Page 4 of The Billionaire's Classmate

‘’What on earth do you have against cheerleaders? You started this ridiculous feud with your discrimination against all cheerleaders and pretty much women in general’’ she suddenly yelled. ‘’And no, I don’t want your money. I want… you!’’

‘’Baby, why didn’t you just say?’’ he jumped off the ice, pulled off his boots and sauntered towards her, cornering her against the wall.

‘’No, no, that’s not what I meant,’’ Laurel protested but he was towering above her, looking down at her with those dark mysterious eyes, forehead still glistening with sweat from his vigorous routine. His lips, so close, and so soft, for someone so rough and chiseled, captivated her. His skin was smooth, his eyebrows heavy, and his jaw strong. She admired his Greek-god like features and before she knew it his lips had landed on hers.

I’m an idiot. I’m gonna get hurt. I can’t start liking him. He’s an arrogant, self-centered, pig of a man. She kept telling herself these things and kept telling herself to pull away but as his lips continued to encase hers, his tongue gently exploring, his arms holding her strong and close, all reason in her head became smothered by lust and adrenaline and desire.

Their steamy embrace came to an end and he grinned down at her. ‘’There we go’’ he said, ‘’We’re square now, right?’’

‘’You self-obsessed idiot’’ she said, coming back to her senses, ‘’If I found a penny on the street I wouldn’t trade it for a kiss with you!’’

But she had seen something in his eyes. The kiss was real. He had felt it too. She just knew he had.

‘’The information I have is worth far more than a penny on the street’’ she continued, ‘’and with it I will get much more than a kiss with an egocentric sport’s moron!’’

‘’How much?’’ he repeated aggressively.

‘’Well you see, it’s more a case of how many…?’’ she answered slyly.

He looked puzzled.

‘’I mean, you’ve seen me perform, right? How many hours of training would be needed to take me to the final of the state championships?’’

His eyes widened. ‘’What are you suggesting?’’ He paused. ‘’Are you mad?’’

She crossed her arms and looked at him defiantly.

‘’Yeah I guess I can arrange something…’’

‘’No!’’ said Laurel, ‘’It has to be you. I want you to train me. I want to dance like you.’’

‘’No way!’’ he yelled, but the look in his eyes spelled defeat and she smiled triumphantly.

***

Laurel woke up smiling. Her dream of being a top class figure skater finally seemed within reach. She took an old photograph from under her pillow and gazed at it lovingly. ‘’This is for you Granny,’’ she whispered.

She remembered watching her grandmother skating when she was a child. Despite her age and fragility, her grandmother could still skate incredibly well and she had seen photos and videos of her amazing performances that had taken place before Laurel was born. When the cancer had finally rendered her sweet grandmother bed-ridden and with only a few days left of life left inside her, she had given young Laurel a message that would stay with her forever. ‘’Do something that makes you happy,’’ she had told Laurel, ‘’Don’t be tempted by riches or fame. Their allure will quickly fade. Do something you love, dedicate yourself to it, and do it the best you possibly can!’’

From that moment Laurel had made a promise to herself that she would become a world-class figure skater, just like her grandmother. She kissed the picture gently before returning it to its place.

Her alarm brought her back to reality and she jumped out of bed quickly. She had a full day of classes ahead of her though and even though skating was her passion, she was beginning to enjoy law more and more, especially with Paul to help explain the stuff she didn’t get.

Her and Paul were pretty much inseparable during busy school days and on this day like many others they popped to their usual diner to re-fuel.

‘’Hamburger with fries and a peanut milkshake please!’’ she grinned at the waitress.

‘’Oh sorry honey, we’re all out of peanut butter. That guy just bought the last one,’’ and she waved her hand towards a guy slurping noisily at the table next to them.

He turned round and grinned. It was Ben. Of course, she thought. Typical. ‘’You snooze, you lose, sucker.’’ He sneered. ‘’Want some?’’ he waved the huge tumbler in front of her and she tried to grab it without luck. He then drained the last of its contents, slammed it down on the table, and walked off without looking back.

‘’Are we still on for tonight?’’ she yelled after him, but he was already halfway out the door. If she didn’t know better, she might have thought he was a little bit jealous.

‘’You’re not meeting up with that guy, seriously?’’ asked Paul, concerned. ‘’He’s such an idiot. All brawn and no brain,’’ he smirked.

‘’I… erm… yeah I know,’’ said Laurel, ‘’but we have a kind of arrangement. I’ll tell you about it another time. It’s nothing though, really. It’s not like I’ve got the hots for him or anything!’’ she lied.

Back at home later Jennifer was giving her a hard time about her continued nighttime escapades at the rink.