CHAPTER TWO
S TEFANIE
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I SHOULD HAVE WALKED in the opposite direction.
Maybe taken a wild guess at where Benson Hall was and wandered for another half hour. That would have been better than this. Better than walking beside Julian Cattaneo, trying not to notice the way his shirt stretched across his broad shoulders.
Trying not to let the scent of his cologne, spicy, clean, expensive, mess with my already-frazzled brain. I was hyperaware of this man in a way that made no rational sense. I blamed the sun. That had to be it. I was overheated. Dehydrated. That’s all.
My reactions to him weren’t signs of attraction. They were signs of a heat stroke. I needed a doctor, not dick. Stupid sun. I stared up at the sky and squinted as the sun beamed down on me, seeming to say, “Bitch don’t blame me. Blame your self-induced dick drought.”
Yup, sun. That’s probably what it was. The dick drought. My body was so starved for intimacy that it was ready to throw itself at the first man with ridable lips and a swag that screamed he was packing.
Ugh! Stop thinking like that, Stefanie! You’re a mom who is on your daughter’s college campus. Act like it.
Not paying attention to my steps, I nearly tripped when my high heel got caught in a crack on the sidewalk. I almost pitched forward. For a second, my life flashed before my eyes. It was a scary sight – dull, uneventful, with the only highlights being my career and my daughter.
Before I could plunge to the ground, Julian’s hands wrapped around my waist, preventing the fall. That was close! Heart racing, I clutched his arms for balance. Muscles on top of muscles. That’s what I felt.
My mouth went dry, all of the liquid in me racing to my panties. Gush! This man had me gushing. What the actual hell? I gave his muscles a light squeeze to see if they were real. They were! Gush .
Stefanie, unhand this young man before you embarrass yourself. I quickly moved away from him. Too embarrassed to meet his gaze, I straightened my dress on me and stared forward. My eyes widened.
There it was! Benson Hall. We were almost there, which meant I no longer needed his help. Turning away from his infuriating smirk, I tightened my grip on my purse and walked a little faster, hoping he’d get the hint.
Sure, we were heading the same way, but we didn’t have to walk together. Of course, he completely ignored my hints, matching my pace effortlessly. Why did he have such long legs? Did that mean he also had a long... Stefanie, stop it! My intrusive thoughts were going to be the death of me.
“Are you trying to run away from me?” Julian asked, breathing normally while I was almost out of breath from trying to out-walk him.
What the hell, lungs? I jog on the regular. Well, semi-regular. What more do you want from me? I glanced at him, gifting him my fiercest side-eye. He let out a deep chuckle like my irritation was his entertainment for the day.
“I just saved you from falling. You should be thanking me, not trying to run away from me,” he quipped. “You’re hurting my feelings, Ms. Adams.”
The way he said Ms. Adams was making me even more breathless. This was not like me. Over the years, I’d become a pro at ignoring advances. I was considered an Ice Queen at work.
Yet, this guy was melting my icebergs with a smirk. Just a smirk! I responded by walking faster. He easily matched my speed. I needed to work out more. Cross-fit training, here I come. Chocolate ice cream, you’re out.
“I hate to break it to you, Ms. Adams, but running from me won’t do you much good. I’m like a hound dog once I latch onto a scent I want. And I don’t let go until it’s mine.” He inhaled deeply. “You smell divine, by the way.”
Those words shouldn’t have done anything to me. They shouldn’t have sent a tiny shiver down my spine or made me wonder just how good it would feel to have this man’s lips latched onto my pussy. Damn you, dick drought!
Slowing down, I cleared my throat and asked, “Do you practice saying things that sound like red flags, or does it just come naturally?”
His smirk deepened. “Red flag means I’m bad for you, right?”
“Yup,” I agreed, glad that he was catching on.
“I must be a green flag then because everything I’m fantasizing about doing to you will make you feel good. And as long as it feels good, that means it’s not bad for you, right?”
Right!
Wrong!
So wrong.
The wrongest.
There was no need to try to explain why it was wrong to him because, clearly, there was no getting through to him. I rolled my eyes and faced forward again. The sooner I got to Benson Hall, the better. Julian, however, refused to continue the walk in silence.
“I’ve gotta say,” he started. “I didn’t think you’d actually let me help you.”
I gave him a pointed look. “I didn’t. You forced yourself into my business.”
“If I hadn’t, you’d still be walking in circles.”
I scoffed. “I would’ve eventually asked for directions.”
“But if you’d done that, you wouldn’t have met me,” he said smoothly. “And that would’ve been tragic.”
I chuckled sarcastically.
“What?” he asked. “You don’t think it would’ve been tragic? You don’t think our meeting today was fate?”
“Fate? That’s a stretch.”
“I was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago. Yet, I arrived just in time to see you, to be there for you when you needed me. If that isn’t fate, I don’t know what it is.”
“Punishment.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing,” I muttered. “I can see the dorm now. You don’t have to keep walking beside me.”
“Damn. So you’re the kind of person who takes what they want and leaves before the sun comes up, huh?”
My stomach clenched. I hated the way he said things. Every word was laced with innuendo, like he was testing me to see how much it would take to fluster me. Normally, I wasn’t easily flustered. With him, every single word set me on edge. However, I refused to let him win.
“Yes, I leave when services are no longer required,” I told him. “Especially when the service is poor.”
“How would you rate my service so far?”
“Zero stars. I do not recommend.”
He burst out laughing. The sound was so unexpected that a smile almost crossed my face before I realized it and held it in. I would not smile for Julian Cattaneo.
“Zero stars? Damn.” He chuckled. “You must let me do something to change your opinion of my.... services.”
“No, thanks.”
He sighed. “It’s your fault the service wasn’t better.”
Those words stopped me in my tracks. I glared at him. “My fault?”
He stopped also, folding his arms over his chest. I hated that, even in heels, I had to tilt my head back to stare up at him.
“Yeah, your fault,” he insisted.
“How?” I asked, wanting to hear his reason since this would be the last time we talked, ever .
“Because you’ve been uptight since the moment I stepped to you like a gentleman and offered my help.”
“Uptight?” I snapped. “I am not uptight.”
“Did that word strike a nerve?”
Yes . “No. I’m not uptight.” And I’m tired of people calling me that.
“If you would’ve just let me help you without being stubborn, things would’ve gone smoother. Now that you’ve gotten what you want, you want off the ride. Rides don’t work like that,” he told me, voice dropping lower. “Once strapped in, you can’t get off until the conductor unties you. We haven’t reached our destination yet. Plus, I haven’t let you off this ride yet, Ms. Adams.”
If he wanted to throw out innuendos, I could too.
“Ride?” I scoffed. “This was no ride, young man because you have to be at least thirty-five to ride this ride. And you’re not.”
“Oh, really?” he asked, stepping closer.
I couldn’t back down now. “Really!” I lifted my chin, holding his gaze, refusing to look away.
He nodded before licking his lips and saying, “That’s a damn shame.”
Yay! Win for me. “Sorry. You should find another ride.”
“Hmmm. I guess I can’t ride your ride, huh?”
“Rules are rules.” I shrugged, feeling like I’d finally beat him at his game.
I could part ways the victor. He nodded again as he stepped forward again, closing the gap between us. Okay, he was getting too close. This guy didn’t understand the concept of personal space.
Everything in me screamed retreat . But I didn’t. Later, I’d mull over why I didn’t move. Was it his cologne holding me captive? Or, maybe it was the look in his eyes that, for a second, made me want to play with fire?
That couldn’t be it. I’d been burned before. I’d learned to avoid flames. I was a pro at that. I don’t know what held me in place as he invaded my personal space. All I know is that I didn’t move once he was standing toe to toe with me, smelling and looking good enough to lick.
Neither did I move when he leaned closer, eyes glued to mine, daring me to say something or at least push him away. I did neither of those things. I remained frozen in place, wondering, needing to know what he was about to do next. However, nothing could’ve prepared me for the words he whispered in my ear.
“I may not be able to ride your ride, but you can still ride mine ,” he whispered, voice low, sensual, probably illegal. “It may get a little bumpy at times,” he continued. “But if you hold on tight, I promise you won’t fall off.”
Well, damn. I had no response for that. None. Nothing. Nada. There were no words in any language that could get me out of this current predicament. My heart was racing, cheeks flushed, nipples hard, mouth silent, pussy begging for a chance to get on his ride.
Thankfully, Julian, the seducer of older women, stepped back. I exhaled the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and tried to clear my head of the force of nature that was Julian Cataneo. My gaze lingered on the buttons on his shirt. I couldn’t stare into his eyes right now. I wasn’t ready.
“It seems you’re not ready for that conversation yet,” he told me.
I didn’t reply. Hell no, I wasn’t ready. Would never be ready.
“Look at me, Stefanie,” he ordered, the command clear in his tone.
Why did my silly behind do as he ordered? I swallowed, meeting his gaze, seeing a hunger there that scared me more than it excited me. He didn’t even know me. There was no reason for him to be looking at me that way. Yet, he was.
Who was this Julian Cattaneo? And why did one look from him have me wanting to do something I knew was wrong on so many levels? That intense look slowly faded and was replaced with a smile as he gestured toward our destination.
“Let’s keep moving. Your daughter and my sister are waiting for us.”
He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there staring after him. Was he really able to switch that look off and on so easily? He was walking forward while I was standing there, wondering if my legs were strong enough to carry me forward.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. My mind was both blank and full at the same time. How was that even possible? Just walk, Stefanie, I told myself. Just walk. Don’t think. Just walk.
I took a step forward, thankful that my legs didn’t shake. I took another step. Finally, I was walking, moving toward Benson Hall. The large brick dormitory loomed before me, my safe haven.
I just had to make it there and get India. Then we could leave, and I could be free of Julian and his rogue charms. When we reached the building, Julian grabbed the door handle and pulled it open.
“After you, Ms. Adams,” he murmured.
I entered the building, walking stiffly, wondering if he was staring at my ass right now. Cool air immediately wrapped around me, a welcomed reprieve from the blazing heat outside. Ahhh, it felt good in here.
I sighed in relief, but my moment of peace was cut short the second Julian strolled in behind me, letting the door shut at his back. I could feel his presence, and it had me getting hot all over again.
“You good?” he asked, moving to the side to let a couple of students by so they could exit the building.
I nodded. “Perfect. Thanks for showing me how to get here.” You’re dismissed.
I pulled my phone out to call India. From the corner of my eye, I saw Julian head over to the vending machine by the wall, hands sliding into his pockets. Why was I watching him? He was no longer my concern.
“You should drink some water,” he said.
I frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You’ve been out in the sun too long. Your face is flushed, and your skin looks...” He paused, gaze roaming over me. “A little too warm.”
Because you’ve kept me blushing since the moment you approached me. I was too old to be blushing. A second later, the vending machine rumbled to life, and a cold bottle of water dropped down. Julian bent to grab it, and no, I didn’t stare at his ass.
Okay, I did. Am I officially stepping into cougar territory? Was I now a jungle cat, and did that make Julian my prey? If so, why did I feel like I was the prey and he was the panther waiting to pounce?
Approaching me, he twisted the cap off. “Here.”
I hesitated. Not because I didn’t want the water but because this was the first time he’d done something without teasing me. No flirting. No games. No innuendos. Just... a small, considerate gesture.
I accepted his act of kindness. “Thanks, Julian.”
"Anytime," he said, watching me as I sipped the water.
I felt self-conscious with his gaze on me. My hand trembled slightly. I lowered the bottle and recapped it before I spilled it all over me or something. Julian stretched his hand out to me.
“It was nice meeting you, Stefanie Adams.”
I hesitated before taking his hand. It was just a handshake. No big deal. I was proven wrong the moment his palm met mine. His palm was warm, fingers wrapping around mine with just enough pressure to make me feel it everywhere.
And I do mean everywhere . His fingers were long. I quickly banished that train of thought from my mind. I gave his hand a quick shake, then tried to pull away, but he didn’t let go. Not immediately.
Instead, he brushed his thumb across my knuckles, slow and smooth, like he was memorizing the shape of my hand. I swallowed. Hard. He stepped closer. I glanced left and right, thankful that we were currently alone in the lobby area.
“I’m sure we’ll see each other again one day,” he told me.
Not happening. “Wait. Aren’t you going to wait for your sister?”
He shook his head. “She called me right before I approached you. That brat has other plans for her spring break. She doesn’t need me to drive her home for the week.”
“Then why did you walk me to their dorm?”
“See you later, Ms. Adams,” he whispered before bringing my hand to his lips to kiss the back of it. His lips lingered there, and I shuddered when he whispered, “Why do you smell so fucking good?”
I jerked my hand back, body flushed, mind mush, pussy... gush .
He smiled. “Sorry. I’m doing it again, huh? Being too much of a green flag.”
“Red,” I corrected.
He winked. “See you later, Ms. Adams.”
He turned and left, leaving me standing there staring after him. I should look away. But damn it, I couldn’t. He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Our eyes met. Busted again. He mouthed something, then turned and continued walking.
I wasn’t good at reading lips, but had he just mouthed, “I want you.” No. Impossible. He couldn’t have. Had he?