Page 7 of Ride or Die
LAYLA
A few days later, I am in the library working on a paper for my tax law course. Things are getting intense with midterms approaching. Students have that look of stress and panic all over their faces as they scurry around campus preparing. If you don’t get here early enough, sometimes it can be hard to find a seat.
I sit at one of the massive tables in the central atrium area, listening to classical music in my headphones while I type away on my laptop. I’ve always found this type of music helps me study better.
I set up camp here a few hours ago and am in the zone getting my projects done when I feel someone sit beside me and tap my arm. I immediately know who it is when his scent floods my senses, and I roll my eyes, basking in it. I’m drunk on lust for this guy.
I look over to see Colton with a grin on his face. It’s odd how the music I am listening to makes him look that much more attractive.
He gestures for me to remove my headphones, so I do.
“Hey there, White.” His deep, velvety voice cascades across my skin.
“Hawthorne,” I counter. He puts down an iced coffee on the table in front of me. I look at it, then at him.
“Have you started the tax law paper yet?”
I nod and turn my focus back to my laptop.
“Got any hints for me?” I turn back to him and he gives me a saucy smirk, trying to charm me with his devastatingly handsome looks.
“Nope.” I shove the stack of books I used in front of him. “But these do.” I give him a quick grin.
He chuckles and shakes his head as I put my headphones back on. I knew he was using me to get me to do his paper. He knows I’m not used to socializing, and figures between my immaturity, shyness, and the fact he saved me the other night, that now it’s my turn to help him.
But he’s just as smart as me, so this shouldn’t be much work for him. I’m not going to let this cocky asshole use me. I’m not that easy to manipulate, no matter how hot he is.
He stares at me and pushes the drink closer to me, so I take off my headphones again.
“This is for you,” he says. “I knew you would be here so I grabbed you one on my way.”
“You can’t bribe me,” I say, pushing it back. “And how’d you know I would be here?”
He rolls his eyes. “You're always at the library. Just take the fucking drink, Layla.” It’s like his voice purrs when he says my name. It rolls off his tongue perfectly, making my core tighten with desire that I try to ignore.
I nod. “Thank you.”
Thankfully, he doesn’t bother me again, and we work silently beside each other. At least, I try to, but I spend most of the timetrying to avoid gazing over at him and not allowing myself to faint from his intoxicating scent.
God, he's distracting me. Meanwhile, he’s completely focused, not affected by me in the least.
Once I finish my final project, a sense of pride falls over me. I lean back in my chair and stretch my back and neck with a smile on my face, admiring my paper. I will do a final edit tonight and then I can move on from this one.
Looking at the clock, I see it’s now six. I had a super productive day, but I need to eat. I love that I can get so immersed in my work at the library, but I always leave feeling hungry. You’d think I’d learn to bring a snack.
Coming back from putting the books away, Colton notices me packing up. “You leaving?”
“Yeah.” I nod, not making eye contact to avoid getting hypnotized by his gorgeous gray-blue orbs. I shove my laptop into its case and into my bag, grab my purse and garbage, and head towards the exit. I throw out my trash and go through the turnstile.
I step into the crisp October air and pause, taking a deep breath and admiring that fall smell. Something about a university campus in autumn—the way the leaves rustle through the walking paths, students milling about making new friends in a new, exciting phase of their lives—stirs an inspiring energy into the air.
It’s Thursday night, so everyone is either on their way to the next big event or study group. Meanwhile, I am going home and picking up a pizza on my way. Then I’ll edit my project and fall asleep early to something on TV.
I work at the campus coffee shop and take all the morning shifts, so I have to be on the train by five to get to work for six. I think it's the best on-campus job, as long as you’re a morning person. Which I am, the non-partying good girl of course. Theshift flies by with the morning rush plus I get discounted coffee and food.
After work, I either go to lectures or the library to read or do schoolwork. It's a routine I’ve grown accustomed to over my three years working there.
A body steps up beside me and I don’t have to look over to know who it is. I can smell him and feel the heat radiating off of him. I’ve never noticed someone’s smell so much in my life.
