Page 41 of Academically Yours

“When you’re ready.” I hoped I reassured him with a warm smile, resisting the urge to wrap my arms around him and hug him right here in front of the zoo’s gift shop.

He nodded, and when he blinked, those bright blue eyes seemed a little clearer. Matthew squeezed my shoulder in a reassuring firm grip, and I was pretty sure my insides were going to melt when he said, “You’ve made today so special.”

Did I imagine it? Did I imagine the way his eyes darted down to my lips?

If I had been breathing deeper, if I had run my tongue across my bottom lip, dampening it—I wasn’t sure I would have noticed it. Wasn’t sure I would have noticed anything at that moment. Not one of my residents coming up to me, not a storm pouring down on us, not the world ending.

Because it was just Matthew and me, staring into each other’s eyes, and for a wonderful moment, that was all that mattered. His beautiful, icy blue eyes, like a glacier pool, somehow told me everything I needed to know.

And I hoped mine communicated those feelings back to him. You’re safe. You’re cared for. You’re wanted.

I wasn’t sure why those were the feelings I had felt so strongly—because wasn’t this insane? But looking into Matthew’s eyes, I felt it.

And then I blinked, and it was over, and we were corralling all of the students back onto the bus and settling back in for our ride back to campus. Where I sat, thigh to thigh with Matthew Harper, our hands dangerously close to touching between us.

It should have been a short ride, except we hit traffic, and before I knew it, I must have dozed off against his shoulder, because his lips were brushing against my forehead as he whispered, “Noelle, we’re back.”

I sat up with a start, almost hitting my head against the headrest.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

I shook my head, rubbing the back of my head. “It’s fine.” I looked at him and dropped my voice low. “I have a hard head.” And then I winked at him.

What did that even mean?

I was so stupid. I could have slapped myself in the face. I sighed instead and got off the bus behind Matthew.

And if I watched his ass in those jeans as we got off… Well, no one could fault me for looking, right? His body was objectively incredible. Toned and fit and everything.

He reached out his hand as I hit the bottom step, helping me to the ground, and then the moment had finally come. Standing on the grass outside my building, where I would have to say goodnight, and our magical day would end.

I sighed again. I really didn’t want it to end.

“I had fun today,” he smiled. “I don’t think I’ll ever see Red Pandas again and not think of you.”

“And do you?” I asked. He just blinked at me.

“What?”

My face split into a grin. “Think of me.” I gave a wink.

He shook his head and flicked my nose. “You’re so…”

“Charming? Alluring? Momentous?” I did a little flip of my hair and stood with my hands on my hips. Beautiful? Lovely? Incredible? I wanted to know what word was on the tip of his tongue. I wanted to hear him say it, to let it fill me with warmth from my head to my toes.

But he only shook his head and chuckled to himself. “Goodnight, Noelle. Thank you again for letting me come.”

“Don’t tell Hazel, but I think I had more fun with you than I would have with her,” I whispered. Matthew smiled at me before he turned around and walked toward his truck.

“And Matthew?” I said, and he turned around, looking back at me. His hands were shoved in his coat pockets, and I loved the way his hair was a little windswept, a little tousled from the day we spent outside. “About dinner…”

He stiffened as if he was fearing the worst. Like I was going to reject him. Like I would actually do that. Especially after everything we had shared today.

“I’d love to.” I smiled. And then, very businesslike, I stood to my full height (which was not much compared to his 6’4 stature) and said, “Tomorrow night. Pick me up at seven.”

He let out a relieved breath, and the left corner of his mouth tilted up. “See you tomorrow, Miss Hastings.” His eyes sparkled with amusement.

I stepped in closer, and he pulled me into his arms. And then—we were hugging. I was hugging Matthew Harper, here, in front of my residence hall. I couldn’t help myself as I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his chest though. I took in the scent of him, like pine trees and man and something that was just him. It felt right in his arms, a feeling of rightness I didn’t want to end yet. I didn’t want to step out of his powerful hold, even as I sighed against his tall frame.