Total pages in book: 12
Estimated words: 11057 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 55(@200wpm)___ 44(@250wpm)___ 37(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11057 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 55(@200wpm)___ 44(@250wpm)___ 37(@300wpm)
I hang up and tuck my phone in my back pocket. What’s the point of listening to her? Zuri is nice enough, but she’s always got bad news. The more I listen to her, the more upset I’ll be. After the high of last night's kiss, I’m plummeting back to reality. One where I’m forced to leave the only stable place I’ve ever been.
In my home country, I was brought up in an orphanage because I was abandoned as a baby. I knew from the moment I could talk that if I wanted out, I had to be smart. I learned all that I could and when I got the opportunity to go to America on a scholarship visa, I jumped at the chance. I thought this would be my big break and that coming here would change my life. It has, in so many wonderful ways, but maybe it was a mistake. Now I know what’s on the other side of the looking glass, I’m not sure how I’m supposed to go back to life before I came here. How do I leave all this behind and go to a country that never felt like it fit? I’ve made friends, I’ve lived, and now I have to go back and close my heart. The thought sends tears down my cheeks, and I angrily wipe them away.
It’s not fair, but nobody ever told me life would be. All that I have is because I worked my ass off. I just have to figure out what the hell I’m going to do next.
“Hey.”
The sound of his soft voice makes my head snap up. When I see Beckett leaning against the wall in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest, I think he might not be real. That’s when I notice he’s scowling, and I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up out of me.
Am I going crazy? Maybe. My emotions are all over the place, and the absolute last thing I expected to see was the blue-eyed devil from the club last night.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
I realize there are still tears on my cheek and wipe them away. “It’s nothing. What are you doing outside my class?” I change the subject as he pushes off the wall and comes closer.
“I was waiting for you, then I saw you take a call.” He nods to my pocket. “Is everything okay?”
“What?” I stall, trying to think of a lie. “Oh, that? It was nothing. Just bad news about a final. It’s all good.”
“Hmm,” he says, and I know he’s not buying it.
“Seriously, how the hell did you find me?” His hair is wet, and I wonder if he’s fresh out of the shower. The image of him naked with soapy water running down his muscled body stirs something low in my belly.
“River.” He shrugs like it’s obvious. “Have you eaten?” As if on cue, my stomach growls, and he grins. “Want to grab some food before your next class?”
I check my watch and see I’ve got some time until my lab. “A little,” I hedge, not sure I’m truly believing what I’m seeing. Has this gorgeous man really tracked me down just to have breakfast with me? And what about that kiss? I’m weak in the knees remembering his lips on mine.
As if he’s thinking the same thing, he walks right up against me until my back is pressed to the wall. “A little is all I need, baby.” He leans down, and this time when he kisses me, he slides his tongue against mine.
He’s so big and strong as he holds my face and devours me like I’m his last meal. God, I’ve never felt anything so overwhelming, and all I want to do is wrap my body around his and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
When I moan, he smiles against my lips and then takes a step back. I’m in a fog of lust as he takes my hand and leads me out of the building.
“Now let me feed you while you tell me what that phone call was really about.”
Chapter Four
Beckett
“Are you stuffing them in your bag?” I crane my neck over to Emma’s side of the table, and she laughs as she shakes her head.
“No, I was just hungry. Don’t make fun of me.” Her cheeks tinge with embarrassment, and it’s the cutest thing ever.
“I’m not making fun of you, I’m seriously impressed.” I push my plate of waffles closer to her. “You can even have mine too if you want some more.”
“I think five is enough for now.” She chews on her last piece of bacon as she leans back in her seat. “I could go for a nice long nap right about now.”
“Did you not sleep well last night?” I’m suddenly concerned for her sleeping arrangements. “Where are you staying? Are you on campus?”