Chapter 3

“This year’s Art Show is going to be held and organised by you. I believe you have the passion and drive to make this the best Art Show the entire university ever had,” our Professor went on saying but I was half paying attention to what he was saying.

My mind was preoccupied with the events of the last few days from Friday and the rest of the weekend. The more I thought about it, the more wary I became. If he could so easy find me at my apartment, then what chance did I have of him not finding out exactly where I was or what department I was from? Panic raised through me as my hands got clammy and the pencil I was holding fell to the floor.

“Are you okay?” Olivia whispered as she leaned closer to me.

I turned my gaze to her momentarily and then looked back at the professor who was still explaining what he expected to see from us at the Art Show.

“Yeah, just thinking about the Art Show,” I replied with a smile and Olivia smiled back at me.

“I’m super excited about it but I know my art is definitely not going to make the cut,” Olivia sighed but then beamed as she looked at my sketches. “I wish I was as talented as you, your designs are just so effortless and magnificent and then there are mine.”

I smiled at her, “your designs aren’t as bad as you think. Give yourself credit for making it through Professor Higgins’ class last year.” I wasn’t lying, even though Olivia doubted her own skills, she was really talented in her own way with her own style. “Besides, everyone has their own style of designing, mine just happens to be this.” Pointed to the sketch of a half drawn girl’s face that I just couldn’t finish just yet but her eyes haunted me every day in my dreams.

“See, this is what I’m talking about, it’s not even complete but yet from the details I can already tell that she’s beautiful,” Olivia said with a sigh. “But you’re right, we all have our own styles.”

Olivia kept talking to me throughout the lecture and I was thankful for the distraction. Talking to her was really great and I wondered why I hadn’t talked to her until now. She was intelligent, had a key sense for colour and was also beautiful with brown eyes and auburn hair that was pulled into a messy bun.

“I look forward to seeing what each and everyone of you showcases at the Art Show and I hope that you will not disappoint me,” the Professor said as the lecture ended. “Jake, I need to have a word with you in my office when you are free.”

Olivia rolled her eyes as she packed up her pencils and sketchpad in her bag. “Professor Burns likes you but don’t let it get to your head,” she whispered as we walked out of the auditorium turned art studio and she bumped her shoulder against mine playfully. “We actually like you and some of us are inspired by your work.”

“I promise not to grow big headed by your compliment,” I said with a wink which made Olivia laugh. “I shall continue to remain humble even as you worship the very ground I walk on.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t want to say anything,” she said with an eye roll, “and now it's too late to take back my words.” She stopped walking and turned to face me. “Some of the Art students usually have lunch at the park and I was wondering if you wanted to join us?” She pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “But it’s okay if you have plans already, just figured I should ask.”

“Sure-“ but I was cut off by someone saying something behind us and we both turned.

“He has plans with me,” the man said and all I wanted to do in that instant was yell at him to leave me the hell alone but I didn’t want to cause a scene. He was dressed in a black suit that hugged his body well as well accentuated every inch of his body and everything about him now screamed wealth. “Have you already forgotten I said I’d pick you up after your class?” He asked, arching a perfect eyebrow at me but not once did he acknowledge Olivia's presence who looked shocked and a little flustered.

“Oh, that’s okay then,” Olivia sounded disappointed as she pushed a loose curl behind her ear in a flirtatious manner, “I guess another time, see you around Jake.” She waved, leaving me alone yet again with this man who I knew nothing about.

Once Olivia was out of earshot, I glared at him. “I don't plan on going anywhere with you, I thought I made myself clear already,” I whisper-yelled.

He took a step towards me, “and I thought I already made myself clear that I want you and I’ll have you,” he’s voice was menacing and cold as he continued to walk towards me until we were just inches apart. “What would you like to have for lunch?”

Was he actually serious? Did he really think I was going anywhere with him? Every time I looked at him I remembered the disgusted look he had when we both woke up next to each other and now he was saying the complete opposite of how he felt. What was up with that?

Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair. I really didn’t have enough energy for this. Whatever this was. “Look, I don't know who you think I am or what you want from me but I’m not gay and even if I was, you aren’t my type.”

“Is is because of that girl?”

“What? God no, Olivia is just a friend but that doesn’t change what I said.”

“Then how about you humour me and have lunch with me?”

“If I say yes, will you leave me alone for good?”

He just shrugged as he turned towards the car park. Did I even have a choice anymore? It seemed my fate was already sealed by this man and all I could do was just follow along for the ride.

When we got to the car park, he walked over to a black jeep that was parked in the centre and another man got out and opened the door for him with a nod. Who was this man and what did he want from me?

The man turned to look at me instead of entering. “Lunch and I’ll tell you who I am and what exactly what I want from you,” he said as he waited for me to enter first.

Sighing, I hoisted my bag on my shoulder, shook my head at myself in utter disappointment and then entered. For what it was worth, I hoped something bad didn’t end up happening to me because the only person that knew who I was with was Olivia and I didn’t have her number.

The man entered after me and the driver closed the door behind him and entered the driver’s side. “Where to sir?” He asked, not once looking behind.

“The usual,” the man sitting next to me answered as he pulled out his phone and started typing away, forgetting I was sat next to him.

I had so many questions about who he was and why he was after me. I wasn’t at all interested in having a relationship with anyone, much less a man I just met a few days ago who by the way had misled me to think he went to the same campus I did when we met at the party which I now regret attending and not some rich guy. The car started moving and I stared out the window, not knowing what to do.

The drive was quiet, he didn’t say another word to me and I didn’t say anything to him either. But the further we drove away from campus and my apartment, the more nervous I got about what I was actually doing. If any of the guys found out I had agreed to go out with a complete stranger, I wouldn’t hear the end of it.

The car pulled to a stop at Vue de monde, the most expensive restaurant in Melbourne and I gaped. This restaurant was known for it’s incredible taste and magnificent service and this man was taking me to it? Was he out of his mind? Better yet, was I out of my mind?

“Do you even know how much this place costs?” I asked to which the man took his attention away from his phone and stared at me blankly. “No, really because I highly doubt you’re a local here otherwise you would know.”

Instead of answering me, the man got out of the car when his driver opened the door and then he stretched out his hand for me, an indication that he was not going to answer me and instead wanted me to hold his hand. Yeah right, I can get out of a car on my own.

Ignoring his out-stretched hand, I got out of the car alone and he shook his head. “Leave the bag,” he said as he began walking towards the entrance where one of the staff welcomed him with a beaming smile.

“Welcome Mr. Morgan, we have your table reserved as per your request,” a guy with light brown hair swept back who was standing by the entrance greeted us and thenushered us in. Every table we passed, heads of the women turned and gawked at him shamelessly as though they weren’t here with someone. I shook my head in sympathy for the men who sat there watching their ladies gawk at another man with no shame.

Morgan? So that was his surname. At least now I knew another thing about him which honestly wasn’t much for me to use.

The guy led us to the table in the centre which was already led out with plates and everything. The whole place looked expensive and something I would never go to alone, whether I could afford it or not. Fine dining wasn’t something I fancied and the only time I did was back home when my parents would come back from one of their business trips and insist that I join him in their business meetings along with Kai. Just the thought of the past made my skin crawl, I hated thinking about it more than I hated talking about Alexis with anyone other than James.

“I’ll have someone come and take your order shorty,” the guy said as we took our seats. “I hope the table is to your liking.”

“It is, thank you,” Mr. Morgan replied flatly easily dismissing the guy and turned to face me.

“Seems like I was wrong,” I muttered under my breath when we were alone and then I turned my attention on him. “Just who are you exactly?”

The man smirked and it was one of the sexiest things I had ever since in my life. What did I just say? That can’t possibly be me? He leaned forward with his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers.

“I’m Liam Morgan,” he replied, still having that annoying smirk on his face. “It’s strange how little you know about me when I know everything about. From how you’ve never dated anyone to who your parents are and what your interests are.”

I stared at him through narrowed eyes but just as I was about to ask him what the hell he meant by that, our waiter arrived to take our orders. She was a girl about my age with dark long hair that went below her shoulders and she had the brown eyes and a flirtatious smile on her face when she saw Liam.

“Good afternoon sir, would you still like to maintain the same dish or will you be changing it?”

“The same,” he replied dismissively. “And he will have the Lobster Tail Soup,” he said looking straight at me.

The girl finally noticed me and scowled but didn’t say anything as he turned and left, leaving us alone yet again.

“What did you mean by that? Who exactly are you and why is it that every girl you meet thinks you’re some kind of god?”

Liam smirked, “but I only have my eyes for you and no one else,” he responded, not actually answering my questions. “Just think of me as someone who will make your wildest fantasies come to life.”

I felt something rub circles against my inner thigh and my entire body froze.

“And as for what I want from you, I want to take you back to my suite, strip all your clothes off and have you on your knees and hands begging me for me as I slam into you with my hand in your hair pulling your face so that you’re watching me devour every inch of you, marking you and claiming you as my mine. I want to see you as you scream my name from those perfect lips of yours and beg me to kiss you.”

My throat was dry and my hands clammy. His words were making me uncomfortable and I didn’t want to be here any longer than necessary. I didn’t even want to be left alone with him anymore. I pushed my chair back, ready to leave when a slew of waiters carrying trays chose than exact moment to walk over to our table.

I was trapped in a place I didn’t want to be with a man who wanted nothing more than my body and that thought alone made a shiver run through me. I now understood why parents warned their children never to go out with a stranger. I was now ripping the consequences of my actions and there was no one to blame but myself.

Liam’s face changed from playful to serious as the waiters placed the plates of food on the table and then left. “Don't worry, I won’t do anything you don’t already want me to do,” he said, that cheerfulness returning to his face as he took me in, the hunger and lust clear in his eyes.