Rough: Daunting Temptation (Coral Gables Series Book 1) (9 page)

"No, it's yours. That's the way you talk about the guys you fancy," I counter with a smirk.

That makes her laugh. "What? You fancy Ethan now?"

"Nope. I like him as a friend, but that's as far as it goes."

I keep digging through my backpack. "Shit, I think I forgot my sandwich."

"I've already eaten mine, or else I'd have shared. Thally isn't even here yet. You want to head over to the cafeteria and buy one?" she asks.

"Yes, I'll be back in a minute. Can I leave my bag here with you?"

"Sure."

I take out my cafeteria smart card and run over to the large building that houses student services. I hope there will still be sandwiches, because on most days, these are sold out first. I'm glad it isn't far, because I am really starving. If I had to run across the whole campus now, I'd go mad. I walk into the noisy great hall and zoom in on the buffet counter. One lonely sandwich is waiting for me. When I reach out to grab it, another hand is faster.

"You have to get quicker, Sweets," Ave grins.

I look up at him. "Could you please give it to me, Ave? I forgot my lunch at home, and this is the only thing I can eat outside." I give him my best puppy dog impression.

"I'm in a hurry, or I would give it to you. Get a salad instead, Sweets. I'm sorry," he shrugs and turns away.

I heave a sigh. "Can this day get any shittier?" I murmur. I head for the large fridge and take out two yogurts. Then I go to Colleen, who works here as a cashier.

"Hi, Camille. How are you?" she asks.

"Don't ask. How about you?"

"Oh, I am fine. Delsin Rough smiled at me fifteen minutes ago. That guy is so cute," she says dreamily.

"Oh, please, Colleen, you're far too good for him."

She swipes my card over the scanner. "I know, but he is just so hot."

"Tell me about it."

"Enjoy your meal."

"I'll try." She hands me the card back and I walk to the door. Two yogurts won't quell the hunger, but I don't want to sit alone at a table.

"Camille," someone calls.

I look around and then I see him. Delsin waves me over. I point to the door and shake my head.

"Come on over," he yells.

"No," I yell back and leave the cafeteria. I want him to leave me alone, once and for all. Saturday night was embarrassing enough, and I don't want the other students to talk about me.

"Wait up, yo," he shouts behind me.

I roll my eyes and turn around. "
What is it?
"

"I just wanted to know why you left without a word on Sunday. Why?"

"Because I needed to get home and study," I answer.

"You study on a Sunday morning? I woke up at eight thirty, and you were already gone. Why do you keep evading me?" he insists.

"It's better this way."

"Why?"

"Because it is better this way," I repeat. "Would you excuse me now? I want to eat and they're waiting for me."

"Who's waiting?"

"My friends," I answer and turn away.

"Two tiny little cups of yogurt? That's not going to satisfy you," he decides.

"Yes, it will."

Delsin sighs. "Go out to dinner with me tonight, Camille. I'll take you out. I'm going to pick you up at eight."

"No, thank you."

"Oh, and you still haven't given me your new phone number," he says.

"Delsin, ask Ave for it. Tell him I said he can give it to you. Right now I am in no mood for anything further," I say and walk away.

"See you, Camille."

I wave over my shoulder and walk the rest of the way back to the tree, where I sit down next to Hailey.

"He's not going to leave you alone," she states.

"I wish he would," I sigh. Then I pull off the lid of the first cup. Finally, food.

"Why do you think he is following you around like a lost puppy?" Hailey asks.

"He said he feels attracted to me."

She whistles. "Poor sod."

"I guess I'm going to have to avoid him, or he'll never leave me alone."

"If you avoid him, he'll only be more persistent. I tried it and still ended up doing it in the back seat of his car, Cami."

I put down the empty yogurt cup and open the second one. "He wants to take me out to dinner tonight."

"What did you say?" Hailey wants to know.

"I declined," I say calmly and keep on eating.

"Ten bucks he's going to show up on our doorstep tonight anyway!" she laughs and holds out her hand.

"Ten bucks he won't," I grin and we shake hands.

"What are you two on about?" Thalia asks as she sits down next to us.

"Oh, Cami and I just made a bet. Delsin Rough asked her out to dinner, she declined, and now I am certain he's going to show up tonight to pick her up," Hailey explains.

"Oh, I see. I'm in. How much?"

"Ten bucks each. What's your guess?" I want to know.

"I say he'll come round," Thalia giggles.

"Why do you always have to team up against me?" I smirk.

"Because we can," they shout in unison, and then we all start to laugh.

"By the way, tomorrow Cami also has a date with Ethan," Hailey tells Thalia.

"And you can't keep your big mouth shut," I scold her playfully and frown.

Hailey holds up her hands in defense as she tries to stifle a new burst of laughter.

"Isn't Ethan the hot guy from your chemistry class?" Thalia asks.

"Yeah, that's him." Once again, I list his assets. "We're only meeting to study for my exam, though."

"That's what they all say," Hailey blurts and giggles.

I punch her arm playfully. "You are such a bitch. I swear I’m only meeting him so we can study, otherwise we wouldn't meet in the library, would we?"

"How about another wager?" Thalia chimes in.

"What do you want to bet on now?" Hailey and I ask, echoing each other.

"Don't kill me now, Cami," Thalia stalls. "Promise."

"I'm not going to kill you if it's not about my virginity," I concede patiently.

"Alright, then forget about it."

My eyebrow shoots up. "You wanted to bet on me losing my virginity by the end of the term?" I guess.

She shrugs. "Yeah. It has to stay a little exciting, doesn't it?"

"I don't believe it. You can count yourself lucky that I've heard that one before, or else I'd be mad with you now," I grin.

Thalia shows me her most charming smile. It is the kind of smile that makes her eyes sparkle and that gets her every guy she wants. "I know."

I lean my head on her shoulder. "I'm pretty sure I'm going to win this bet. If he hasn't shown up by eight, I get your money, because that is the time he said he was going to pick me up," I announce. Then I get up. "I've got to be at my next class. See you tonight, my darlings." I sling my backpack over my shoulder, throw them a kiss each, and start walking.

I really hope Delsin is not going to show up, for I cannot afford to lose money now. Part of my budget went into that dinner I cooked for Ave and Delsin. Sure, I can eat in the cafeteria, but I also want to go out from time to time. And that can get expensive.

***

My last class for the day is over. I am tired as I start my way home. I walk slowly, enjoying the sunshine. I'm looking forward to a hot shower and my comfy sweater. Then I will eat something, read a little bit and go to bed early. That is my usual routine when I have classes the next day, but I'm okay with it. After all, I have come here to learn things, not to get drunk, get laid and waste my time. Dear god, is it possible to sound a tiny little bit more grown-up and less stupid? I finally want to have sex, and I thought I wanted to have it with Delsin, but he ditched me, even though he was the one who kept taking the initiative and kissing me. I ought to go out and look for a handsome guy who likes me and whom I can like, so I can finally experience my first time. Really. I would love to have a boyfriend, a guy I could trust. Not a friend like Avery, but one I can become intimate with. I somehow long for that.

By now I feel torn between what my head and my heart have to say. My head says I ought to be careful and not let Delsin Rough get too close to me. My heart, however, tells me to give him a chance, because he might be the right guy after all.

"Hi, Camille. Long time no see," Ethan says. He is suddenly walking next to me.

"Hi, Ethan. Did you have classes until now, too?"

"Yeah. A math class that was particularly tiresome," he explains. "Are you on your way home?"

I nod. "I am."

"How about going out for dinner?"

"No. I already have a date with my shower and my bed. I'm really exhausted today," I answer.

"Too bad, but maybe tomorrow. Do you want me to drive you home?"

"Tomorrow will be fine, yes. And no again on the driving. I feel like walking. Thank you, Ethan."

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then." He pats me on the shoulder and turns into the parking lot, while I walk on down the street.

Half an hour later I finally get home. I really took my time today. I put my stuff into my room, take my comfy jogging clothes from my closet and trot into the bathroom. I step into the shower and wash myself. When my soapy fingers touch my belly, I cannot help but remember Delsin's touch. A cold shiver of lust runs down my back in spite of the warm water. Before I can give in to the impulse to let my hand move further downwards, I pull it back from my belly and start scrubbing my arms with the sponge I am holding in my other hand. Finally, I wash my hair and then step from the shower.

Ten minutes later I am wearing my comfy clothes and a towel wrapped around my head. I leave the bathroom and call out: "Thally? Hailey? Anyone in?"

"Yeah," Thalia calls back. "We're sitting in Hailey's room talking."

I change my course and walk into Hailey's room. "What time is it now?"

Hailey looks at her watch. "Six. Only two more hours till we'll know the outcome of our wager."

I grin. "I'm still hoping he won't come."

They giggle. "So how about raising the stakes then?" Thalia asks.

"Sure. How much?" I say boldly.

"Fifty bucks each."

My heart skips a beat. Fifty dollars is all I have left until Friday. That's when I get my monthly allowance, sent to my bank account. There's no way I can ask my parents for more money before Friday. My dad chips in only grudgingly anyway, because he also shares the tuition cost with my mom. "I've only got fifty bucks till Friday, so ... I'm afraid we have to stick with the original ten bucks," I finally admit.

"Or you can pay up after Friday," Hailey suggests with a wink.

"How come you are both so sure you're going to win this bet?"

"Because I witness Delsin Rough and his way with women every single day. He's in most of my classes," Thalia grins.

"Just great. I'll be in my room." I turn away and trudge through the hallway.

"So fifty bucks each it'll be?" Hailey calls after me.

"Yeah," I answer without thinking. I want to kick myself for that only a moment later.

In my room I look out of the window and decide to keep an eye on the parking lot. If Delsin shows up, I'll simply call him on the phone and ask him to come back later. That may not be playing by the rules, but I need this money.

After I have fetched my tablet, which I use as an e-book reader, I sit down on the padded windowsill and start to read. I will hear any car that drives by, for the window is wide open.

From time to time, I check the clock on the wall. Time flies.

***

I open my eyes. I must have fallen asleep, and a knock on my door has woken me again. "Yes?" I ask in a sleepy voice.

Thalia comes in. "Oh. Did you fall asleep?"

"Yeah," I whine.

"Oh," she says again and sits down next to me. "Sorry to wake you."

"That's okay. The windowsill is really not the right place for a nap. I think I'm going to lie down," I say and get up to stretch.

At that moment, the doorbell rings. "That has got to be Delsin, trying to pick you up for dinner," Thalia grins.

My eyes settle on the clock again. "And that means I won, because it's past eight." Now it's my time to grin.

"Shit."

We both laugh as we leave my room and race each other to the front door. When I open it, it's really Delsin.

"Hi. If you don't feel like going out to dinner with me, I thought I'd simply bring dinner to you."

I smile. "Come in. You just made me a hundred dollars richer."

He looks at me with a dumbfounded expression but doesn't ask what I'm talking about. Instead he comes in.

Girls, I believe you owe me some money."

"Oh crap," Thalia swears and takes out a fifty from her purse, which she then hands to me with knitted eyebrows.