No One's Hero (Chadwell Hearts) (5 page)

“I'm not saying you can't live, you just have to be cautious.”

“That's just it. I'm done with caution. I want to drink till I'm stupid and stay up all night. I want to be brave enough to have my heart broken. I want it all. The good, the bad, and the indifferent. I mean it. I’ll let you be my bodyguard, but you can consider yourself along for the ride. I’m not going to let you dictate my choices.”

“For the record, the guy you were dating, Axel was right. He wasn’t good enough for you.”

How would he know, unless... I sigh. “Let me guess, you helped Axel scare him off?”

“I’m also the one who helped Axel dig up the dirt on him—I talked to a couple of his exes, and believe me, we did you a favor. That guy was bad news.”

“But it was my choice!” I can’t believe Kevin has been helping Axel meddle in my life for years. That man has a serious issue with boundaries.

“Maybe. But I’m good at my job, when given the chance to be. I don’t want you to fight me every step of the way.”

“Then don’t fight
me.
”

Kevin mutters something unintelligible under his breath. “Suffering in the dorm is that important to you?”

“I won’t be suffering.”

“We’ll see.” He smirks. “I’ve done the dorm thing, living with a bunch of sweaty guys in basic and then again in the desert. It sucked donkey balls. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say living with girls has got to be a whole lot worse. I bet you’ll be begging for that apartment by the end of the week.”

I cross my arms across my chest, determined to hang on to my idealized vision of college for as long as possible. I’m not going to let him ruin it for me. “Never.”

—-♥—-

K
evin

“There it is! There it is!” Lexi twists within her seatbelt, her fingertips pressed lightly to the tinted glass. “It’s beautiful.” Her breathy exclamation touches something within me, stirring feelings I’d rather not be having. But her exuberance is contagious, and a stubborn smile weaves its way across my lips. She’s a constant contradiction. Feisty and experienced, naïve and innocent. The world has dealt her crappy hand after crappy hand, yet she continues to cup her palms, believing that eventually, her serving will contain diamonds or gold.

I don’t get it, but I envy it. While I expect the worst, she’s determined to create the best.

And she’s a virgin.

As if the fact that she’s my client wasn’t enough of a reason for me to stop noticing the curve of her ass and the swell of her breasts, that one word is like a giant yellow caution sign. My heart’s a train wreck, and I absolutely cannot pull into her station, no matter how welcoming she might seem. Hearing her talk about living ripped at the necrotic flesh deep inside me. I recognize her primal need to feel, to experience. I remember what that was like. I remember who I was, before I gave up.

I can try to tell myself it’s just because I’ve gone without for a few days, but I always could smell a lie. It’s a good damn thing the lighting was so dim in the truck as she innocently proclaimed her burning desire to have sex, because for about two seconds I considered saying screw it and looking for the first dark parking lot I could find, and I know damn well the bulge in my jeans would have been visible if she were looking.

Which she wasn’t, because while I see her as a man sees a woman, she only sees me the way a petulant child sees a parent. She doesn’t give a shit about my intentions; she resents me for trying to keep her safe.

Which is probably a good damn thing, because if I fuck her, Axel will kill me, and he’s one of the only friends I’ve got left. It’s kind of hard to push away the guy signing your paycheck.

“I see the gate, and the spire!” Lexi points up ahead, bouncing (literally) in her seat. “I think that’s Charleston Hall.”  The trees planted at perfectly spaced intervals pause, permitting a view of a scrolled iron arch proclaiming Chancellorsville College. The sides of the gate are framed in red brick, coordinating with the brick and white-columned buildings visible through the veil of leafy trees. A white spire perches on top of the rectangular building tucked behind a majestic marble statue. Around its base, flowerbeds and circular benches offer a quaint place to study.  Everything is a bit too matchy-matchy for my tastes, but it’s obvious Lexi is enraptured. “Did you know Charleston Hall is one of the original structures? It was the estate house before they converted it to a college... It’s been renovated, but much of the structure was restored to its original design.”

Of course. Because we’d never want something to look its age. “I see. Any idea where we’re supposed to park?” I’m kicking myself for not planning ahead, but I wasn’t really thinking we’d be unloading stuff here. I’ve got to know better. I should not only know when and where her orientation is, but every entry and exit.

“We’ve got to check in on the quad first, there will be tables with people to direct us.” She glances at the dashboard clock and frowns. “Hopefully they are still there. Just pull into the visitor lot, it should be just ahead. We can move to C lot, closer to Bennett Hall, after we check in.”

Bennett Hall sounds vaguely familiar, and I remember seeing it written on some of the papers Axel gave me yesterday—it’s the dorm she was supposed to be in. A co-ed dorm.

Fantastic. I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a sigh. I glance around, wondering if there is anywhere close we can grab dinner. I think I saw a little diner a few streets before we got here, and I could seriously go for a burger right about now. Something hearty to give me the energy to brave the night that lies ahead. I can’t believe we’re staying in the fucking dorms when we have another option. What type of sane, normal person wants to share their living space with strangers? Me personally, I hate being in a crowd, and not just because it will make my job harder. I just value my own space.

Lexi bounds out of the truck before I’ve even cut the ignition, leaving me to curse and chase after her. “Don’t do that again.” I catch her by the elbow, but then let go when another student and his parents toss me a concerned look. The last thing I need is a bunch of do-gooders sticking their noses in her business.

“Don’t do what?” She starts toward the quad.

“Run off without me. You’ve got to give me time to check an area, or at the very least I need to be by your side.”

She rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”

On the quad, which is just a fancy name for the overly green lawn with flowerbed-lined sidewalks criss-crossing it that stretches out in front of Charleston Hall, resident advisers with fake smiles wait behind tables with letters taped to the front. Lexi and I approach the one marked D - F. Once she’s got her sheaf of papers clutched proudly in her hand and her student ID shoved in her pocket, we head back to the truck.

“Hand me the parking pass.” I hold out one palm, while opening the passenger door for her with my other hand.

She cocks her head at me, a strange smile on her face.

“What?” I prompt.

“Just you. I can’t figure out if you’re a caveman or a gentleman.”

I tap my chest. “Me hungry. You woman. Get in Flintstone-mobile.”

Her shoulders shake with laughter, but she hands over the pass and hops in. The campus is small, so the drive around to the back where the resident parking is only takes a few moments. She’s quiet during it, though her wide eyes still take in each new site with child-like wonder. I can’t help dwelling on the difference between how we see things. To her, everything is an untapped opportunity. To me, everything is a threat until it’s been assessed. While she gazes with wonder, I gaze with worry. Christ, she’s going to be nearly possible to contain. “Campus map.” I hold my open palm out again when she starts to unbuckle.

She shuffles her papers, then holds it up victoriously. “Right here. Looks like my dorm is just down that path, second building on the right.”

“Good.” I’m thinking about how much stuff she’s got to carry. It didn’t seem like much when I was loading it into the truck, but now I’m grateful she packed light. Unless of course it means I’m about to be subjected to days of shopping. “Stay here while I go check it out.”

“No way.”

“Lexi, be reasonable. Nick has the resources—yes, even from prison—to have learned what dorm you were assigned to. If he wanted to ambush you tonight, it would be the perfect place. I need you to let me do my job.”

“But—”

“Just stay here, lock the doors until I get back. I won’t be long, and then we’ll get you settled in.”

“I’m not a dog you can just order around.” Fire flashes in her eyes.

“No, you’re not. But if you’re smart—and I think you are—you’ll pick and choose your battles. You know you won about the dorm over the townhouse. Are you really going to be petty enough to argue over me checking it first? If you don’t want to fight, don’t. This is non-negotiable.” I lean over, slipping two fingers into the snug pocket of her jeans. Our faces are millimeters apart and her heated breath does something to me I can’t let myself think about. Snatching her student ID—which also unlocks the dorm door—from her pocket, I give her a quick wink and slide back. There’s no getting out of the truck fast enough to quench the desire bubbling inside me, and my feet hit the pavement jarringly fast.

This kitten is trouble, and she doesn’t even realize she’s sunk her claws in deeper than anyone’s touched me in a long time. Unfortunately for her, that’s only making me more determined to keep her safe. She’s just so damn vibrant and alive. And I’m going to keep her that way if it kills me.

—-♥—-

L
exi

He’s got some freaking nerve. Reaching into my pocket uninvited. Making my insides melt and respond. I groan inwardly. Why do I have to be so infuriatingly attracted to him? For whatever stupid reason, there’s chemistry between us that I can’t deny, and it’s making it hard to hate him. And I definitely want to hate him.

I
should
hate him.

Even if he did give in and let me have my way about the dorm without much fuss once he realized it was important to me. And even if his protective arms and tangible concern after I nearly crashed my car were exactly what I’ve been wanting for so long. He cares about
me,
for me. Except it’s still sort of for someone else, because he’s being paid to care. That’s all it is, a job, and I’d be a fool to think it was anything more. So why can’t I get the look in his eyes when he pulled me out of the car out of my mind? His expression was downright haunted, but something underneath it... I don’t know, it’s like he was looking at me like I was the most precious thing ever.

Then again, if I’m so precious, why am I left lonely and alone, waiting in the damn truck? I tap my foot anxiously against the floorboard. The clock on the dash counts the minutes.

6:29.

6:31.

At 6:34, a song I can’t stand drones through the speakers and I angrily smash the seek button, looking for a new station. I’m not impressed by any of the first few choices, so when it stops on a classical station I tap the button, letting it stay there. I’m not really a fan of classical either, but it’s better than nothing. Apparently my impatience has spread to the radio.

By 6:40, I know there’s no taming the raging beast inside and I pocket the keys, grab two of my bags, tuck my paperwork between my arm and my side, and head toward Bennett Hall after locking the truck behind me. Screw Kevin and his instructions. I really don’t get him. One minute he’s blushing and calling me beautiful. The next he’s cold as stone, barking orders like I’m a job he can’t wait to be rid of.

The setting sun’s colored the sky with pink, red, and orange strokes behind the towering brick building that is Bennett Hall, and I pause, shifting my bags to more evenly distribute the weight, which also gives me another chance to admire the view. I wonder which way the window in my dorm will face. I can already picture myself studying, curled up in the window seat like the girl on the brochure, with the setting sun streaming through pretty yellow curtains.

At the top of a brief set of steps, the double doors of Bennett Hall wait patiently for me to swipe my ID card. The ID card Kevin took.

Crap.

Not one to be deterred, I’m just about to set my bags down so I can knock and pray someone is able to hear me when I hear footsteps behind me on the steps.

“Hi there, need a hand?” His voice is sexy, but it pales in comparison to his gorgeous eyes. My savior has short, spiky blond hair, a thin but not too thin frame, and at least one tattoo peeking out beneath the sleeve of his T-shirt.

“That would be great; I was just trying to figure out how I was going to key in without setting my stuff down.” I flash what I hope is both a friendly and a grateful smile.

“Here, why don’t I carry your stuff, and you can let us in.” His offers me a relaxed smile of his own.

My hopes plummet. “Oh that’s okay, I’ve got them, if you want to just get the door?”

The door opens, saving me from having to either convince him the bags are not too heavy for me, or having to explain that I don’t have my key. A short girl with olive skin and cute, shoulder-length dark hair brushes past, carrying cardboard boxes. “Oops!” She crinkles her face in apology. “Sorry! I couldn’t see you all behind the boxes.”

“No worries.” I quickly duck inside. “Crazy around here today, huh?”

“Yup! I’m Megan, by the way. I’m in 228.”

“We’re neighbors then. I’m in 232.” I don’t really know what else to say. It’s been so long since I’ve done the make-new-friends thing. Not that we didn’t get new students at my high school—we did, I just didn’t bother because I knew they’d hear soon enough that was I was loser they should stay away from if they valued their reputation. Even in Pennsylvania farm country, my classmates didn’t understand my dedication to horses. Probably because for most of them, they didn’t need a ticket out of town. With such a strong equine and agriculture program here at Chancellorsville College, at least I’ll no longer be the weird horse girl everyone’s staring at.

“Awesome. See ya.” Megan skips down the steps with her boxes, and the boy with the striking emerald eyes holds out a hand.