Compared to Alexis, I was a poor example of what might be termed hot. Her Lebanese DNA gave her a stunning olive-toned skin and a gorgeous head of black hair. Not to mention her body was fantastic, with contours that I could only dream about.
There were no doubt men that gazed at her regularly.
“That’s easy for you to say,” I murmured, feeling sorry for myself.
“You’re insane if you don’t think you’re hot.”
I gave her a get-the-fuck-out-of-here look.
“What?” She genuinely looked shocked that I didn’t believe her. “You are gorgeous, Gracie. You’ve got that gorgeous alabaster, flawless complexion, and incredible hair with red highlights. And your eyes,” She made a disgruntled noise.
“You have the bluest, prettiest fucking eyes I’ve ever seen.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re ridiculously hot in that innocent- schoolgirl way, and it’s annoying.”
I giggled at how upset she looked. That was all good and sweet that she said that, but it didn’t mean I believed her. Would she still see me the same way if she knew I hadn’t so much as had a guy feel me up? If she knew I was a virgin, so inexperienced it was ludicrous, she’d definitely believe there was something wrong with me.
“So, about Professor Baldwin.” She wagged her eyebrows.
“Nothing. Never mind.”
“Come on,” she murmured and smirked. “Don’t be embarrassed.”
As I glanced at Alexis, seeing the way she was so confident, how she knew what she wanted and wasn’t scared to go after it just put me in a horrible mood.
“I’m not embarrassed,” I eventually answered and stuffed my books in my bag. “But I am going to be late for work.” I flashed her a smile and noticed on her face that she wanted to fight, maybe ask more, wonder why I’d brought this up like an idiot.
“Okay,” she replied in submission and slumped back in her chair. “How about drinks later tonight?” And just like that the subject was changed.
Movement out of the corner of my eye had me looking to the right. My mouth quickly got dry, my stomach churning. I watched as Professor Baldwin stepped in, his dark brown leather satchel over one shoulder, a stack of papers in his palm. His black hair draped over his forehead and out to the side, as if he’d run his fingers through it, pushing it aside.
He had this hard look on his face, a harsh attitude. But I’d become used to that, come to know it was just him.
And that was one of the reasons I’d fallen so deeply for him. He was immovable, like a mountain, like steel. Hard and unapologetic, Professor Baldwin was as intellectual as he was stubborn.
It was all those qualities that pulled me to him, that had me thinking of— fantasizing—about no one else. It was him. Only him.
I couldn’t look away from him, couldn’t stop watching as he stalked into the library and headed back to one of the unoccupied tables. It was as if he ruled the room, filled it with this cold air that had goose bumps growing on my arms, my hair standing on end.
And then he lifted his head and turned and stared right at me, our gazes clashing, the feeling of my eyes enlarging giving away how I genuinely felt.
Bared and vulnerable, as if I were looking into the eyes of a violent beast, of a predator about to pounce.
But the point was… I wanted to be his prey.
The way he gazed at me was planned. It felt as if time slowed, as if there was no one else in the library other from the two of us. I felt this tie between us, tugging me closer to him, like if he were my lifeline. It was such a consuming feeling, one that perplexed me as much as it frightened and thrilled me.
“So, drinks?” Alexis asked, breaking through the granite-like hold I had with Professor Baldwin.
I looked across at Alexis, thankful she was busy looking down at her phone, not noticing who I’d been starring at, how closely I’d been studying him.
And although he’d stared at me as well, I felt like it was an innocent glance, one done in passing. I was the one who couldn’t have looked away, who felt my heart plummeting into my stomach.
“Earth to Gracie.”
I blinked a few times, my vision focusing as I peered at Alexis. She studied me, one of her dark, elegantly arched eyebrows lifting.
“Drinks, are you up for them tonight?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I have to work until six, but after that I’m free.”
