Hanging by a Moment (From this Moment Book 1) (3 page)

Big muscular Brad moves swiftly to answer the request from the love of his life. I turn to look in his direction as he approaches us. He grabs the bottle of hot sauce from his table and heads toward us, all the time smiling sexily at Jane.

He joins Jane at our table, occupying the seat next to her. I have a clear view of Mr-so-fucking-gorgeous and I take my first real look at what has got my girls all hot and bothered. I have a clear view of him now that he is not hidden behind Brad.

Somewhere in the back of my head I hear the familiar sounds of Berlin's Take My Breath Away.

Holy mother of God!

Oh shit!

Holy fucking shit!

Thank God I am not eating! I would have surely choked to death.

He is not just gorgeous but panty-fucking-drop-dead-gorgeous. I feel my own panties drop. And my vagina is screaming for an introduction.

Inky black hair very ruffled – like he just got out of bed after a good fuck - and long enough to be sitting on the neckline of the black T-shirt he’s wearing. A face so perfectly sculptured it would put the world’s best sculptor to shame. My eyes are all over him – they have no shame as they blatantly stare at his beautiful face. A slim straight nose sitting above full luscious very kissable lips set in a strong jaw.

My heart all but jumps out of my chest declaring her love at the new guy sitting opposite me at the far end of the room. And just as I stare with my jaws hanging down to my knees, saliva dripping down the corner of my mouth, getting my fill of his beautiful striking face, he picks up his head and looks in my direction, his eyes locking with mine.

Fuck! Double fuck! Triple fuck!

His intense looking eyes – I’m unable to make out the colour from this distance – pierce into me. I can’t stop myself... I can’t tear my eyes away even though he has caught me staring at him.

His lovely full lips twitch ever so slightly in a smile as he catches me ogling him.

I know I should look away but all of my organs seem to have stopped functioning with the exception of my eyes that are glued by some kind of superglue on him.

Get a grip,
Emma. Breathe damn it!
I don’t remember how to breathe.
Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth.

I struggle with my emotions - my heart is scrambling madly around my chest and my pulse is fast enough to race and beat any Formula One car. Struggling with everything I’ve got, I tear my greedy eyes away from the delicious looking God in front of me.

I swallow as I turn to look wide eyed at my friends. Jane and Brit both nod at me as if to say ‘I told you so.’

“That is some serious load of fuckable male. Huh?” Brit says clearly breathless.

“Thank God I’m with Brad or else I would be losing panties every time I saw him.” Jane smirks before dropping a soft kiss on Brad’s cheek which delights him. He seems to find our ogling of the new guy rather hilarious as he chuckles at our response to the hottie at the opposite end of the cafeteria.

“Me too! Thank God for Travis.” Brit giggles. Brit and Travis have been together for just over a year. Travis was roommates with Ethan and it was just a matter of time before he and Brit got together. Even though it took forever to happen, it finally did. Thank heavens! They proved to be two of the most stubborn people, who finally woke up and realised how perfect they were for each other.

Brad stands up to make his way back to the boys, clearly amused by our banter. “I’ll be sure to let Trav know. And I’ll be happy to pass on your thoughts to Luke.” He winks at us. Throwing our napkins at him, he grins as he walks back to his table. “Later chicks,” he calls out to us as he casually strolls away, hands in his jeans pockets.

The girls both turn to look at me waiting for my response. I can hear the cogs in their brains turning.

“What? I don’t wear panties!” I sneer across at them, simulating unawareness while trying desperately to keep my voice calm.

“Then what is that wrapped around your ankles?” Jane laughs.

“Oh. He is looking.” Brit murmurs, her hand cupping my chin and turning my face towards Mr Beautiful. Again.

Our eyes lock for the second time and once again my body is acting all weird and crazy as we face each other. This time I catch him looking at me. No, he is staring at me and not the least bit embarrassed at being caught in the act. Those eyes are pinned on me, making me feel like a mouse in front of a cat... ready to be devoured.

Oh Lord, a little mercy please. I feel my cheeks heat instantly. My heart is about to pounce right out of my chest, ready to go over to Luke and introduce herself.

And once again I struggle to get the strength I so desperately need to turn my attention back to my girls. Summoning every bit of strength I possess, I break eye contact with Luke, releasing my breath that I wasn’t even aware I was holding in.

Suddenly the room feels as if all the air is being sucked out and I cannot breathe. I need to get out of here or I will pass out. Licking my suddenly very dry lips, I glance at my friends. “Got to get to class girls,” I say as I stand up sneaking a small glance from under my lashes at his royal hotness across the room. Oh, he is looking all right. And looking right at me, studying me, looking somewhat amused as Brad tells him something in his ear.

I feel my cheeks burning as I turn and walk away. Every step I take, I am aware of intense eyes burning holes in my back as I step out of the cafeteria into the much needed cool air.

Chapter Two

Brit and I enter our Business Leadership class and take our usual seats at the back when some whispering from a group of girls coming through the double wooden doors gets my attention. Seconds before Mr Royal Hotness comes into view. He walks in with Travis, who occupies the seat opposite Brit, leaving him to take the seat directly opposite me.

Oh no!
I can barely breathe. Not only do we have the same class but I have to endure an entire hour of knowing he is sitting closer to me than before. I refuse to look at him and keep my eyes glued to the book in front of me. My heart beat accelerates and I shift around nervously trying to concentrate on my book, doing my best to ignore him. Does not help. He is so close that I feel my skin tingle. And my skin never tingles.

Breathe, Emma. Breathe.
My subconscious fans herself with a girly magazine.

Travis breaks the unusual silence. “Ladies, I like you to meet Luke. The latest addition to Midland Falls University and of course the soccer team.”

I know it will be rude of me to not acknowledge his presence so I glance up. Big mistake. I blush. Shit! This guy is going to be the death of me. My earlier resolution to concentrate on school and keep guys at a distance flies out the window.

My breath catches and I see a smile playing on one corner of Luke’s mouth. Almost like he knows the effect he is having on me and is enjoying watching me wet my panties right in front of him.

Play cool, Emma... you got this.
My mental pep talk is no use.

Talk about being gorgeous. I’m sure if I look up the meaning of gorgeous I will find his picture as an example. Luke is even more stunning up close... way too stunning. This guy is the epitome of male beauty. He is a damn God and my mouth has popped open.

For the first time I see his eyes. And oh my, what beautiful eyes he has. The colour is this amazing shade of blue... similar to the sky... it’s like looking into heaven. And those beautiful blue eyes are studying me with such intensity, making my skin shiver. My subconscious falls off her chair with her magazine clutched to her chest.

For a split second I see a flash of something wild behind those eyes. And right now those heavenly blue eyes are scrutinising me. Deep in concentration as they burn into me as if they are looking into the very depth of my soul. My hand instinctively goes to tuck a lock of imaginary hair behind my ear and my skin tingles, goose bumps on the back of my neck.

I know right away that this guy is going to be trouble. BIG MASSIVE TROUBLE. And I can do shit about it.

Travis introduces him first to Brit, stressing the point that she is his girlfriend and clearly off limits. This earns him a jab in his arm from Brit. Then Trav turns his smiling blue eyes to me. “And this beautiful lady here is, Emma, our resident man hater.” He winks his one naughty blue eye at me.

I earned that title after refusing to seriously hook up with any other guy since Ethan’s departure. No matter how much my friends tried, I was not interested. A date every now and then was fine but I would bail as soon as the guy became serious. So Travis and Brad insisted that I hated men... their only explanation why a beautiful single girl would refuse to date the good looking guys they tossed at me.

“Be careful she bites.” Travis adds before making a clicking sound with his super white teeth.

I narrow my eyes at Travis hoping I can shoot fireballs from my eyes. Since when is it a crime to not want to be in a serious relationship? I glance back at Luke.

Luke looks at me with a smirk on his illegal-to-be-so-handsome face before opening his beautiful mouth to speak. I notice he even has perfect teeth. “Are you a lesbian?” He cocks his dark eyebrow.

His raspy voice has my heart jiggling about in my chest, trying to break free. But his words absolutely freak me out. A sly smile plays on his delicious lips as he waits for my answer.

What?!
I cringe. I’m absolutely mortified. The blood drains from my face at the exact same moment that my temper flares. I am not sure what makes me madder – being asked if I’m a lesbian or being asked by an ultra gorgeous guy if I’m a lesbian.

“What?” I scream into his stunning face. Ugh! The damn nerve of him!

Luke chuckles at my response, infuriating me further. He has the nerve to laugh at me. “Are you a lesbian?” He repeats his question as if I didn’t hear him clearly enough the first time. I shoot him down with a deadly glare and my fists clench around my pen, my knuckles white.

Travis bursts into laughter, his one big palm slapping loudly against the wooden table. “No! Hell man... she’s into guys. Just not now. Bad break up... you know.” He gives Luke a rundown of my love life as if I’m not even there.

What am I? Invisible?

Hello!

I swear I see a kind of relieved expression in the sky blue eyes opposite me before he mutters something to himself.

Brit sighs loudly. “Shut up, Trav.” She jumps to my rescue, shoving her slim well manicured finger in front of her boyfriend’s face.

I glare at Travis. “Yeah, shut up, Trav.” I tell him before staring into bright pools of blue, my anger reaching boiling point. “No! I’m not a lesbian.” I grunt at him through clenched teeth. This is so embarrassing. I want to crawl into a hole and hide for the rest of my life.

Luke responds with a million dollar smile. My heart fluctuates and if I was in that hole, I would so want to climb out of it. And just like that, with his one sexy smooth panty-dropping-smile all of my anger dissolves immediately. I want to remain mad at him but for some weird reason I can’t. That big neon sign saying ‘BIG MASSIVE TROUBLE’ is blinking rapidly in my mind. Shit!

And before I can say anything else Mr Jones walks in and starts his lecture.

I see amusement in Luke’s eyes every time I look up at him, which is hard not to do as he is seated right opposite me. Just knowing I am breathing in the same air that he exhales has my heart jumping out of my chest only to collapse in a squidgy mess on the wooden table in between us.

I pray for divine intervention to help me through the next hour.

I am relieved when the lecture is over and I grab my books, shoving them into my bag and walk fast to get out of there. Like a bat out of hell. I need some fresh air to breathe. And I need to get my head together before I head off to my next lecture. Thankfully it is my last class for today. I need to get away to my little sanctuary... my little piece of heaven. It is the only place I can get some peace and quiet. The last few hours have left me in a tangled confused mess.

****

Unlocking the dark wooden door, I step through, shutting the door closed behind me. Like shutting out the rest of the world. I close my eyes for a second and breathe a sigh of relief, happy to be here, away from all the craziness of this morning. And what a crazy morning it was.

And now I’m finally away from it all.

Nan showed me this place when I first arrived. She later told me she had a sixth sense that I needed a place to be totally alone with myself. And this cosy little one room cottage, part of the campus property is far from the dorms but close enough to be seen, is the perfect idyllic place. It is quiet and beautiful, with its white washed walls surrounded by the tall lush green oak trees providing a kind of protective cover around the property. It was built by one of the sponsors to the college as a getaway from the noisy dorms. Now serving as my getaway.

Inside is sparsely furnished with just the bare necessities – white washed walls with large windows draped in sapphire blue curtains, sitting inches above the white tiled floor. A large gray comfortable double couch is placed in front of an oak stand that holds a decent sized television and DVD player, which I bought. The cosy kitchenette comprises  a small white bar fridge, a simple steel microwave sitting on top of one oak cabinet that houses a few pieces of cutlery and dishes. The second oak cabinet sits below the sink and next to this is a built-in two plate digital electric stove. Placed to the side of the stove is a round oak table with two matching chairs in front of the window, overlooking the vast perfectly manicured campus lawns.

Nan’s only request before handing me the keys to this little piece of paradise, was a promise to make sure the various array of green plants in terracotta pots sitting on the window ledges in front of the oak table are always watered.

After pretty much spending most of my time here to study or to just be by myself, this place has become like my own home or what would have felt if I had a home to go to.

Now, sitting here by myself, I feel better already. I make my way to the oak kitchen cabinet, taking out a cream coloured plastic jug. Filling it with water from the tap at the sink, I rehydrate the plants before sitting down with my books.

A few hours later, I look up at the blue sky tinged with shades of red and orange, sign that the sun is starting to set. It means it is time to head back to the college building for dinner. Damn, if only I remembered to grab some food before I left the main building, I wouldn’t have to go back. Too late, my tummy loudly reminds me it needs some food... soon. And starving it twice today isn’t an option.

****

Dinner time at the cafeteria is always loud and unruly. Mainly due to the soccer team with whom we always share a table with. Collecting my meal, I glance at our usual table against one end of the cafeteria wall, where I spot Brit already there with Travis on one side and an empty chair next to her reserved for me. Like always. And as usual Travis is trying to steal Brit’s food.

Sliding into my seat, I catch a glimpse of Luke, seated a few chairs away from me on the opposite end. Almost as if he can sense me looking at him, his blue eyes shift and is fixed on me. I feel my pulse quicken.

Get a grip.
I mentally tell myself. And I quickly divert my gray eyes to the food in front of me, just  as Jane, who is always seated directly in front of Brit catches me up to speed with the latest gossip. She is positively glowing - like she stepped out of a spa - and looks just as excited as she was earlier.

Fixing her green gaze on me, she keeps her voice low. “So, as I was telling Brit, I found out from Brad, he’s single and from Manhattan. Transferred from New York University.” She tilts her head in Luke’s direction so I know who she is referring to. “The college offered him a scholarship here due to his amazing soccer talent.” She whispers to me as if this is something I actually want to know. Yes, my subconscious screams, I do want to know... I want to know everything about him.

My heart is getting up to speed as I feel blue eyes watching me from afar, causing my skin to tingle. My subconscious is soaking up every word Jane is saying as much as my common sense wishes for her to shut up.

After this morning’s episode in my Business Leadership class, I should not care to want to know anything about Luke. He is a jerk. But my body thinks otherwise, judging by my reaction to his close proximity.

“Amongst other talents, I assume,” Brit nods at me like this is something I should be really excited about.

Does Luke excite me?
I wonder to myself. He has definitely got my interest but I don’t want to get into another relationship. I am happy being single and carefree.
For now,
I remind myself.

But I know how the minds of my two best friends work. They are going to try and hook me up with Luke, whether I want them to or not. Not that I don’t find him attractive. Like seriously, I would have to be blind to not notice his illegally good looks. Hell! I would notice him even if I was blind.

But I’m not looking at getting into a relationship this year. I just want to concentrate on finishing my degree and plan on what I am going to do next year. I plan on returning to Manhattan. I cannot hide out here forever. Getting into a serious relationship will just complicate things. And I don’t need any more complications in my life. Not now. Right now I’m enjoying this feeling of being independent and in control. I don’t remember when last I felt this way... so alive and in charge.

“Uh huh.” I say in my best I’m-so-fucking-bored voice as I lift another spoonful of the zesty chicken and black bean rice dish into my mouth.

But I can’t seem to help myself. Something keeps drawing me to him. As much as my brain is trying to dismiss Luke, my body is trying to locate him. Looking up, I find my traitor eyes automatically glance in Luke’s direction and find his blue gaze fixed on me once again.

My pulse quickens. There is just something about him. And it has nothing to do with his amazing good looks. It is something else. He is like honey and I’m the bee. He is like a magnet and I’m a coin... drawn to him.

And I have this weird excited sensation that maybe he is feels the same way. He is staring at me like he was this morning.

If only he would just stop looking at me. But do I actually want him to stop looking? I’m so confused. Pulling my eyes away, I decide to concentrate on finishing up the rest of my hearty meal without choking. And I refuse to look up at him again. Traitor eyes need to concentrate on the food in front of me. And I mentally tell myself that I need to stay away from him. That is easier said than done, I hear my subconscious mock me.

“Okay, fine.” Brit waves her slim hand in front of my face in an I-don’t-care gesture. “But don’t be calling us when you’re old and alone and all your cats are married and settled down,” she grunts at me.