Protecting Her: A Romance Bundle

by Mia Ford

  I do another quick scan of the room but it’s pointless. Rachel is in among those dancing, partying bodies somewhere. I doubt I’ll see her again until tomorrow morning now. She’s off having fun. I do like the girl a lot, from what I’ve seen so far, she seems really awesome, but she’s quite wild too. That’s really coming out.

  “Yeah, I lost the guy I’m living with too and I can barely remember his name. Do you want a drink?”

  “You want to hang out with me?” Even though he’s been really nice to me, it still seems odd.

  “Of course, I do! We need to have each other’s backs now, don’t we? We’ll have to be friends.”

  Being friends with Jordan Miller isn’t something I ever thought would happen, nor would I desire it too. I wasn’t everyone who needed to be in the popular crowd, but still, there’s an odd sense of pride now that he actually wants to spend time in my presence. I just need to remember that this is my brand-new start, and I’m becoming another person, a much more confident than who I was in school. I can’t let Jordan derail that.

  “Sure, why not. Let’s go and get a drink.”

  For a second, he fixes his eyes upon me and I shiver under the weight of his gaze. It’s almost like he’s really seeing me for the very first time and it feels nice. Especially because he is a good-looking guy. He’s strong, he’s got big muscles rippling all over his body that comes from being a jock. His cropped black hair is nice too, combined with his sparkling green eyes and awesome dimples, he looks very pleasing.

  I bet others are wondering what he’s doing with the girl in jeggings and a grey dress, plus minimal make up… if anyone is looking our way, of course. Chances are no one cares one iota.

  Jordan takes my arm and leads me towards the bar where he orders me a drink. My heart thunders in my chest as I feel an odd sense of electricity prickling up and down my arm where he touched me, it’s weird. I don’t get why it’s there. I run my hand up and down it, willing it to go away, but it remains.

  “Shall we go somewhere a little quieter?” Jordan asks as he hands me my drink. “I can’t really hear you in here. That music is just, like, crazy loud.”

  Hmmm, not so used to parties after all! I nod eagerly, grateful for the chance to get away from the racket. I’m also excited to find out more about what Jordan’s doing here and whether he intends to use this time to grow and change too. Maybe we can find some common ground to actually build a friendship on… this life change!

  Jordan takes me into one of the side rooms where there are games set up for students to play. It’s much quieter which is a relief, and there’ll be something for us to do to stop it getting awkward. But Jordan doesn’t head to any of the games, he finds a small intimate table for us to sit around.

  “So” He leans his elbows on the table and smiles up at me. “Tell me all about yourself, Veronica. If we’re going to be friends then I better get to know everything about you.”

  Oh God, being put on the spot isn’t my strongest suit, I don’t know how I’m going to share anything about me, but I have to admit there’s a little piece of me that’s so intrigued to learn about him, I’ll try.

  “Erm, well I’m here to do English, that’s one thing. What else do you want to know?”

  “Everything.” He smiles and makes a sweeping gesture with his hands. “Absolutely everything.”

  2

  Jordan

  I wipe the sweat from my forehead feeling good as the pain of a great work out tears through my body. Football in college is very different to high school. I’ve gone from being the big fish in the small pond, to a tiny fish in a giant ocean, but actually, it’s okay. I don’t mind the challenge, it’s helping me to grow.

  “Good game,” one of the guys from the team – I’m struggling to remember all of their names at the moment – pats me on the back and makes me feel good. “We all worked well together as a team which was awesome.” It’s weirdly much less competitive in college too. We all work as one which is nice. I like it so far. “Are we all headed out to the student bar later on tonight? We need to celebrate how well the season’s going so far.”

  “Yeah, sounds good.” I glance at the clock on the wall. “But only for a while.”

  “Oh yeah? You got a hot date? That’s the only way you can get out of drinks.”

  I feel an odd blush fill my cheeks. It isn’t that at all, but I don’t want to invite more questions in. Mine and Veronica’s friendship is just that, but I have a feeling these guys wouldn’t understand that. Much as they’re much more mature on the playing field, when it comes to the female species they’re like kids in a candy store. They won’t get that me and Veronica are friends from high school, well sort of, and we’re supporting each other.

  “Something like that, yeah,” I shoot back gruffly. “I have plans but I definitely have time for a drink.”

  I strip my clothes down and hop into the shower to effectively end the conversation. As the hot jets of water stream over me, I think about Veronica and how it’ll be when we meet later. I didn’t ever get to know her in high school, but that was because I found myself trapped in the popular kid’s bubble. I couldn’t see anything other than the other football players, the cheerleaders, and the people who partied all the time. I barely even knew there were other people in my classes… and now I regret that because it made me miss out on people like Veronica.

  The more I get to know her, the more I like her. She’s a good person to have around. Kind, funny, sweet. I’m so glad that I can connect with someone from my past, it helps to bridge that gap between this life and the last. Tonight, we’re going to grab some food from the canteen and then she promised to check over my last essay for me. It isn’t exactly hot date material, but the other guys don’t need to know that. Actually, I haven’t had any sort of date since starting college two months ago, which is shocking since I always had a girl on my arm in school… but I have other things to focus on now. It isn’t the top of my priority list. I just don’t feel like I need a woman on my arm when I’m so busy studying, socializing, just getting used to this new life.

  Or maybe there’s another reason I’m not quite willing to admit yet. But that’s for another day…

  ***

  I slug back the dregs of my second drink, glad to leave the bar. It’s been fun, I love hanging out with the guys, but the closer it gets to the time I’m going to meet Veronica, the readier I am to leave. Just as I’m about to say my goodbyes to the boys from the team, my roommate, Liam, grabs onto my arm to get my attention.

  “Hey.” He stuffs his hands into his pocket, looking as awkward as he always does. There’s something about Liam that I can’t quite connect with. I really want to, so damn badly, but I find it hard to get there. “You okay?”

  I nod slowly, wondering why he’s talking to me now. Usually, we only speak when we’re in our room and we kinda awkwardly nod at one another in public. This is strange, I don’t know what’s going on here.

  “Yeah, all good thanks, Liam.” He doesn’t say anything, I need to ask. “Are you…?”

  “Erm, oh yeah. Actually, I’m just talking to you on behalf of my friend, Sandi.” He points behind himself towards a smiling blonde who’s looking at me like she wants to eat me. “She wants to know if you’re dating that red-haired girl because if not she’s one hundred percent going to ask you on a date. If that’s okay with you.”

  It’s so awkward, so childish, I almost want to scream with laughter. How has Liam managed to make some girl having the hots for me weird? It leaves me with only one answer. “Yeah, I’m sort of with Veronica, sorry.”

  Liam’s eyes light up as he nods. That makes me wonder if he likes this girl. If so, I need to teach this guy to not be a push over! Asking someone out for the girl they like isn’t something anyone wants to do.

  “Oh right, I’ll tell Sandi that then. Thanks, Jordan. I guess I’ll see you later on then.”

  I pat him on the back and walk off shaking my head. Today is weird… a lo
t about the whole college experience is pretty crazy, actually. It’s a bubble, nothing like real life, I want to enjoy every damn minute of it. But for now, I need to run away before things get odder, and I need to get to Veronica. She’s always normal, the one constant, the person who grounds me when everything else messes me up. I cannot wait to see her.

  I quickly spot her standing in our meeting place, leaning up against the wall with that gorgeous red hair of hers spilling down her back. She has dark trousers on and a bright green tee shirt which is really eye catching. I don’t think she realizes how everyone looks at her when they walk by. She probably believes herself still to be as invisible as she was in high school. I honestly am shocked at how I managed to miss her. Now that she’d become such a massive part of my world, it’s impossible to think of all the times I just walked past her…

  I don’t think I’d mind it if she were on my arm, I think with a smirk. She’s so beautiful, it’d be lovely.

  Almost as if she senses my looming presence, Veronica turns to face me and her face breaks out into an adorable smile. She always looks so pleased to see me, it tugs at each one of my heart strings.

  “Hey, Jordan,” she says softly to me. “You’re late. I was just about to abandon you.”

  She wouldn’t. I’ve been late before, much later than this, and she always remains. That’s another thing I like about her, she’s so reliable, I don’t ever have to worry about her letting me down.

  “Sorry about that, I got caught up with Liam. He was acting like a crazy person.” I roll my eyes dramatically. Oh, and he was trying to set me up with one of his mates so if he asks, we’re together.”

  She giggles and blushes brightly while tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Making her blush has become a secret habit of mine. I love to see her face flame like that, it’s adorable and makes my pulse rate speed up in a way it hasn’t ever done before. My whole body reacts in a crazy way to her.

  “Shall we go to dinner already?” I rub my stomach in a jokey manner. “I’m starving here.”

  We make our way to the college canteen which doesn’t exactly have the nicest food around, but it’s sustenance which is enough. While we walk, me and Veronica laugh loudly the whole way, sharing jokes and mock insults. I’ve even taken to calling her ‘rusty’ again every now and then. Luckily, she knows it’s just an affectionate, endearing term now. It was probably that before, but magnified by the horrible atmosphere of high school, it probably didn’t seem that way at all. I feel bad for ever saying anything mean at all.

  “So, if I’m your fake girlfriend, do you expect me to act that way in front of Liam?”

  The thought of her behaving like my partner makes me shiver violently. I’m sure she notices it but thankfully Veronica is much too cool to say anything about that. She breezes past it easily without hesitation.

  “Do I have to… hold your hand?” She takes it teasingly. “Or hug you?” She does that too, still ignoring me when I stiffen under the odd sensation of her hands around me. “Or kiss you?”

  As she lifts herself up onto her tiptoes, I suck in a shocked breath. My whole body becomes utterly consumed by the idea that she might actually press her lips up against mine. I should probably stop it, it seems nuts to take this step without talking about it first, but for some reason, I don’t want to. I just want to melt into it…

  But then she breaks the magic of the moment by pulling away and chuckling loudly. The laughter is a tinkling sound, it trickles all the way through my system and makes me feel wild. I join in, trying to sound carefree, but I don’t think I quite pull it off. There’s a real strain there as I can’t hide how much I wanted her to kiss me then.

  What is wrong with me? Have I lost the plot? I press my hand to my throbbing heartbeat. Stop it already!

  I make the decision to break my no date streak because obviously, it’s messing with my mind more than I thought. I assumed I was growing and moving forward, but if it’s drawing me into Veronica I need to stop. She’s my friend, I don’t really want to ruin that. Sex always destroys friendships, it’s an unwritten rule.

  “No, but seriously, what do you want me to do?”

  “Erm,” I rasp back, my throat still dry and gravelly from that ill-advised almost moment. “Just act like normal. I didn’t suggest that we were about to get married and I don’t think Liam is too bothered anyway. It’s only if he asks, then agree with the lie. He likes the girl he was asking out for me.” She gives me a look, which causes me to shake my head. I need to drag myself out of that situation, not further into it. “Told you it was weird.”

  “Yeah, it sounds it. Super weird. Okay, well I’ll just leave it unless he asks.”

  I walk a little behind Veronica, unable to stop my eyes from raking up and down her body. I might know that all of this is wrong, but my primal urges have completely taken control of me. It doesn’t help that Veronica is undeniably beautiful, and sexy as hell too. Now, with all these random thoughts circling my brain after that near miss, I can’t stop thinking about kissing her, licking her, running my hands all over that fit body of hers. I want to touch her everywhere, to taste her, to hear her little whimpers as I drive her wild. I want to see her head tipped back in desire, her red hair spilling down her back, brushing over her hot, fiery skin. I want to consume her in lust. I would love to know just how she looks at her most vulnerable, open moment.

  God, I need to get laid, I think as my cock reacts to those ideas. It’s getting pretty serious now. I lick my lips as I drag my eyes away from Veronica. If I’m not careful this could get crazy…

  3

  Veronica

  “I don’t know how you do it,” Rachel declares as she tosses her hands in the air. “It’s impossible, honestly.”

  “What? What are you talking about?” I flop my head onto my pillow and stare up at the ceiling in our room.

  “I’m talking about Jordan. Oh!” She makes a noise like she’s actually in pain. “He’s just so gorgeous. How do you spend so much time with him and not jump his bones? I would be all over him because he is just so handsome.”

  I smile, proud to have such a good-looking friend. Of course, to the rest of the world that’s exactly what he is. Someone I went to high school with who has now become my friend. Just this nice guy who I hang out with. But to me… to me he’s everything. Over the last few months, I’ve developed this delicious crush on him. There are feelings inside of me that flicker and simmer gorgeously every time he’s near me. The butterflies are wonderful, they have me flying higher than air, being near Jordan makes me giddy like a school girl… but then I leave his side and the lows crush me. I’m not always by his side and that gives him the chance to be with other people. I don’t know if he has been but I torture myself with the concept all the time. I hate thinking about it.

  I think the lows might well be harder to hide than the highs. I’m sure people must see it, especially Rachel.

  “I don’t know about that,” I murmur back. “I suppose so, I just don’t see him like that.”

  I don’t know why I insist on lying, I suppose it just makes life easier. If no one knows about the mini Jordan obsession brewing in my chest, then no one can make me uncomfortable when I’m near him. I like our friendship enough to want to hold onto to it. I don’t want to do anything to push him away. And he cannot know. Ever. If he finds out and the feelings aren’t reciprocated, which I guess she probably doesn’t, then it’ll be embarrassing.

  “How can you not see it? He’s delicious. I just want to lick him up.” She turns onto her side on the bed which prompts me to do the same. “I’d ask him out if I didn’t think there was something between you.”

  This is my cue to quash the idea completely. I need to tell her to go ahead, that if she wants to date him then she can. I don’t even think Rachel wants him really. This is obviously just her way of finding out the truth. Yet, even knowing all of that isn’t enough. The words get firmly stuck in my throat and I can’t get them out. />
  “What… what do you mean?” I stammer out instead. “There isn’t anything between us.”

  “Oh, sure, right.” Rachel rolls her eyes dramatically. “So, I guess you won’t be dating before the end of the year. I guarantee you’ll be his girlfriend before we leave here for the summer holidays. It’s in the cards.”

  The image she’s bringing to life forms in my brain, I can actually see me and Jordan being together, and it’s an image I like way too much. I yearn for it to become real. It actually gives me a blast of physical pain which makes me wince. It’s hard to hide when my feelings cause such visible reactions to him.

  “Hmmm, I don’t know. I don’t think he would want to be with someone like me, even if I wanted him.”

  Rachel rolls her eyes and laughs at me. “You really can’t see it, can you? He is in love with you.”

  I gobble those words up like they’re everything. I really hope it’s true. I don’t want to get carried away with my feelings, but how can I help it when my friend is encouraging me to think about it. They circle me, swallow me up, make me feel good, before I shove them from my brain completely. I can’t start down that road.

  “So, if you don’t have plans tonight, do you want to go out?” Rachel seamlessly changes the subject.

  I know if I say that I’m supposed to be meeting Jordan tonight the questions will fly again, so I lie. I’ll just have to try and work everyone into my night. “No, I have no plans. What did you have in mind?”

  “There’s a party in one of the other dorm rooms. I think it might be involving one of the fraternities, which could be fun, right? I know we aren’t into the who sorority thing, but it could be a cool change?”

  Discretely, I fire off a text to Jordan, asking if he’ll be willing to meet me at the party instead of hanging out just the two of us, and when I very rapidly get a positive reply, I agree with Rachel. “Sure, sounds good.”