“Have a great first day at your new school, Miss Montgomery. I hope you make a lot of friends.”
I smiled at him and then slowly made my way toward the entrance of the massive brick building in front of me. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little overwhelmed by all the students walking around me. Seeing the guys dressed in their schoolboy uniforms was quite a sight for sore eyes. Some were more handsome than I expected.
Especially, the guy who was suddenly running into me as I opened the door to enter the school. My body collided with a rock-hard chest, knocking me backward. Unable to catch my footing fast enough, I almost stumbled onto the ground. If it wasn’t for his strong, sturdy arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me close to his torso, I would have fallen to the ground.
My heart sped up. This was the first time I’d ever had a guy this close to me before. I silently hoped he couldn’t feel my body’s natural response to him.
Embarrassed beyond belief, I acknowledged, “Thank you.”
This guy was tall, probably six-foot-one, maybe two.
When he let me go, I instantly felt the loss of his touch, and I resisted the urge to whimper in disappointment. Shaking away the daze, I peered up at him while he narrowed his eyes at me, looking me up and down with an expression I couldn’t read. He just stood there, all stealth-like, taking me in.
Smiling, I asked, “Can you point me in the right direction of the office?”
“Only if you tell me why you’re going there.”
I nervously chuckled. His voice was deep and throaty, stirring emotions I wasn’t expecting.
“I’m a new student.”
“Yeah, that much I gathered.”
"Right.” I nervously chuckled again. “I guess you’d know everyone at this school, huh?”
“Something like that.”
I politely smiled. “My name is Belle Montgom—”
“I know who you are.”
It didn’t surprise me he was aware of who I was. Most people in this town were.
Changing the subject, I added, “I’m supposed to meet Riley Harding in the office. She’s supposed to show me around the school and my new classes. My father said she was part of the welcome committee.”
“Well, you’re in luck, kitten. You’re standing right in front of him.”
Did he just call me kitten?
“But you’re a boy.”
He arched an eyebrow with an amused expression on his handsome face.
“I just meant”—I stupidly shook my head—“I thought you’d be a girl.”
“I hate to disappoint you, kitten.” He mischievously grinned. “But I’m all man.”
His smile was contagious. I couldn’t help but return the sentiment. We stood there for a few seconds, neither one of us saying a word. His inquisitive regard didn’t falter. Although his eyes didn’t move from my face, I still felt his stare on every inch of my body. So much so that I was the first to look away.
Bowing my head for a moment, I swept a strand of my hair behind my ear, pitifully trying to break the unexpected tension between us.
Unable to remain silent any longer, I questioned, “Where should we start the tour then?”
I never expected him to reply, “How about in my bed?”
My eyes widened as I jerked back. “Excuse me?”
He chuckled. “Oh, kitten, you should have seen your face. Are you always this entertaining?”