Page 15 of Hook, Line, Infinity, Part 3

With an exhausted groan I force myself out of bed, eyes burning and limbs heavy I drag my feet toward the bathroom praying a lukewarm shower will help wake me up.

It didn’t, my eyes are bloodshot and no amount of make-up I plaster on my face helps rid the puffiness and dark circles under my eyes. To put it bluntly— I look like a steaming pile of cow dung.

The last bloody thing I want is for Talon to see me in this state. I don’t want him to know what a mess I’ve been or that his presence is affecting me. I mean, of course it is, the man still makes my heart race at an abnormal pace with those gorgeous blue eyes and my palms go all clammy when he smiles, and don’t get me started with that kiss. Though he caught me off guard, and I did technically kiss him back very briefly, I need to get a grip and stick to my guns if I’m going to make him believe that I’m over him.

“Rein!”

I gasp and almost leap right out of my skin when I hear Penny shriek my name the second I set foot into the building.

Fucking hell. Where did she just sprout from? Oh jeez, I bet she was casually loitering by the entrance waiting for me to arrive.

“Morning Penny,” I greet warily and sling the strap to my heavy, black leather tote bag full of books and materials over my shoulder, only just catching it before it hit the floor. “Were you waiting for me?”

“No silly, I was shamelessly flirting with Romeo.” She says waving my comment off and looking back smiling flirtatiously at the young security guard by the entrance. “Ugh he’s so hot, right?”

I frown and glance back once more to get a proper look at him while we start to walk. I mean, he’s not my type and I wouldn’t say he’s hot per se, unless you’re into the whole tattooed, shaved head brutish type. “Sure, if that’s your vibe.”

“What can I say I like them bad.” She gushes, bumping her shoulder with mine.

“Don’t we all.” I mutter bitterly under my breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” I sigh with a dismissive shake of my head whilst my eyes on their own accord are busy scanning the faces of the student’s corridor, inwardly telling myself that I’m not looking for him.

“Speaking of baddies, what’s the deal with you and Professor Beefcake hm?”

Professor beefcake? Oh, I just know Talon will love that nickname just as much as he did Professor Hottie. I’ve been here one day and people are already up in my grill, prying into my personal life. Is privacy no longer sacred? At least give me a minute to settle in before I’m interrogated for goodness sake. Not that I’ll ever tell her or anyone else what went down between us.

“Nothing.”

“It didn’t seem like nothing,” Penny states following me to the staff lounge. “You could cut the tension between you with a cricket stump. There’s clearly somethi—”

I press the key card to the reader and a redlight blinks back at me. After the third attempt I can feel the heat of annoyance rising rapidly from my gut toward my brain. I turn to face her, “Penny, no offence but I’d really rather not talk about the woes of my private life with my co-workers. I’m a very private person and I would like to keep my work and personal life separate.” I convey bluntly and swipe the card one last time.

Penny looks at me startled, momentarily stunned by my curtness. She eventually nods and holds her hands up in a silent gesture to show she’s backing off.

Damn, was that a bit too harsh? A pang of guilt fills me when I see the affronted look in her eyes. I’m exhausted, I’m on edge and my pregnancy hormones are running wild.

“Penny, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m feeling really crabby today.” I apologise. Penny forces a smile on her face and looks around the corridor. Shit, I think I offended her.

Way to go Rein, you’re on a great path to making new friends.

“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t pry. Of course you want to keep your personal life private and you absolutely should. You just looked a little… wounded when you saw him, that’s all.”

I lower my gaze and swiftly blink away the tears that gather in my eyes, “We have history and it ended badly, let’s just leave it at that.” Penny offers a smile and gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Come, let me buy you decaf coffee.”

My brows furrow in bemusement while I watch her saunter down the corridor, “Penny the coffee here is free?”

Penny snickers and beckons me to follow her, “Did I say buy, I meant borrow.”

“Borrow?” I intone, following her to the stairwell. “How does one borrow coffee? Also where are we going?”

“The executive floor. The Dean has one of those fancy coffee machines with Kona beans on his floor and it is to die for. Come on, we’ll get in and out before he arrives.”

Oh excellent, maybe we’ll get busted, and I can get fired before I’m forced to face Talon.

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