends could react, I ducked under his arm and ran, not caring how obvious it looked. I just had to bolt.

There, parked in the shade of a huge tree, was a massive, sleek black SUV with completely blacked-out windows.

The passenger door made a loud click, unlocking automatically.

My throat went dry. I walked over, pulled the heavy door open, and climbed inside, completely shutting out the noise of the campus. The AC was blowing softly, and the car smelled like expensive wood and dark tobacco.

Damian was in the driver's seat, his hands resting on the steering wheel. He wasn't wearing a suit today, just a dark sweater that showed off his broad chest and massive shoulders. It was so much of a temptation, as my eyes travelled further.

He didn't look at me right away. He just stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched tight as usual, could he just lighten up.

The silence in the car was deafening. He turned his intense eyes to me, looking over my flushed face and a bit messy hair.

“You’re one minute late,” Damian murmured, his deep voice vibrating through the tight space. He reached over, my eye lashes fluttered, as he smoothened my hair, and proceeded to grab my neck, and lean. I expected a kiss but…

“You smell different , care to explain, Laura?”