Page 49 of Consume Me

I elbow him playfully, and he tucks me to his side. “Are you all right with him here?”

“Yeah, no problem. I’m perfectly fine. I am trying to date others.”

His entire face scrunches up. “Is it to distract yourself or forget about a certain someone?”

“A little bit of both…” I don’t say I’ve come across a few impediments. Actually, it’s just one––him. I should be enraged at Blake for daring to mess with my dating life, but strangely, I am not. In my disillusioned mind, Blake doesn’t want me to date because he wants me for himself.

With a headache throbbing behind my temples, I hug my brother one more time and we walk toward our classes.

Mr. Thiel is my favorite professor. He engages the class by involving us and always challenging our opinions. His social and cultural studies class has always had heated but passionate debates about human nature. As a teacher, he’s my role model— never criticizing our opinions, instead questioning our arguments to reveal all layers.

When I step out of the classroom, Blake is there, a few feet away. Students crowding the hall steal glances at him and then at me.

I sweep my hand over my body as I reach him. “Yay. I survived my class. No gunman came after me.”

“Never joke about that.” There it is—that fire in his gaze that makes my insides combust.

“You’re right. Sorry, but you should do your thing. I can take care of myself.”

“I can’t stop looking after you.”

“But you don’t have to.”

“I can’t help myself.”

Somehow, we drew nearer during our talk. That always happens, as if an invisible cord wraps around us, pulling us closer. Our chests brush, and I crane my neck. My lips tingle just imagining his pressed against mine.

Break at the seams for me like I do you.

He cocks his head. “Do you have more classes today?”

“Why? Are you taking me out on a date?” I ask, totally playing, knowing full well he has my schedule memorized. Stalker.

He arches an arrogant brow, oozing unwavering confidence. “No one else would.”

He’s too appealing for my self-preservation. Period. I dig my finger into his chest, proud to hold my own. “Your confidence is astounding, but I will find someone. Watch me.”

“You keep saying that.”

Anger bubbles on the surface, and I turn on my heel. I’d date anyone now just to piss him off and shake his confidence a bit. I’ll show him. I am persistent, something he should know.

***

I change in my bedroom for the weekly dinner at the estate. As I wave my hand through my hair to add a bit of volume, my eyes peruse my collection of hair clips. I pick the one from my precious collection of the many he gave me, my hands shakingfrom the wave of emotions sweeping through me. He leaves one for me on my nightstand every night.

The dark romance book he’s reading lies face down on my desk. He’s almost finished with it. Every night during the last two weeks, he has come to my room while I pretend he’s not there. It’s become a damn routine. Like clockwork, he shows up at eleven p.m., walking in as if he owns the place.

Blake looks at me, then he takes his seat at my desk and starts reading. I know when he comes across a steamy scene—he shifts in his seat, and then watches me long and intently. I feel that intense gaze heating me up. It’s a miracle I haven’t jumped his bones to relieve both of our needs. Instead, I turn away, hoping he can’t hear my accelerated heartbeats.

I straighten my knee-length dress, slip on a jacket and boots, and walk downstairs before everyone else. When Blake descends the stairs, my ovaries practically scream in delight. He looks mouthwateringly good in a button-down shirt hugging his sculpted chest, and slacks fitting his toned thighs, paired with impeccable white sneakers.

We stare at each other. I lift my nose in the air, not breaking eye contact. A smirk tips up the corner of his mouth as he cocks his head.

I swirl around just to fuck with him. “Like what you see?”

“Dressing up for me, Silver?”

“No, I have a date after dinner.”

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