Chapter 5: Cassidy

##Chapter 5: Cassidy

Book One: Stay

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," I mutter, feeling off kilter.

One of his dark brows lifts at my disgruntled greeting. "Let me guess," he says, "now you think I'm stalking you."

My eyes widen before narrowing in consideration.

Hmmm. I suppose that's a possibility.

"Are you?"

He snorts before shaking his head. He shifts his weight, looking as if he might be settling in for a long conversation. "I don't even know your name, remember? You wouldn't give it to me last night."

"It's a good thing I didn't, because apparently, there's an excellent chance you might be stalking me," I quip while trying to think of a hasty exit strategy.

He runs his tongue across the front of his teeth.

I feel the effect of it straight down to my traitorous core.

Somehow, this guy has triggered more responses within me in the past twelve hours than any other guy has in the previous nine months.

"I'm not saying this to sound like a conceited jack-"

"But that's exactly what you'll sound like if you continue with that train of thought," I finish sweetly, hoping to cut him off so I can bale on this conversation.

"-ass, but most girls would be delighted to have my attention."

My gaze slides reluctantly over him again.

All right, I'll secretly admit that statement is probably accurate. With all that messy dark hair, golden-brown eyes, and handsomely chiseled face...

And let's not forgot about his muscular body. I'm willing to bet there's a six-pack hidden under that grey Henley.

My mouth dries at the thought.

What the hell am I doing?

I give myself a quick mental slap before rolling my eyes. "You're right, that totally makes you sound like a conceited jackass."

His eyes narrow.

I can almost feel the heat of them moving over me, singeing me in the process. Even though the morning air has a slight chill to it, I'm starting to feel hot all over.

"What did you say your name was again?"

A smile spreads slyly across my face. "I didn't, and because I don't want to encourage someone who I might have to take out a restraining order against, I'm not giving it to you either." Rather pointedly, I glance down at the phone in my hand. "Not that this conversation isn't scintillating, but I need to get going or I'll be late for my nine o'clock."

"Seeing as we're both heading the same way, I'll join you," he says smugly.

I groan.

Loudly.

Being coy has never been one of my fortes.

"No, that's okay. I'm in a hurry." I give him a bit of side-eye to see if he's gotten the hint that I'm not interested in him or his company.

If the grin gracing his lips is any indication, he hasn't. Or he just doesn't care. I'm going with the whole doesn't care theory.

Have I mentioned how aggravating I find this guy?

My feet grind to a halt as I glare at him.

He's tanking my morning mojo. Maybe if I make him uncomfortable enough, it'll penetrate his thick skull that I'm not interested.

He stops before eyeing me quizzically. After a few silent moments slide by he asks, "Are we going to stand around all day or head to class? 'Cuz I'm up for either."

Grrrr.

"Fine," I huff, figuring I'll only have to walk with him for a block or so before we go our separate ways. If I'm lucky, I'll never lay eyes on him again.

Thank god I don't know his name. It'll hopefully make forgetting him that much easier. I won't be able to put a name to that gorgeous face.

I internally wince at my own unfiltered thoughts.

Because I still think he's beautiful.

Ridiculously so.

And that's really saying something with the harsh morning sunlight pouring down on us. Anyone can look like a ten in dim party lighting. Somehow this guy manages to pull off being an eleven in bright sunlight at nine in the morning. And it wouldn't surprise me to learn that he just rolled out of bed looking like that either. The way the sun highlights all the different shades of mahogany color in his hair has something hot arrowing straight down to my core.

For the love of god and all that's holy, I still want to drag my traitorous fingers through his hair. I want to muss it up even more than it already is. He has one of those artfully messy hairstyles that not many guys can pull off so effortlessly. I, on the other hand, feel as if I've barely scraped myself together with a high ponytail and a scarf...

I seriously need to get away from this guy before I do something completely crazy and actually start to like him.

His deep voice breaks into the chaotic whirl of my thoughts. "So, where you headed?"

I sigh, reluctant to give him any more info than he's already been able to gather. I don't want whatever this is between us to become a habit.

"Psychology."

"Huh." A smile spreads across his face. "201?" He looks way too happy as he poses the question. It only shreds the last of my frayed nerves.

My guarded gaze swings to his as we continue walking. "That's right."

His grin broadens, and those damnable dimples flash and wink. "What a coincidence. Me, too."

Perfect.

But that doesn't necessarily mean we have to sit next to each other, does it?

I'll ditch him as soon as we enter the lecture hall. After all, it seats well over two hundred people, so there's plenty of room to put some much-needed distance between us. But now I'll have to see him three times a week for the remainder of the semester.

Talk about crummy luck.

"Hey, Cole," simpers a skinny blonde from out of nowhere.

Cole.

Crap.

I kind of like that name. And somehow, even though I don't know him, it fits perfectly. Now I have a name to go along with his striking face.

Double crap.

He offers a friendly smile along with a chin lift. From the corner of my eye, I can't help but watch their interaction. I want him to be flirty or maybe even stop and talk with her.

He doesn't.

"Hey, Jules, how's it going?"

A smile lights up her pretty face just before her eyes rove over him, eating the guy up alive. Jules isn't trying to hide the fact that she'd like nothing more than to take a big bite out of him. Even though I'm walking beside him and it's fairly obvious we're together-although not together, if you know what I mean-she doesn't spare me a glance.

Which is seriously fine with me...

But rude just the same.

"Are we gonna see you at the Alpha Sig party tonight?" Her voice lowers, becoming all sexy and sultry. At this point I want to roll my eyes. Doesn't this girl realize that it isn't even nine o'clock in the morning?

"Probably."

"Then I'll definitely look for you there." She bats her thick, mascara-laden lashes at him, and it takes everything I have inside not to bust out laughing.

I'm almost embarrassed for her.

She skewers him with an intense look. Kind of like she's attempting to use Jedi mind tricks or subliminal messaging, or something along those lines. I think she might be trying to convey that when she finds him tonight, there'll be an extra special treat in it for him.

Of a sexual nature...wink-wink.

It's entirely possible the protein bar I wolfed down might make an unexpected reappearance if I don't get out of here pronto. I'm unsure how much of Jules I can take this early in the morning without becoming violently ill.

Maybe I'd be more tolerant if I'd had my morning cup of coffee...but then again, probably not. Rather than watch the pair of them make googly eyes at one another-all right, so maybe the googly eyes are fairly one-sided-I hasten my step, thinking this might be the perfect opportunity to execute an escape plan. I don't like the way Cole makes the nerves in my belly tremble.

It's disconcerting.

"Okay, well, I'll catch you later." I speed up as we reach Dorin Hall, the social sciences building. Actually, I have absolutely no intention of catching him later.

Just when I think I've shaken him loose, kind of like a sticky burr, he's once again at my side as I push my way through the wide set of doors.

I do a double take before frowning.

Son of a-