Page 15 of Savage Seduction

I set my jaw and widen my eyes into a nonverbal threat. London blinks a few times in rapid succession and then smiles before tearing her gaze away from him.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she says, waving her hand in front of the two of us, “whatever this is, but I’m London James.” She offers her hand.

Ben stands and they exchange a handshake. The huge smile on London’s face and the way she stared down at their hands makes me smile. My best friend approves of Ben, and things in my world just got a little easier.

I stand and give London a hug once she lets go of Ben and then whisper in her ear. “He might call me tonight for a date.”

“Can I come?” she asks.

I squeeze the breath out of her before letting go.

“Kidding.” London smiles up at Ben. “Max, we really need to get to class. The crowd is forming outside the lecture hall, and I won’t pass the test unless we sit in our usual seats.”

I nod. “Absolutely.” Turning to Ben, I open my arms, offering him a hug. He leans in and wraps his strong arms around me. Ben smells great, a mix of sandalwood and man. “Thanks again for the pep talk andcoffee.”

“Absolutely,” he says, letting go and stepping back. “I’ll call you tonight?”

“I’d like that.”

“Good luck on your tests. It was great to meet you, London.”

“You too.” She hooks her arm through mine and pulls me away. “He’s hot,” she whispers.

“I know, right?”

“Tell me everything. What’s he all about?” We climb the flight of stairs arm in arm and turn down the hall toward our classroom.

“His name is Benjamin Cooper. He’s an Emergency Room physician.”

“Good kisser? I mean, those dimples are hot.”

I laugh. “I don’t know. We haven’t kissed.”

She stops dead in her tracks. “One of you isn’t playing for the right team… What are you saying to me?”

I slap her arm playfully and tug her forward toward class. “We just met. You know how I like to take things slow.”

“Where’d you meet? No… let me guess. Bumble? Match? Okay Cupid? Do not tell me you used the Devout Singles or Farmer4Farmer apps?”

“Eww. No, we met at Taco Caliente.”

London fake gags. “Gross. I’ve told you a hundred times they use rat meat in their tacos.”

“Shut up, they do not.” I chuckle. “How many times have I told you your Auntie’s cousin’s husband’s best friend’s girlfriend is not a reliable source of information.”

“Umm, wrong. It’s my Auntie’s cousin’s wife’s best friend’s girlfriend… and she worked there.”

“Anyway, he came over and sat next to me, but we didn’t get much of a chance to talk because there was a car accident.”

“Ugh, let me guess, you had to help save a life? You’re such an amazing badass… you know that?”

I smile. “Please don’t ever stop reminding me of that. While I was waiting for you, Ben shows up out of nowhere and says he’s teaching a class here for an Anatomy and Physiology professor.”

“Destiny… shit wasn’t there a painting titled Destiny? Who painted that?”

I shake my head. “No. You’re thinking of John Gast. Late 1800s. He did a Manifest Destiny series of paintings.”

“I’m not going to pass.”

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