Page 10

Liam

I take a sip of coffee, enjoying a quiet moment in my apartment. For once, my neighbors are taking a break from being noisy, allowing me to get some work done.

As I look through a research paper, I decide to take a look at some of the results from an experiment I recorded in my notebook earlier.

Putting my mug down, I get to my feet and grab my backpack.

For a whole minute, I rifle through my stack of books and random sheets of formulas and equations, unable to find the notebook I need. “Where the hell is it?” I groan, turning the backpack upside down and shaking everything out.

I stare at the bits of paper and pens that have fallen on the bed, my frustration rising. The notebook I use to record the results and calculations from all my experiments is still missing.

My heart pounds with fear and agitation. If I can’t find the notebook, I’ll lose weeks of hard work.

I’m usually careful with my things. There’s no way I’ll leave my notebook somewhere and forget about it.

Did someone take it by mistake? I wonder. The notebook is a standard A4-sized pad that many students use in the university. There’s a chance someone picked it up thinking it belonged to them.

At least, my name is on it , I think, hoping whoever has taken the notebook will return it to me.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, distracting me. Taking it out, I see there’s a new text from Hayden.

Missing something, babe? – Hayden.

I stare at the text. How does he know I’m missing my notebook?

Instinctively, I glance around my tiny apartment, wondering if he’s somehow here and watching me from behind the refrigerator or something.

It’s a moment before I realize Hayden’s the culprit who stole my notebook.

If you want your notebook back, meet me outside Room 206 in the Economics department at 7 PM. Don’t be late. – Hayden

Yep. I guessed it right!

Hayden’s the one who stole my notebook. Does he have any idea how important it is to me?

He probably knows it very well , I realize with a huff of frustration.

Hayden is exceptionally smart. He hides it from everyone around him but I’ve spent enough tutoring sessions with him to recognize his intelligence.

For some reason, Hayden is happy to be himself when he’s around me. I’m probably the only one who knows his secrets.

Maybe that’s the reason he loves torturing me , I realize, re-reading the text Hayden sent me.

I know this is a trap. Hayden just wants to get me alone somewhere and get his way with me.

Anger and desperation clash within me.

I don’t want to meet him that late in the evening but I don’t have a choice.

Hayden may think it’s funny to steal my notebook but I need it back. I can’t chicken out of his prank and lose weeks of hard work.

“Ugh! I hate you, Hayden,” I mutter under my breath and sink onto the edge of my bed.

Despite everything, I feel a sliver of relief.

At least, the notebook isn’t lost. Hayden has it and as long as I play along with him, I can get it back.

But the thought of seeing Hayden makes my face heat up with embarrassment. The memory of him kissing me while stroking my cock is still fresh in my mind.

Just thinking about it makes my cock throb with need.

A groan escapes me. My relationship with Hayden as his tutor is thoroughly screwed.

I’ll just have to stay strong and tell him it can’t happen again , I decide, making up my mind.

I walk through the deserted hallways of the Economics department, looking for the room Hayden mentioned. It’s close to seven PM and not a single person is in sight. Everything feels quiet and eerie, making my nerves prickle.

Rounding a corner, I finally find the classroom marked 206 .

I look around, scanning the dimly lit corridor for Hayden.

And then, before I even see him, I feel him.

A woody smell combined with the fragrance of citrus-scented soap. That’s exactly how Hayden smells after a shower.

What the hell am I doing memorizing what he smells like?!

I’m about to turn around but Hayden grabs my wrist and pulls me inside the classroom. Gently shoving me against the wall beside the door, he steps closer to me.

“Hayden,” I gasp, feeling the waves of heat radiating from his massive, hard chest. “What are you doing?”

“Just making sure you can’t escape,” he says, meeting my gaze.

“Where’s my notebook?” I snap, glaring at him.

He smirks, looking smug and unfairly hot.

“Don’t worry, Liam,” he says in a low, teasing voice. “It’s safe with me. But I was thinking...maybe you should earn it back?”

Earn it? The implication behind those words is not lost on me as I stare up at the Greek god in denim and leather standing too close to me.

“This is low, even for you,” I say through clenched teeth.

Hayden grins. “But you still came. You could’ve waited until our next tutoring session to take your notebook back but you’re here right now. You want something more than the book, don’t you?”

My cheeks heat up as my heart starts pounding loudly in my ears.

Hayden’s right. No matter how much I hate it, I can’t stop yearning for more.

Hayden’s no longer just a student to me. He’s become a drug that I’ve started craving. I know he’ll poison my life but I still can’t stop myself from wanting more.

“Cut the games,” I mutter, struggling to sound firm and unaffected. “Give me the notebook.”

Hayden doesn’t move. A dark look settles in his eyes as he places a hand against the wall beside my head, caging me against him.

“Admit it, Liam,” Hayden murmurs, his lips nearly touching mine. “You missed me.”

My fingers curl into fists. “I didn’t—”

Hayden brushes his lips over mine before I can deny everything. “I sure as hell missed you.”

“Hayden—”

He doesn’t give me a chance to say another word as he crashes his lips against my mouth. His hard muscles press into me as he kisses me hungrily.

Heat unfurls deep in my belly. Before I can control my reaction to him, my fingers are curling into his jacket, pulling him closer instead of pushing him away.

His tongue slips into my mouth, tasting me fully.

Hayden’s kiss soon turns messy and desperate, like he’s been waiting too long for this. I can feel his frustration as I try to keep up with him.

And just as suddenly, he pulls back.

My breathing turns ragged as I stare into Hayden’s silvery eyes.

“Go out with me,” Hayden says in a low, rough voice.

I can barely think straight as my cock throbs at the same tempo as my heart. “What—”

“Go out with me, Liam,” he repeats. “And I’ll give you your notebook back.”

I blink, still dazed. “You’re kidding.”

The intensity in his eyes makes my heart pound harder. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”

I open my mouth, ready to tell him to cut the bullshit. There’s no way I’m falling for his trick and agreeing to go on a date with him.

“You owe me,” Hayden murmurs, his voice smooth and cocky. His thumb traces over my bottom lip as his stare turns hungry again.

“I don’t owe you anything,” I mumble.

“Don’t you?”

“You stole my notebook!” I shout, unable to stay in control of my emotions and my desires. “I’m not going on a date with you just because you think you can blackmail me into it.”

“Blackmail?” Hayden scoffs. “I’m just making it easy on you. I know you want me. You can lie as much as you want but your body always tells the truth.”

“You’re an idiot!”

He chuckles. “This idiot is making you blush so hard. Just say ‘yes’.”

“I’m not blushing!”

Hayden presses his lips to mine. This time, his kiss is too rough and hot, disorienting me completely.

His strong hands grip my hips as he presses his body into mine. I can feel his hardness digging into my belly, telling me he’s damn serious about me.

A whimper escapes me.

Hayden pulls back at once, a triumphant grin blossoming on his luscious lips.

Shit! My body betrayed me again!

“You were saying?” Hayden whispers.

I gasp for breath, desperately wracking my brain to find the right words to say to him. “You—"

Hayden doesn’t wait. He kisses me again but this time, he’s gentler, like he’s savoring the taste of my lips.

I moan into his mouth while my fingers clutch his jacket like a lifeline.

Hayden breaks away and grins. He knows he’s won against me and there’s no way I can deny the effect he has on me.

“Say ‘yes’ already,” he whispers.

I swallow hard. Am I really about to agree to his demand?

A heavy breath escapes me. “Fine.”

“Now that’s a smart answer,” he says, beaming. Pulling my notebook out from behind him, he presses it against my chest. “I guess this belongs to you.”

I snatch it from him. “You’re an asshole.”

“But I’m your asshole now.” He leans in again, this time slower, taking his time to brush his lips against mine teasingly. “You’re going on a date with me tomorrow.”

I exhale sharply, trying to gather some semblance of control. “What if I say no?”

“You won’t.”

I hate how much I believe him.

I hate it even more when he kisses me again, softer, slower, like a promise.

When Hayden finally steps back, my knees wobble like jelly.

“See you tomorrow.”

“I didn’t agree yet,” I point out at once.

He winks. “You kissed me back just now. That’s all the agreement I need.” Stepping away from me, he walks out of the door, leaving me a complete mess.