Dom's bright blue eyes are expressing concern, a real one, and I could swear that it's not out of curiosity, more like he's genuinely interested in what I'm thinking about.
Should I tell him what’s bothering me? No, it's too personal, and we're not even friends. I can't share my personal life with him. It's like they say when you’re being arrested: "Anything you say might be used against you."
For a couple of seconds, we simply stare at each other. And then he lowers his gaze to my lips. That's when I realize that I’ve been biting my lower lip nervously all this time, debating whether I should answer his question or not.
I let go of my lip and immediately feel pain. I guess I was biting so hard that it is now swollen.
Dominic keeps looking at them. I lick my lips to ease the pain. And then he...
He licks his own lips! I can't believe my eyes. He's still looking at my mouth when he does it.
Oh, gosh, it's too hot in here. I feel like I can't breathe.
"Let's take a break and swim; it's too hot," he says hoarsely as if reading my mind and finally looks up into my eyes again.
My jaw literally drops after those words. Primarily because of how skillfully he seems to have read my mind. But also because of that casual look on his face: as if swimming during a lesson is a normal thing to do.
I open my mouth to say something but then close it again because I'm out of words.
"And I'll pay for that time as a lesson," he adds, and I see a hint of a smile on his face as if I have already agreed.
Is he trying to piss me off on purpose? Well, now I know for sure what to say.
"I haven't seen such impudence before," I snort indignantly, crossing my arms over my chest. "It's a lesson, Astor, not a date! Do you hear yourself?"
He chuckles with a mischievous satisfied smile on his face. "That's because we didn’t meet before this, baby."
I feel my cheeks and ears start to burn from his words.
"If you call mebabyone more time, our arrangement is over," I say, trying to sound calm, but it's evident that I'm irritated.
How could he think that he's allowed to call me that? I'm not one of his fans! I'm his tutor! And I'll never fall for thatbabything or those huge blue eyes, even if they glitter so mesmerizing in the sun!
Never!
"I'm sorry,teacher. You're right: That was absolutely inappropriate." He’s still smirking, emphasizing the wordteacher, obviously enjoying the situation. "But what can I do to get you to swim with me?"
"Nothing," I retort right away, shaking my head.
"Oh, come on, Serena, we're in LA. It's so hot that if we sit in the sun, even naked, we’d have a heart attack."
The wordnakedhits my head, but I try my best not to imagine Dominic's naked body next to me. And that's when I realize that I’ve closed my eyes, and I shake my head involuntarily, simply to get that picture out of my head.
"First of all, Astor"—I open my eyes immediately, looking at him sternly—"don't even dream that you will ever see me naked." I try to breathe, but it's getting harder every second. "And secondly, I get money for tutoring and not for accompanying you in whatever you want to do! Find someone else for that!"
I realize after I said it that I was almost yelling at him. I never yell. I don't know why this man brings up such emotions in me, ones I can't control. I lower my gaze back to my notebook with the notes forPride and Prejudice,another novel by Jane Austen that we’ve been discussing.
He stays silent for a couple of moments, simply staring at me. I try to ignore that gaze but lower my eyes after a couple of moments, as I always do.
I want him to leave. I need him to pass his exam so we can stop meeting. I can't handle his presence in my life.
"Why are you so annoyed with me?" he finally asks after a long pause, still staring. "Is it because of me personally, or do you hate all men in general?"
I take a deep breath before encouraging myself to look at him again.
"It's not because ofyou," I start. However, I'm not sure if I'm being honest. I have to admit that it's primarily because of him. "And it's not all men." I chuckle at how ridiculous it sounds. "It's because ofallthe rich guys who think they can do nothing and people like me will do anything for money."
"People like you?" he clarifies and raises an eyebrow, obviously confused by what I just said.