Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
I hold my hand up, the light catching on the ring. "I really don't think that is going to be a problem, not with the giant ring on my finger and the knowledge that you’ve gone from player to husband in a matter of weeks.”
“Player?” His tone is teasing, relaxed. “I don’t remember promising any of the women I’ve ever been with anything. They knew the score.”
He’s not lying, I suppose, but it doesn’t change the fact there were so many before me. I stare out the window at the frosty multi-colored leaves. "I mean, yeah. It’s not like you dated anyone, although I could be wrong. I don’t recall you ever having a girlfriend, but I can tell you a good majority of those girls thought they were the one.” Almost absentmindedly I massage my upper arm where two perfect scars are hidden.
“First of all, that’s their problem. If they thought it was more than what it was I can’t help that. Secondly, just because you didn’t see me with anyone doesn’t mean I wasn’t with anyone.”
“Oh, believe me, I know. I changed your bed sheets. But there is a difference between being with someone physically and dating them.”
“Says the one who lost her virginity to me.” He snickers, and my cheeks heat. He turns into campus parking a few minutes later, and we head to my first class, an animal biology seminar. When he said we needed to return to classes I didn’t actually think we were going to be attending classes together but here we are. As I suspected him to always be, Sebastian is the model student as he takes the spot beside me. I find myself glancing at him on and off through the lecture and smile when I notice him jotting down notes on his tablet.
At the end of the lecture, I stand and peer over his desk. He's drawn little doodles of stick figures in inappropriate positions. Should’ve known he wasn’t taking notes. When I shake my head at him, he grins at me, and I can't help but grin back.
This feels normal. It feels...good.
Until I glance up the tiered seats to the girls in the back row and catch them glaring at us.
I shoulder my bag. "Let's go. I think I need some coffee."
He doesn't argue and shoves out of the chair quickly, following me out of the lecture hall. We make it to the coffee cart stationed in the quad, and I'm relieved to notice hardly anyone seems to be watching us. I mean yes, students are looking but not in a way that makes me feel singled out. The line is longer than I remember, but we stand together, my own impatience intensifying my anxiety. Sebastian reaches for me and links his fingers with mine lazily. My insides warm from the gesture and touch. He’s never shown me off before, and I’m not really sure how to handle it.
It’s nice, but it also makes me feel like the spotlight is on me.
"Well, isn't this fucking cozy," A mocking voice cuts through the warm cuddly feelings, tossing me deep into shark infested waters.
Whirling around, I spot Tanya as she ambles towards us. God, please kill me now. I try not to stare at her, but it’s damn near impossible when she looks like she walked off the page of a magazine, a fur wrapped around her upper body while her legs are encased in skin tight denim. Her dark hair is straight and hangs down to her waist, shimmering in the sunlight.
There’s a shift in the air around me, a sudden rush of cold, and I look at Sebastian, watching as his features change in an instant. Releasing my hand, he takes a step forward.
"What the fuck are you doing here, Tanya?"
She shrugs. "Whatever I want. It's a public campus, and I'm a very generous donor. No one is going to stop me from getting a coffee."
I clench my fists, suddenly returning to that night where I watched her straddle him in the study. I hate her and not because of what she’s done to him but because of the shitty person she is.
Her hard gaze shifts back to me, judgment building with every blink as she takes in my features and the love bites Sebastian left on my neck.
"Oh, Elyse, you look tired." She leans in and brushes her lips against my cheek. "It won't be long until he gets tired of you, too. Just wait," she whispers, barely loud enough for me to hear.
Seb circles my waist with one arm and hauls me backwards, putting distance between Tanya and myself. She smiles like she expected him to make that move."Well, I'll leave you two love birds. I have a meeting with the dean that I need to get to. I’d hate to be late when he’s always so accommodating.”