Page 18 of The Substitute
Ambrose: Seriously. Are you okay?
Ambrose: You didn’t go back to the bridge, right?
Ambrose: Tobi!
“Are you not allowed to study when you have a boyfriend? Sounds toxic in a not fun way.”
“What? That’s not. No.” I shake my head and respond to Ambrose, so he stops freaking out. Savage is confusing me, and I don’t know how to answer him without making myself look even more pathetic.
Tobi: JFC! Leave me alone!
“Sorry,” I mumble and put the phone on the seat next to me.
“What does he want?” There’s a very smug expression on Savage’s face as he leans closer and glances at my lips.
I’m not telling this man that I was suicidal and his brother, who he hates, saved me.
“Just seeing where I am, I guess.”
“Hmm. And did you tell him?”
I laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “No.”
“Why not?”
“If he had a location, he would probably show up,” I say, holding up a finger. “And I really don’t want to deal with his shit mood when he finds out I’m with you.”
“He does seem to get huffy when I’m around.”
I lift an eyebrow at him. “And I would love to know why that is.”
Savage shrugs. “My mom married his dad, who’s a real prick. We don’t really get along.”
“I’ve noticed.” I say, trying to silence my phone as it buzzes again. But this time, Savage snags it and shoves it into his jacket pocket. “Hey!”
“It’s rude to be texting when you’re having a conversation with someone. You’ll get it back when we’re done.”
The casual way his body language and tone shift to one that brooks no argument from me is both terrifying and sexy as fuck. How did he do that?
“What was that?” I ask him, eyeing him to see if I can figure out what changed.
“What was what?”
“That change in your demeanor to be all…” I motion to him, not really knowing how to describe it.
A knowing smile full of sexual promise lifts one side of his luscious lips. That is not helping the situation, and my cock is very interested in whatever he’s promising.
“You like it, so what does it matter?”
“I didn’t say that.” My chest and neck heating is not helping me make my point.
“Not with words.” The way he drags his attention down my body is alluring and makes me nervous. He clearly knows what he’s doing, and I have limited experience here. No one has ever looked at me like this, and all at once, I want so much more of it and for it to stop immediately.
We get back to work, he orders food, and when I realize how long we’ve been here, I’m surprised I’ve had a good time. I’m caught up on notes and the reading, Savage somehow convinced me to eat, and I’ve laughed more than I have in months.
“Thanks for this. I appreciate it.” I shove my stuff in my bag so I don’t have to look at him.
“Of course.” He stands and waits for me. “I’ll walk you back.”
