breath, hating that she was right. I couldn’t let my feelings about him affect my grade in class. I could show up, watch the movies, and then write the paper without barely even having to talk to him.
Two hours later, I passed through the front door of the media room, scanning the dark room for Chase. He’d selected the same cubicle we sat in last time. I slipped into the empty seat beside him, and he jumped when he saw me.
“Hey,” he said.
I removed my bag from my back and placed it on the floor.
“I already got the two movies,” he said.
“Let me guess, the shortest ones?”
He shook his head. “Longest.”
I heaved a deep breath, as two thoughts weighed on my mind. One, why did he want to spend time with me? And, two, what psychological issues did he suffer from? “I don’t think I can make it through two movies tonight.”
He shrugged. “I’m free tomorrow night if you are.”
Ignoring his offer, I pulled our assignment sheet out of my bag, making sure I knew what the requirements were. It took no time for the woodsy scent of his cologne to drift toward me, working its way into my breaths. Why was it that hot guys always smelled good? Was it an unspoken requirement or something?
Chase switched on the old black and white movie, and I began taking notes. As the movie played, I sensed Chase moving closer to me. Eventually, his arm rested against mine. Oh, no you don’t. I shifted my arm away.
When he realized I was keeping my distance, his hand landed on my arm. I pulled my arm free of his grasp. “Cut it out.”
“What?”
“You know what.” I continued taking notes, and he stayed away from me for the remainder of the movie. When the credits rolled, I packed up without a word and walked out.
“Sophia,” he called.
But I kept walking, knowing he had to return the movies to the counter and pack up. That gave me a head start. I hurried through the deserted floor toward the elevator, pressing the button and impatiently waiting for it to arrive.
I heard footsteps behind me and realized I’d failed to elude him.
“What are you doing?” Chase asked, his hands gripping the straps on his backpack.
“You know what I’m doing.”
He released one of his straps and slipped his hand into mine.
My eyes shot down to where his big hand was linked with mine. I clenched my teeth. “Let go.”
He shook his head as I tried releasing my hand.
“So, it’s been you all along?” I said.
“What?”
“The one I need to be careful of.”
He scoffed, before leading me away from the elevator.
“What the hell are you doing?” I asked, trying to resist him but he was too strong.
He said nothing.
My eyes shot around. There was no one around to help me if I screamed. I’d seen enough movies to know you never go to a second location with your kidnapper.
He moved us through the high shelves filled with old books until we were in a deserted corner of the library.
My heartbeat thrashed as he backed me into a wall, my backpack softening the hard wall behind me. His hands landed on the wall above me and he kept me still with the weight of his body.
“You are the most infuriating girl I’ve ever met,” he said, his blue eyes staring into mine.
As nervous as I felt, I wouldn’t let him see my fear. “Then let me go and you never have to see me again.”
“Oh, I wish it were that simple.”
I swallowed around the lump that had shot to my throat.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, Soph.”
My eyes widened.
“And it’s driving me fucking crazy.”
I said nothing, unable to peel my eyes away from his. How had he gone from kidnapping me to confessing his feelings for me?
“And the fact that Chantel showed up at my place Sunday night pissed me the hell off because I knew she’d make it known before I had a chance to explain to you.”
“You have nothing to explain.”
“I sent her away. I’m guessing she didn’t tell you that.”
I blinked, not knowing what to make of it. Who was lying? Chantel or Chase? “It doesn’t matter. You and me, we’re nothing to each other.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out.
He shifted his hips so his very pronounced erection pressed against me. “I am perpetually hard whenever you’re around. You invade my thoughts no matter what I’m doing. And, I keep