Don’t act upset. Shouldering her backpack, she speed walked in the direction of the couple. Almost past, the pain that grabbed her heart when she first saw the two of them squeezed a little tighter. Once she was in her room, she’d locate her Goddess books. For Cameron, she dropped everything from her interest in Art Club to observing her Wiccan faith. Her mother was right. Men take everything, but leave you with nothing. Her mother’s newest obsession was the church, which also demanded everything too.
“Stella, wait.” Cam’s rich voice called after her.
His voice as warm and smooth as melted caramel had really won her over initially. That and he didn’t give up easy since he asked her out six times before she’d agreed. A few of the girls accused her of playing hard to get, but she hadn’t. It baffled her that he wanted to go out with her. Rumors had him practically dating everyone in her dorm, but never more than once.
Realistically, he should have moved on after their first date. This was her wake-up call. Cam’s hand latched onto her arm pulling her to a stop. “What’s wrong with you? You act like you didn’t hear me.”
The impromptu sprint ruffled his hair making him look even sexier. His well-shaped brows arched over his grey eyes. Stella often wondered if he’d had his brows shaped, but never felt like she knew him well enough to ask, despite sleeping together. Figured he’d probably lie about it anyhow. He waited without speaking.
“Looked like you were busy. I didn’t want to interrupt.” Her shoulders went up in a shrug hoping it looked like she didn’t care too much.
His brows lowered as he grinned, displaying for a moment that wicked smile that devastated feminine hearts, especially hers. Stella’s ire began to melt away under the full wattage of his smile. “You think,” he shook his head as if what he was bout to say was ridiculous. “I was flirting with her.”
Stella sucked in her lips wondering if she’d been hasty in her assumptions. After all, she hadn’t heard what they said. Their bodies turned toward one another, blocking out the outside world indicated an intimate meeting. “The two of you had your heads close together. People might mistake it for flirting.”
Good, she didn’t say she thought it look flirting. No reason for him to think she was needy and insecure, even if she was.
His laugh garnered attention from passing students she could have done without. “Please Stella,” He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side before continuing, “How could you imagine such a thing when I only have eyes for you.”
The words soothed her some, but part of her pointed out that his eyes checked out the passing women too. The reassurance helped a little, but it didn’t restore the euphoria from their first date. Romcom movies oversold her on the wonders of love. The rush disappeared leaving behind irritation at the demands of a relationship. Right now, she should be taking notes for a very important exam. People assumed she was naturally smart, but she wasn’t. Studying, making flash cards and endless notes earned her the scholarship. Thank goodness, Mitch was copying notes for her, which was the behavior she’d expect from a boyfriend, but didn’t get.
No way she’d fall under the spell of his bedroom eyes. The man had some type of sexual magic he did with his eyes and lips that short-circuited her rational thought process. Suddenly, she forget why she was upset with him. Not happening, she directed her gaze over his shoulder to where she could see dozens of students strolling the commons. Some hurried, most carried books, and few walked slowly prolonging their time together. The stage of initial attraction, she remembered it well.
Before Cameron, she’d gone out in high school a little, but not much. Truthfully, she was afraid of getting too attached to someone. The best way to avoid the total devastation her parents created when they divorced was never fall in love. There were other reasons too, but that was the main one.