Page 8 of Stalked By the Recruiter

“Umm…” She shook her head and dropped her eyes to the top of the desk. “Can I help you with something?” she asked, moving toward the computer.

Jesus, if that wasn’t a loaded question, I didn’t know what was. Her hands started to fiddle with the keyboard, and her gaze was on the screen of the computer. Hell, it was on everything but me.

And I didn’t like it.

“I wanted to introduce myself,” I said bluntly. There was no way I could play this any other way than honestly. Or as honestly as I could considering how I’d been following her. Carmen’s head quickly popped up. For a flash of a second, nothing but surprise was painted on her face. But it quickly changed. Herbrows bunched together, and there was a spark of attitude behind those pretty eyes. And just like that, I was really fucking glad there was a table between us to try and hide the ever-growing bulge behind my jeans. I would have never thought attitude could get me hard, but I had a feeling anything she did would get me going.

“Why?” she challenged. I had to bite away the grin that threatened. Damn, I liked her spunk.

“I’m new here.”

“Not that new,” she clipped, her expression not giving anything away.

“Oh?” I found myself asking.

“You used to be the football coach, right? Before you went to recruit for the Rams?”

“Been looking into me?” I asked before I could stop myself. I knew I was coming off like an arrogant SOB. She might have rolled her eyes at me, but there was a sparkle of interest in her gaze. I leaned against the desktop.

“So?”

“So, what?” she asked cautiously.

“Have you been looking into me?”Because I sure as fuck looked into you.Jesus Christ, I had changed my entire life and career for her without even speaking to her.

“Not in the way you’re trying to imply.” There went those deep green-hued eyes rolling again. But this time, it was for show. There was no denying the slight blush that lay beneath her tanned skin. “It’s my job to make sure the library is a safe space. And when I noticed a suspicious character lurking around?—“

“Suspicious character?” I playfully pretended to be insulted. She sighed.

“Look, you’ve been here a lot. I’ve noticed you around campus, too. You don’t look familiar, and my main concern is making sure the students here are safe.”

“You think I look unsafe?” I asked. She didn’t answer. She just stared back at me, and I hated that this whole thing wasn’t turning out how I had imagined.

In my head, it would have been easy.

I’d introduce myself smile, and she’d smile back. I’d ask her to dinner, she would say yes with a dreamy look on her face, and the rest would be history. But reality was nothing like that. And I, of all people, should have known that and been prepared.

“I just came back,” I started to explain. “Like you know, I was a coach here and I did leave to work as a recruiter for the NFL.” I waited for her to look impressed, like women usually did.

But not my Carmen. She wasn’t impressed whatsoever. If anything, she seemed bored.

“I still am, kinda.” I shook my head and shrugged. “Long story. It’s more of a technicality,” I shared, trying another approach. This one with my most charming smile, one that usually made women swoon, but again, nothing. I not only crashed and burned, but I was doing it spectacularly. “I’m going to be one of the new associate football directors come fall,” I finally spit out.

“Wow,” she retorted almost sarcastically. “Congrats. And you pop by the library and stare at me, why?” she asked bluntly. I fucking liked it.

“Wow!” I laughed and winked, knowing very well I was coming off like an asshole but unable to stop myself. “Someone thinks pretty highly of herself.” Her lips twitched, and she leaned in closer. Those green eyes of hers turned warmer.

Red flags started to wave in the back of my head, but being the stupid, stupid man I was, I didn’t pay any attention to them. I was too focused on how pretty she was and how close she was moving toward me. So close, I could smell the sweet minty scent of her breath. I wanted to know exactly what those pretty, full pillowed lips would feel Ike against mine. In that moment, thewhole fucking world had disappeared and nothing but her and I were left.

Carmen’s gaze dropped to my mouth, and heat swirled in her pretty stare before her eyes locked with mine.

“You have no idea,” she whispered. The allure in her voice had me close to losing my load in my pants like some horny, untouched teenager who could get off with a strong wind.

Suddenly, she was no longer right in front of me, leaning over, giving me a hint of her abundant cleavage, but was standing straight with adon’t fuck with melook on her face and her arms crossed in front of her.

“And you won’t,” she stated like it was fact.Retreat! Retreat!The flag waved again in my head, and this time, I was smart enough to pay attention. I didn’t need her to call security again and somehow have the dean get wind of this.

I lifted my hands up like I was giving up, but I wasn’t.

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