Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
"Hey," I call out as I draw near. "Emma, right? From last night?"
She turns around, surprise clear on her face. "Luke, hi," she says, a hint of shyness in her voice. "Um, yeah, that's me. Did you need something?"
Her innocence is so damn tempting. I take a step closer, drinking in her appearance. Her face is flush, and her eyes bright.
"I just wanted to check in, make sure everything's okay," I murmur, resisting the urge to reach out and touch her.
"Oh," she says, sounding a little breathless. "That's really sweet. Everything's fine."
The tension between us is electric. I can't tell if she's feeling it too or if it's just me. But either way, I need to get a hold of myself.
"Good," I manage, taking a step back. "I'm glad."
She smiles, and I melt a little bit inside.
"Thanks for checking on me," she says. "That was thoughtful of you."
"Anytime." I mean it, too. The thought of Emma alone and scared makes my blood boil. "Listen, you didn't get my number last night. I'd like to give it to you in case you ever need anything."
I hold out my hand, and after a beat of hesitation, she places her phone in it. Her fingers brush against mine, and the urge to take her hand in mine, pull her to me, is powerful.
I quickly enter my number into her contacts and hand her phone back.
"Thanks," she murmurs, biting her lower lip.
God, she's so fucking cute.
"No problem."
We stand there in awkward silence for a moment, neither of us seeming to know what to say. What the hell am I doing? I'm a grown fucking man, why am I sitting here letting things get weird? Hell no. I'm better than this.
"Where are you going now? Class? Back to your dorm?"
Emma looks surprised at the barrage of questions but smiles.
"Actually, I'm on my way back to the dorm. I just finished a study session with my roommate, Sarah."
She's looking up at me with those wide green eyes, and fuck, I can't resist.
"Well, let me walk you. I haven't got anything else going on and could use the company."
I don't know if it's true or not, but that doesn't stop Emma from smiling as we start walking. We chat as we go, the conversation easy and flowing. It's a little surprising, considering how shy she seemed last night, but I'm not gonna complain.
Emma tells me about her classes, her major, and her plans for the future. She's obviously passionate about literature, and the way her eyes light up when she talks about her favorite authors makes my chest tighten.
I can't believe how lucky I am. This girl—this perfect, sweet girl—is walking beside me, talking about her dreams and her hopes. And she's opening up to me. She's trusting me with this intimate information, and all I want is to fuck her senseless. She has no idea.
When we reach the dorm, Emma pauses at the door.
"Thank you," she says, her voice soft and sincere, "for walking me back and listening to me go on about books."
"Anytime," I say again. My voice is rough, and I clear my throat, trying to regain some composure.
"Well, this was fun," Emma says, a small smile tugging at her lips. She's so fucking adorable, and it takes all my self-control not to kiss her right then and there. "I thought we might see each other again. Thanks for making my dream a reality."
She's trying to be funny, I can tell, but I want to yell and pound my chest at the sharp satisfaction I feel knowing that I've been on her mind. That she did want to see me again and is playing it off, just in case I am really here just as an Iron Guardian.
"It's not a dream. In fact, I'll be around a lot more," I say.
Emma cocks her head and gives me a puzzled look.
"Really? How's that?"
Remembering how to be charming, how to be seductive, is like waking up a sleeping bear inside of me that has been hibernating for God knows how long. I can feel the beast in me stretching, muscles coming to life for the first time in so long, as I take a step forward and lift Emma's face towards mine with my thumb under her chin. The motion is smooth, and she gasps at the connection but doesn't pull away.
"Because I like you, Emma. And I plan to spend more time with you … if that's something you're okay with." And if you're not okay with it yet, how do I get you there? How do I make you crave me the same way I crave you?
I watch her as I say these words. My voice is low, practically a growl, and Emma swallows visibly, her eyes wide. A blush creeps over her cheeks, and I can't help but wonder what other parts of her turn such a pretty pink when she blushes.