Love? Where exactly was he from? “I’m fine,” I said. I was anything but, really. My body hummed melodically every time his thumb traced my skin. It seemed to take us a year to get to our seats.
Natalie grinned at me when Zach didn’t let go of my hand. I shook my head fractionally, eyes wide, trying to get her to stop embarrassing me.
I hated being introduced to this many people at once. I usually feel uneasy around a group this large, but today was worse. There were eight people I couldn’t converse well with because I didn’t want to say “Hey, you.”
“So, Rayla, what brings you to St. Mary’s?” Zach asked. The lilting way he said my name enveloped me like a sweet ballad.
I tried to wipe the perm-a-smile from my face, but it refused to budge. “I liked what they had to offer.” My reasoning had been way more complicated, but such information wasn’t the sort of thing to get into after just meeting someone.
“I’m thinking I agree with you.” He winked. “Too bad they won’t let the likes of me in here. I’m lucky to be eating lunch with you.”
Sam leaned toward me conspiratorially. “There he goes again. You better watch out. He’s bound to start an uprising.”
Zach inclined his head, looking down his straight nose toward Sam. “Why should a beautiful woman such as Rayla be secreted away from the masculine persuasion? I tell you it is a crime to be sure.”
Had I heard that right? He thought I was beautiful? A pleasurable shiver slipped up my spine. I laughed. “I haven’t exactly been hidden.”
He squeezed my fingers gently. “Have you not, now? If you were at Notre Dame, I would never let those stormy eyes of yours out of my sight. They remind me of the clouds here just before it snows.” He smiled mischievously, running his thumb leisurely over my knuckles. When he came nearer, his mesmerizing eyes entranced me. “I’d even change my major to be near you, lass. Now, I can’t do that here, can I?” He stiffened his back, running his hand down his silhouette as if emphasizing his height. “I could dress up as a girl, but I hardly think anyone would buy it.”
I sure wouldn’t. I couldn’t even picture him in women’s clothes, and I had always had a great imagination.
One of the guys shook his head. “A declaration like that might mean more if you didn’t change your major daily.” He elbowed Zach in the side. “Can’t you see you’re embarrassing the girl? She’ll mark you as some sort of lunatic stalker if you don’t lay off.”
My face was aflame. It had to be two shades redder than Rudolph’s glowing nose. I hadn’t ever had someone come on to me so strongly, especially not someone as attractive as Zach. Well, to be fair, I hadn’t ever seen someone like him. He wasn’t pretty-boy handsome like Brody. He was pure muscles-bulging-everywhere-rugged man with high voltage eyes and a mystifying smile.
Zach turned toward me, concern clear on his face. “I’m used to being a bit bold around women I find irresistible. Do you wish me to tone it down?”
My stomach did a flip at the sultry look he shot me. “Maybe a little,” I said. He was a lot to handle even without his brazen advances.
“Okay, love, we’ll take it slow.” He nudged my foot under the table and a calm sensation rushed through my veins, reigning in my heartbeat. “How’s that sound?”
I smiled, wondering why I had gotten so freaked out. Zach already felt like an old friend, and I had only known him a few minutes. “Better.”
We talked about our majors, everyone except Zach. He slumped low in his seat, casually listening to each one of us discuss our reasons for existing. He threw out the odd pithy comment, but other than that, he didn’t say much. I had never laughed as much as I had today. Even though he was the silent, brooding type, he was still fun to be around. Amazingly, I liked being the object of his affections. Something not quite tangible about him set me at ease.
Too soon, he escorted me to my next class. Man I wanted to spend more time with him.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” he asked, coming closer.
His size absolutely intimidated me, but his nearness was what made my heart flutter like a dying moth. He wanted me to go to the football game with him, so I had invited him to come with Cassie and me. “Uh-huh,” I said dreamily.
That was the best I could come up with? Good grief, I sounded like a moron.
His fingertips brushed my cheek lightly before he turned and sauntered away, whistling a sad sort of melody that brought to mind long lost loves and days gone by. I watched him go, realizing I didn’t know anything about him other than his name. I could have practically written biographies for every person sitting at that table by the time we were done talking today, but not him. Why was that?
Five Page 11
