Page 17 (1/2)

I looked up fro, because Landon still hadn’t sent my econ project back (funny how I continued to think of hiht up on homework My roommate had never understood my compulsion to read when I had free time, especially if there were campus social events to attend "No, Erin, I really don’t want to go to a sorority thing, believe it or not Not to mention the fact that no one would be thrilled to see me there"

Hands on hips, she frowned down atwith ht? Bitches got nothing to say aboutyou then--frat rules apply--additional booze and broads welco sentihed while she pulled on platforht? What a bunch of pricks" Her sh, I could use a buffer between ht Not that he’ll, you know, botherfor me to be out of the way They’ll be on hi, and I really don’t wanna see it"

I nodded "I understand--and e on that visual though it’s revoltingly appropriate Can’t you just skip the brotherhood thing? You could have the Asian Flu Or Malaria I’ll vouch"

Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she grabbed her purse and walked to the door like a runway e deal Besides, I’ve gotta face it sometime Plus, I already RSVP’d for us both And I have a couple of weeks to oing power shopping after break, though I’ht, dammit"

As the door shut behind her, my phone trilled a text alert

Lucas: Do you still want to see the charcoal?

Me: Yes

Lucas: Tonight?

Me: Ok

Lucas: I’ll be outside your place in 10? Pull your hair back and wear so it over?

Lucas: I was bringing you to it Unless you don’t want to

Me: I’ll come down, but I need 15 minutes

Lucas: I’ll wait No rush

I tore around the roo offa clean bra and panties from the clean-but-not-put-away laundry pile Warm clothes… Sweats? No Jeans Black UGGs The soft sapphire sweater thath I wasn’t sure why

Grabbing my black wool peacoat on the way out the door, I left the building by the ht me there, even when itagainst awith his now-familiar boots and jeans, he wore a dark brown leather jacket that ht eyes, his gaze didn’t waver froht noises of residents co He didn’t hide the unhurried top-to-botto for hi the lump inatteh , heavy and hot My trepidation about his ree I’d never been on one before, and couldn’t say I’d ever intended to change that fact When I walked up to hiuess this is the reason for the hair guidelines," I said, taking the hel it hesitantly

"You can take it back doe get to ure you’d want to stuff it under the helled on the ride"

I shookif I needed to undo the straps completely or just loosen them

"Never been on a bike before?"

From the corner of roup of boys Both girls stopped and stared at Lucas, and then me, while I pretended not to notice them "Um No…"

"Let ’s strap over my head and settled it crosswise over my chest, he took the hel the straps under urine

Once ere both helmeted and on the bike, I reached my ar at how fir the kickstand back His suggestion was unnecessary as the engine roared to life--I had a death grip on his torso, ainst his back, ine I was on a roller coaster--perfectly safe and attached to a track instead of hurtling through the streets on a fli soht and flatten us

The ride to his place--an aparte--took less than ten rasp each had on the other and the chilled Noveether, he parked the bike on a paved section between the garage and the open steps before turning and takingwarloves"

I pulled my hand from his and pointed to the house not more than fifty feet away "Do your parents live there?"

"No" He turned to walk up the wooden stairway and I followed "I rent the aparte studio with a wall, but no door, defining what I assuht corner A small open kitchen was on the left; a bathrooardeddown and stalking to the door

"This is Francis" Lucas opened the door and the to to clean a paw