King of Campus (15 page)

“It must be exhausting to be on like that all the time.”

Instead of replying to that comment, I take another long pull from my straw as her words roll around in my head.

Again I shrug my shoulders.  It’s all just part of playing ball.  Part of being good and having NFL scouts looking, talking, and making predictions about you.  It’s what I’ve worked my entire life for.  “It doesn’t bother me,” I say again almost as if I’m trying to convince myself instead of her.

Glancing away, she looks over at the smoothie shop across the street.  “I think that would bother me.  I like being anonymous.”

I don’t think I’ve ever been anonymous.  Even back in high school I couldn’t go anywhere in town without people talking to me about football and college and my chances of turning pro.

Hell, Dylan told me a few weeks ago that there was a picture of me disappearing inside the men’s room posted on some stupid website.

Can you believe that shit?

Thank god whoever was snapping the photo didn’t actually follow me in.

Not wanting to discuss my pseudo-celebrity status any longer, I steer the conversation in another direction. “So we’ll head back to your place, you can change, pick up your computer and we can take off for the library.”

She takes one last pull from her straw, finishing off her pomegranate berry smoothie before agreeing with my plan.  Again something stirs in my boxer briefs.

Two hours later, we’re camped out at the library.  We both have our laptops out and are typing away as we formulate a loose outline of what our project will entail.  It may sound a little obvious, but we’ve decided to delve into the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.

Because that dude couldn’t be more unethical if he tried.  There’s so much material to work with, it’s almost overwhelming.  Entire books, along with articles in business journals and newspapers, have been written about this subject, so research is plentiful.  And I don’t think I’m the only one who finds it interesting either because Ivy has been riveted to her computer screen for the last hour.  Every so often, she shakes her head, sharing some tidbit she’s stumbled across.

For just a moment, I sit back and watch her work.  My eyes start at the top of her head.  Her light brown colored hair is still piled high on her head in a messy bun like it was last night.  Even thinking about her spending time alone with Finn McKenzie has me gritting my teeth.  Her bright green eyes flash with intensity and focus.

Hell, I bet if I packed up all my shit and just walked away, she wouldn’t even notice.

I almost snort.

That shouldn’t turn me on… but damn if it doesn’t.

I’m used to girls tripping over themselves and each other just to get to me.  Brows sliding together, I rack my brain for a time when I actually had to work to get a girl’s attention.  Middle school, maybe?  It sure as shit wasn’t in high school or college.  Nope, chicks have always been plentiful.  Hell, I’m usually knee deep in pussy any given night of the week.

But being with Ivy is kind of… nice.  I’m enjoying the time we’re spending together.  She’s smart.  And pretty.  Not to mention really limber…

Because what happened at the smoothie shop has made me a bit more cautious, we’re buried way back in the stacks on the second floor. The last thing I want is to be interrupted by people who want nothing more than to inform me that the football team is off to a great start and ask how I think we’re going to fair against Buffalo, one of our biggest conference rivals, next weekend.

I also grabbed a ball cap from my apartment and now have it pulled low over my brow. My lips twitch thinking about meeting Ivy earlier in the hallway when we were leaving for the library.  She had looked me over before asking if this was what the Roan-King-version of incognito looked like.

Not bothering to answer, I just grabbed her hand and towed her out to my truck.

Like I said before, I like her sense of humor.  And I like that she’s finally allowing me to catch a glimpse of it.  I feel like she’s actually showing me who the real Ivy Kaster is.

Finally surfacing from the impressive amount of research she’s gathered, Ivy glances up from her computer screen before our eyes catch and hold.  It’s probably for the best if she doesn’t realize that I’ve been staring at her for a good five minutes now.

Something like that could potentially creep her out.

I swear she becomes more attractive every single time I look at her.

Someone needs to seriously explain how that’s even possible.

Something inexplicable tightens in the pit of my gut before I finally clear my throat.  “I think we’ve made a good dent with all the research we collected today.  Plus, we have a solid game plan regarding the direction we’re going to take this project in.”

Nodding, her teeth sink into that plump little bottom lip of hers.  Lowering her eyes from mine, she suddenly shifts in her chair before murmuring, “I’m really sorry for assuming that you weren’t serious about this project.”

Not saying a word, I lean back in my chair before stretching my long legs out in front of me.  I’m actually a little surprised she’s bringing this up.  Hesitantly her eyes lift before catching mine again.  “I didn’t want to get stuck with someone who wasn’t equally invested in putting the time in to both this class and the project.”

Because I’m genuinely curious as to how she jumped to that conclusion without really even knowing me, I keep my tone neutral. “Why would you think that?”

She jerks her narrow shoulders into a tight shrug.

But I can’t resist pushing for an answer. “Because I’m good at football, you just assumed I didn’t have much going on upstairs?”  As soon as the words shoot out of my mouth, red stains flag her cheeks.

Looking uncomfortable, she shifts in her seat. “Well… it’s not like I ever see you taking notes in class.”

She thought I wasn’t taking this class, or my entire freaking college education for that matter, seriously because she never sees me taking notes?  “I record all the lectures on my computer and it transcribes them for me so I can actively listen to the lecture and participate in class discussions.  That’s what works best for me.”

Her pink hued lips slowly tumble open.

For some strange reason I feel the need to prove this to her, so I click on the file that has all my classes listed in order.  Then I turn the computer towards her before using the touch screen to open up our business ethics class.  I watch her eyes quickly scan through the list of dated notes before slowly bouncing back up to mine.

If she didn’t look so appropriately chastised, which- damn it, is hot, I’d be a hell of a lot more pissed off.  “I’m really sorry, Roan. I jumped to conclusions about you that obviously aren’t true.”

I cock a brow.  “You mean the stereotype that all jocks are stupid and just get passed through the system because of their athletic abilities and what they’re able to do for the university?”

Even though I don’t intend the words to sound harsh, she still winces.  After all, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before.  It just sucks she naturally assumed that about me.

“Yeah, I guess so.”  Silently she worries her lower lip between her teeth as if she’s debating something with herself.  Finally she whispers, “I actually asked Dr. Paulson if she would consider giving me a different partner to work with.”  She holds my eyes steadily as she admits this.

Do I tell her that I already know she tried ditching me?

You know what?  I think I’m going to.  She needs to understand that I’m not the idiot she apparently thinks I am.

“Yeah, I know.”

Her eyes widen until I can see all the multifaceted flecks of green that make up the spectrum of hues within them.

Before she can even wrap her lips around the words, I continue, “I could tell that’s what you were talking about with Dr. Paulson.  I’m a pretty decent lip reader.”

Instead of looking impressed with my admission, because come on, it’s like a talent, she narrows her eyes.  “Seriously?”

Making a split decision, I jump out of my chair before closing the distance that separates us.  Grabbing her hand, I tug her to her feet.  And then we’re on the move.

“Where are we going?”  Her words sound breathless as I pull her along behind me.

“I want to show you something.”

With her free hand, she motions to our computers and bags.  “But what about all our stuff?”

“No one’s over here.  And we’ll only be gone for a few minutes, I promise.”

It takes a moment or two before we enter the main part of the library where there are about twenty or so tables all clustered together.  Pulling my Bulldogs ball cap a little lower, I scan the surrounding area until I see a couple sitting at one of the wooden tables.  They have books spread out between them but they’re way too deep in conversation to be doing any actual studying.  In fact, it looks as though they’re in the middle of a heated exchange.

Which is perfect.

I can’t help but realize that Ivy’s fingers are still enclosed in mine and that they feel damn good.  Kind of like they belong there.  She trails behind me as I find a table for us to park ourselves at.  Once we’re both seated on the same side next to one another, I glance around making sure I’ve gone undetected.  Which I have.

Leaning towards her, I point to the couple I’ve scoped out for this little exercise.

“Okay,” pausing, I study his lips, “he just asked why she’s so pissed off.”  My eyes swivel instantly to the girl.  Moving a little closer to Ivy, I talk in a hushed tone.  At first I think she might balk at how close I am, but then I whisper, “She says she doesn’t like the skank who was just over here talking to him.”  Her entire body relaxes as I continue.  My eyes slide back to the dude.  “He’s saying he barely knows the girl.”  I pause.  “Oh, she’s saying that he seems to know her pretty well and if he’d rather be with someone like that, there are plenty of other guys who are interested in being with her.”  Ivy stifles a small giggle and I can’t resist smiling as I continue following their conversation.

Even though she’s watching the couple as if it’s a TV show, she still asks with a fair amount of skepticism, “Are you really reading their lips?”

Her breath feathering over my ear sends a sudden chill racing down my spine.  Taking my eyes off the arguing couple, they arrow straight to hers.  God, but she’s so damn close.  Only inches away.  I search her vibrant green depths.  As I do so, her breath hitches.

I feel it all the way down to my toes.  Which is ridiculous… but altogether true.

Almost of its own accord, my body strains towards her.  Just as I’m thinking about going in for a kiss, she gasps, “Look.”

Turning, I glance over to the couple in question just in time to see another girl walk past them.  Actually, that chick is shaking her hips in more of a sexy saunter.  Then she trails a hand lightly over the guy’s shoulder as she continues on her way.  The girl sitting at the table punches him in the bicep before packing up her things and huffing off towards the main entrance of the library.

“I can’t believe you were actually reading their lips.”

As I turn towards her, a small grin of satisfaction touches my mouth.  Then I grab her hand again, pulling her to her feet.  “Come on, we’d better get back to our table before someone hijacks both our computers.”

Again I hold her hand firmly within my own as we make our way back to the second floor.  I really do like the soft feel of her skin pressed against my calloused palm.  I almost don’t want to relinquish the hold I have on her.  But once we reach the table, there’s no reason for me to keep holding it.  So, rather reluctantly, I let her go.  Once again she settles across from me.

For just a moment, we both look down at our laptops and the papers strewn across the table.

“Well, I think we’re off to a good start,” she finally says.

“Definitely.”  Nodding in agreement, I start shutting down my computer.  “So… you don’t mind handling the rest of this project on your own, do you?”

Her hands still right before her eyes slice to mine.  For just a moment she doesn’t say a word.  But I can’t hold in the laughter that’s already starting to vibrate within my chest.

Shaking her head, she says with just a hint of humor threading her voice, “You’re such a jerk.”

I’m still chuckling.  “I’ve been called worse.”

She treats me to an actual smile.   “I don’t doubt it.”

Standing up, I can’t resist holding my hand out to her one last time. “Come on, let’s get the hell out of here.”

Chapter Twelve

Now this is some seriously breaking news- Roan King was actually photographed several times in the company of a certain brown haired young woman.  Does anyone know who the vixen in question is? KingOfCampus.com

“Oh my god,” Lexie squeals loudly before shaking me so hard that it’s entirely possible a few fillings in my teeth have loosened.

Groaning, I try knocking her off me.  “What the hell, Lexie?  It’s like seven in the morning.  Get out of here.”  I try rolling away from her sadistic tirade but she won’t stop molesting me.

“Get your ass up!  You absolutely have to see this!”  Her voice continues to rise in decibel.