Chapter 16
Jazmine Allen
T hree weeks.
That is how long it took for us to fight. Personally, I think that is a new record for Theodore and I. Our playful banter—mainly his endless flirting—was still happening but conflict was at a minimum.
Enter the thesis paper.
“You’re not writing the paper by yourself,” Theodore grits.
He acts as if I will take his name off the project. “You’re still going to get credit,”
Theodore shakes his head. “No, stop being a control freak. The whole point of project is to create a partnership,”
Fuck him. Do I love to be in charge all the time? Sure. Does everything I do need to be perfect? Yes.
Okay, maybe Theodore has a point but he won't hear that from me.
“I’m not a control freak,”
Theodore barks out a laugh. “You’re lying. We should both take different parts of the thesis paper and once we combine it, then we can make sure everything flows.”
My teeth grind against each other. He is impossible. Any other person would be happy not to do any of the work. I suck in a deep breath, waiting for my blood to lower in heat. Unfortunately, snapping at Theodore won’t get me my way. Trust me, I tried it before.
“Fine. But we need to decide on a date to complete the subject interview,”
We are a week into October, meaning our time is running out. The due date is the nineteenth of November, which will sneak up on us if we don’t plan.
“Next Thursday. We can do an extra session on Wednesday to collate questions and create a scaffold for the paper,”
“Okay, that will work.”
Theodore smirks. “See Princess, we can play nice.”
I glare at him, eyebrows scrunched and lips pursed. “Why would we do that? Besides, being mean to you brings me pleasure. "
Theodore’s tongue darts across his lips, eyes darkening. Is it a good idea to tease him? No. But it has recently become one of my favourite pastimes.
"My tongue is well acquainted with pleasure if that's what you want, Princess?"
Fire scorches through my veins and for a moment, air doesn’t reach my lungs. We are in dangerous territory now. The space between us is charged with electricity, one rogue spark will cause an inferno. Despite the forced proximity, I’ve been able to suppress my attraction to Theodore.
But now, inappropriate thoughts are pulling me closer to the edge of a cliff where the smallest step will drag me into Theodore’s orbit without an escape.
My eyes never waver from Theodore's gaze. A shiver glides down my spine as flames build in my core, causing my body to flush. The ache in my core is begging me to reach out to Theodore—to touch him, taste him.
Fuck. I need to escape these walls. Otherwise, tomorrow morning my gut will churn with regret and anxiety. Time drags on, the tension never breaking.
My heart leaps into my throat as my ringtone blares, echoing off the walls of Theodore's bedroom. My hands shake as I pull my phone from the back pocket of my jeans.
A ragged sigh escapes from my mouth. “It’s Jay,”
I'm breathless as I answer. Theodore's eyes dim, the fog of lust seemingly disappears. The call is short with Jayden reminding me about our gym session. Fuck. I completely forgot we had organised to do that .
A few weeks ago, I asked Jay for advice on how to get rid of the tension in my muscles. I laughed at him when he said his usual method is to get laid. Yeah, that option isn’t on the table.
After the situation at the party, I took it as an omen that orgasms with another person aren’t for me. Therefore, Jayden said he would take me to the gym which is his second option to release tension.
I agree to meet my brother at the gym, thankfully, giving me the excuse I need to escape the proximity of Theodore. He tilts his head, silently questioning what is happening.
I clear my throat. “Sorry, I forgot that I was meeting Jayden at the gym. I’ll see you later,”
Theodore’s face drops but he nods, nonetheless.
A deep breath finally hits my lungs when I leave Knight’s apartment. Being near him is not good for my sanity. Or my libido.
***
I slam my fists into the gloves Jayden is wearing.
“His stupid golden hair,” I huff out, through continuous punches. “His stupid smirk, I just want to wipe it off his face.”
Jayden chuckles at my dramatics. “I thought you found a therapist; can’t you rant to her about Theo. Or better yet, your roommates. ”
After the situation that occurred at Theodore's house, punching anything is what I needed. Every time my fists pummel the gloves Jayden has on, I imagine Knight's face. A safe way of expelling the tension that always manifests when I'm near Theodore.
I huff, catching my breath before I reply. “You agreed to let me punch something, hence you also get to hear my ranting as well.”
I ignore the guilt that tingles in my stomach when Jay mentions my therapist. I cancelled my appointment last week because I picked up an extra shift at Strong Beans.
Dr Gray didn’t hide her concern over the phone but respected my decision nonetheless. With everything going on, I’m finding it hard to make time to see her so I will probably miss tomorrow's session as well.
I’ll be fine. My insomnia has been less active over the past couple weeks, which is a good sign. I stop punching the bag Jay is holding, pulling my boxing gloves off before unwrapping the tape from my wrists. Taking a deep breath, I stretch my arms and legs to cool my body back down.
I haven’t been a usual member at the gym since I left high school as I never have the time. But this session was great. I’m really glad my brother suggested it. Much better than his ‘you should get laid’ option.
My phone buzzes, Willow’s name appearing on the screen.
Willow Rogers:
Hey! I’m coming to Arizona for a week. Any chance I can stay with you?
Jazmine Allen:
Of course! I’m super excited, we can go out for drinks.
Willow Rogers:
Yes! Can’t wait, I am flying down tomorrow. Should be in around lunch time.
Jazmine Allen:
I have class until one o’clock but can pick you up after.
Willow Rogers:
Sounds great!
“Who are you texting?” Jayden asks.
“Willow. She is coming down for a week,”
Jay rolls his eyes, while his brows scrunch towards one another. My left hand is on my hip and right hand pointing directly at him. “I don’t want to hear anything from you, honestly, how hard is it to get along with one of my friends.”
“The day I get along with Willow Rogers is the day hell freezes over,”
“And you say I’m dramatic,”
Jay glances between his phone and me. “Sorry, I have to go. Coach is calling a meeting,”
“Don’t think you can avoid this conversation,”
“I just did,”