Page 18 of His To Unravel
I turn my attention back to the screen, hoping to regain my composure, but it’s useless. To him, I’m sure this feels natural, as if he belongs next to me. But for me, every second is filled with an awareness that I’m blurring the boundaries I’ve worked so hard to maintain.
After a few minutes, he leans in again, his voice barely audible. “It’s different, being here with you.”
I freeze, my gaze locked on the screen, but I feel the pull of his presence, his words wrapping around me like a secret meant only for us.
“Olivia,” he adds softly, my name a gentle command. When I look up, his cool blue gaze holds mine, unwavering and intense. A silent message, an invitation that stirs something in me I don’t entirely understand.
Carolyn gives me a look from the other side, half-amused, half-surprised, and I force myself to look away, pretending to focus on my notes.
But no amount of distraction can erase the elation coursing through me—the undeniable sense that I’ve crossed a line and there’s no turning back.
SEVEN
nathaniel
As the finalwords of Professor Jones’s lecture fade and students begin gathering their belongings, I remain seated, my attention fixed on Olivia.
Her awareness of me is palpable, a quiet, simmering current that hasn’t let up in the past hour.
She’d been on edge, glancing at me like she couldn’t help herself, and I could see the ripple of her reactions as clearly as if I were inside her head.
Which, of course, is exactly where I intend to be.
Choosing to sit beside her wasn’t just about access—it sent a message. One that every student in that room picked up on immediately. Her proximity to me? It said something about her place in my life. I wanted them to recognize her, to feel that ripple of curiosity and question what had shifted between us. But more than that, it was about building familiarity—turning presence into habit, and habit into thought.
I got a surprising thrill from the simple pleasure of watching her grow flustered, trying to remain composed, pretending she could ignore the pull between us.
My mind twists in unexpected directions as I observe her, enthralled by the way she tries to hide her emotions yet wears them so visibly. The attraction toward her grows stronger with each passing moment, a genuine urge to be close surfacing from somewhere far beyond mere strategy.
She picks up her bag and glances back at me, a flash of uncertainty in her eyes. I silently rise and fall into step beside her and Carolyn, as they make their way into the bustling hall.
Carolyn immediately brightens, her eyes gleaming as she throws Olivia a quick look before sidling up to me.
“Well, this is unexpected,” Carolyn says, grinning. “How nice of you to accompany us, Nathaniel.”
I offer a polite smile, catching the way Olivia glances at me from the corner of her eye. “I’m Olivia’s partner for the project,” I reply simply. “Thought I’d stick around, and I’d love to hear your take on the lecture, Olivia.” I shift my gaze back to her, letting the invitation settle.
“Oh, uh…” Olivia blinks, seemingly surprised I’d asked. “I thought his take on market entry was insightful, especially his point about balancing aggressive entry with cultural sensitivity—most people overlook entirely.” A slight flush creeps across her cheeks.
“Good insight,” I reply, unable to hide the pride in my tone. I let my gaze linger, reveling in the effect it has on her.
Carolyn clears her throat. “Nathaniel, what’s your take on the assignment?”
“Straightforward,” I respond brusquely, returning my focus to Olivia. “Olivia, did you manage to get everything down?”
Olivia glances up, stifling a smile, and nods. “More or less. Though I was a little distracted.”
“Glad to hear it,” I say low enough for only her to hear. The faint smile that played at her lips sends a surge of satisfactionthrough me. She softens under my gaze, her guard inching down even as she tries to maintain her composure.
Carolyn glances between us, her expression shifting to amusement. She starts to speak again but thinks better of it, her gaze settling on Olivia instead.
When we reach Olivia’s next class, I pause outside the door and she turns to me. The rest of the hall fades into the background around us, and for a moment, it feels like she and I are the only two here.
“Thank you for the company, Olivia,” I say softly before I lean in and press a tender kiss to her forehead.
Her breath catches and when I pull away, her eyes are wide. The surprise quickly softens to something more curious, an unspoken question in her eyes.
“I’ll see you later,” I promise, holding her gaze.
