chapter 21

Jessica's POV. 

My eyes immediately roamed throughout the class and landed on the man who I was desperately trying to avoid. 

Nate's eyes were hardened, as he stared at me as though I had betrayed him by nodding at the lecturer. 

I headed out of class as soon as Mr Simpson was done, intending to catch up with him before it was too late and then I would no longer have anything to do. 

I also wanted to own the majority of all the luxury that I could get, because I was very tired of walking on tip toes around a man that didn't even care about me. 

Call me a little bit exaggerative but that was exactly how I felt and I didn't think it was going to change anytime soon. 

He just wanted to get on my nerves and it was my duty to ensure that we didn't fight no matter how annoying he was being. 

"Why do I think that you are really enjoying moving around with a man twice your age?" Nate said as soon as I came out of Mr Simpson's office. 

My heart rate skyrocketed from our proximity but I fixed an irritated look on my face. "I didn't know that you had suddenly turned into a babysitter. It would have made more sense. How are you doing by the way?" I asked in the most cheesy tone I could muster.

"You shouldn't be going into someone's office without thinking about the worst that could happen. I know that you probably think that everyone is like you and you don't have anything to worry about but..."

"No buts, you had your chance to speak to me earlier today but you blew it don't come around here trying to act like the protective older brother because you are not." I returned in a very angry tone. 

Something clouded Nate's face, but I could see one permanent emotion. 

He wasn't going to let me go simply because I asked instead he was going to make my life miserable and expect me to gobble it down. 

"Why do I believe that you're just trying to do all these things to escape what you truly feel for me?" He smirked. 

My heart gave a weird jump and I feared for my health. 

If things continued this way I was going to use my mind and probably get admitted for a serious cardiac arrest. 

"Flirting with your step sister now are you?" I retorted. 

He blanched. "You don't have to remind me about dangerous facts because now I am responsible for you."

The sudden hope in my heart quenched like fire and I glared at him. 

Of course he was going to make it a point of duty to rub it in my face that we were siblings and nothing could come out of this and I understood perfectly. 

What I didn't understand was why he should show up when I had not called for his presence. 

I knew that he was just telling me bullshit, talking about being responsible for me and whatnot. 

"You shouldn't be going to Mr Simpson's office alone. I thought you had a friend or have you sent everyone away with your frostiness?" He quipped.

Someone save me from wringing this guy's neck. 

He sure had some freaking amazing audacity which I would never understand where he purchased it from. 

"Who was I supposed to take along?" I didn't take his bait. 

His eyes flickered with something before stepping out of the walls he was leaning on and moving directly in my face. 

He grabbed my hand, sending shock waves through my entire skin. Something deep pooled in my core, as I watched him carefully. 

"I will be careful about the things that I say because I honestly don't know how to deal with people of your caliber. I don't mean this in the most derogatory tone I can muster, but I am sure that you have all people understand the gravity of becoming a professor's pet. He warned in a gravelly tone. 

Of course he was saying one thing and I was hearing the other because it explained why my cheeks started getting warm.

He had done nothing to help my career or boost me up the ladder and here I want fawning over him as if he was the freaking King of England. 

"I still do not understand what you are trying to say. Are you saying that I should give you all the time in the world to pick up on the fact that maybe a lecturer just wants to know how I have been feeling since some time now?" I shut him up immediately lest anyone overheard. 

"Mr Simpson is not who you think he is. I don't want you to get into his trap and he has to make sure that you fail his subjects because I know how hard that would hit you. You are the perfect starter after all and the brainy one." He said sarcastically. 

"I'm grateful that you have finally managed to admit to the fact that I am one of the most intelligent people you would ever meet." I flung at him. 

It was hard to find someone who was ready to even pay you another glance in this college.

The one who managed to do that for me ended up being my brother 

Half-brother by the way but this was still the same thing I was driving at. 

Most of the time when I decided to let my hair go he wanted to step in and act like he cared. 

"So... What is all of this about? Is he one of those people who prey on innocent students or what? You've got to give me the specifics or I have no right turning down a professor who asked to see me and just ask about my well-being." I said cheekily.

A beat of silence passed between us, 

"I'd be damned if I allowed anyone to hurt any hair on your head. If it means dragging you kicking and screaming, I'd do that. I don't play with my family." He vowed.