gather my things as quickly as possible when class dismisses and head for the back of the room. The rest of the group is in stampede mode going forward, though, and I get caught up in them like a salmon trying to swim upstream.
I turn around like a tornado, trying to fight the momentum of the crowd, which means, unfortunately, every third spin or so, I get a look at Caplin’s smiling face.
He’s not even trying to get to me—and hell, maybe it’s conceited of me to think his little library story is actually true. I mean, what if he just happened to be here, happened to notice me, and then decided to spin his tale on the fly?
If he really is the top corporate lawyer in the country, that kind of coincidence certainly seems more plausible than the alternative—him going to insane lengths to actually track me down.
Reality fully considered, I stop trying so hard to get away and step into one of the rows and away from the chaos. Girls fawn all over him, and the guys look ready to dive into an all-out bro-huddle. I don’t know where Caplin Hawkins gets his magnetism, but apparently, it doesn’t discriminate based on gender.
When a path finally opens up to the back of the room again, I make another attempt, sliding out in front of a girl who’s definitely not wearing a bra, and make my way up the stairs and out the door.
I pull on my jean jacket and lift the fall of my hair out of the collar before securing my books in my bag, zipping it up, and hoisting it up onto my shoulder.
When I shove out the main door of the building, the cooler fall air feels good on my overheated skin.
Headphones in place, I start my trek toward home. A fourteen-block journey with a ten-flight stair chaser at the end.
But I’m only a half a block into it when I feel the pressure of a hand on my shoulder.
I turn quickly, defensive hands up and at the ready.
And there he is.
Caplin fucking Hawkins with his face curled into a smile, standing directly in front of me.
“Oh geez,” I mutter. “It’s just you.”
His smile fucking grows like it’s on steroids. “You know, I’m used to getting a little bit of a different greeting.”
“From people you’ve stalked?” I raise a defiant brow. “Because I’d like to have a chat with them if that’s the case.”
“You say stalking so formally. It’s not like I hid outside in your bushes. I tracked you down. That’s it.”
My throat constricts. “Jesus. So, you really did all that stuff? That story is true?”
“You’re standing in front of me, aren’t you?” He shrugs, like he’s not completely in-fucking-sane. Like this is completely normal practice. “Although, I have to say, it was only an assumption that you would be in Hullum’s lecture today. There were way too many considerations to know for sure.”
Jesus. The confidence of this guy is mind-blowing.
“I thought you just made up that story for shock value…or a point or something. I didn’t think someone with your pedigree would actually go to this much trouble to track me down.”
“I’m a maker of opportunity, Ruby.”
“Ah, right,” I snort. “I guess you would know my name now.”
“It’s cute,” he says. “I like it. It suits you.” His eyes move to the strap of my bag before meeting my gaze again. “As does the bag. Tell your dog I said hi,” he reads the words etched above the front pocket and grins. “Also cute.”
I roll my eyes. The chicks in my class might fall for his cocky swagger, but I’ll be damned if I’ll let myself be included in that. “Look, I’m on my way home after a long day. Is there something specific you wanted from me?”
“Want to play naughty professor and frisky student?”
I hate that I actually snort at that question. I should be completely disgusted, but the charm on this guy. It’s like witchcraft or something. “Pretty sure that’s hiiighly inappropriate.”
He quirks an amused brow. “Handsy mailman and flirty housewife?”
I shake my head, and he feigns a frown. The bastard looks so sad, you’d think he just got the news that his puppy died. But even that sadness doesn’t stop him from tossing out one more.
“Dirty cop and desperate criminal?”
“You know, I see where you’re going with these, and I don’t think any of them are going to work. Actually,” I add, “I’m certain none of them will work.”