Page 32 of Icebound Attraction

As we pack up, Liam asks:

“Tomorrow, how about we meet at the same time? Are you free?”

I look at him, hiding my surprise, and smile.

“Yes, no problem.”

“Are you sure about this? It doesn't slow you down in your own work, does it?”

“No, don't worry. You'll settle in gradually, and I'll be able to study my subjects and you yours, without it slowing us down.”

He smiles broadly, as if relieved.

“Great!”

As we say goodbye, he seems to hesitate, he raises his arm, motions towards me, and finally taps me on the shoulder as if I were one of his buddies. Disappointment twists my heart, and I try to pull myself together to put on an appropriate smile.

No, but seriously? Liam Scott wasn't going to hug me for studying for over an hour together, was he? What an idiot I am...

“Goodbye, Liam,” I mumble, turning on my heels.

Lost in my thoughts, I take the wrong route back to my room and wander around the campus for a while. After a while, I pull myself together and get back on the right road. I hope Cassy isn't back yet. She might see that something's bothering me, and I can't see myself admitting to her that I've got a thing for the university playboy. It's hard enough for me to understand what's going on!

The next day, we meet at the library, and end up agreeing on a daily meeting.

Our study sessions go on in the same studious way as the first. But I notice that every day I'm looking forward to spending more time with him.

It's not just about learning together. We laugh about our mistakes, discuss our opinions on certain subjects and share our thoughts on the world we live in. Little by little, I get the impression that a bond is forming between us that goes beyond simply sitting next to each other and dissecting our lessons.

I'm discovering a more mature person than I thought, more inclined to have interesting opinions on things other than sport, and above all with a sense of humor. Of course, he's terribly sexy. But let's just say that's not his main character trait in the end. That's for sure!

Today, we've completed a good work session, and Liam stares at me for a few seconds, seemingly searching for his words. I pretend not to have noticed and keep my eyes glued to my media rights manual, unable to read a single line.

“Emily?” he finally says softly.

“Hm?” I answer, looking at him as stoically as possible.

My heart is pounding in my chest, and I can't calm it down. All it takes is for his blue eyes to land on me insistently and my world shatters. This uncontrollable reaction both annoys and terrifies me. I know that one day our sessions will come to an end, and I'll go back to being the simple little journalist who writes articles about him and his team. The one who might have helped him get a good grade in an exam. I don't know what else I could be to a guy like him.

“Thank you,” he continues. “Not only for your help, but also for our discussions. I feel like you understand me...”

Stunned, I feel my mouth round and close again. His words touch me. Too much.

“You don't need to thank me. I'm happy to help you and also to have someone to talk to.”

I try to give him a sincere smile. It's not that I don't want to, but right now I've got an irresistible urge to press myself against him, run my hand through his hair and do things to him that you wouldn't normally do in a library - well, normally, because I'm pretty sure Maddie's already had sex here!

I swallow at having such naughty thoughts and tense up that he might eventually read me. It doesn't seem to fail, because his smile widens, and his eyes start to sparkle.

Shit... You'd think I was talking out loud from the look on his face.

It both distresses and comforts me. Does he like me, even a little? A tenth of the appreciation I have for him would be a lot!

“Good luck on your exam tomorrow!” I finally blurt out to ease the tension.

For a brief moment, a shadow passes before his eyes.

“Thank you,” he mutters.

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