After a lot of back and forth with me protesting and Tariq not listening to a word, a burger with a large order of fries sits in front of me as does my copy of The Bell Jar.

All paid for.

By Tariq.

Even my book.

We're in the den that's connected to the dining commons, but higher up. The cafeteria is dark and closed off, which is why we had to go to the den to get some food. It's good. Burgers, hot dogs, pizza, fries. Fast food pretty much. It's packed with students needing some late-night munchies.

Tariq sits across from me flipping through the book. "We have to read the first six chapters and since my little brother decided to drop out, I figured we could study together."

Heather's earlier statement comes to mind, and I shake it off knowing it's not true. "I'm not great at English just a forewarning."

Tariq looks up from the book with his face comically acting shocked. "And here I thought with your whole ensemble and cute glasses you were a lit whiz."

"Didn't your brother mention you were a genius or something?"

Tariq clicks his tongue with a smile on his face. "Anyone is a genius compared to Rasheed. No offense to my little brother but he's not the brightest, partially because he doesn't try and also only cares about hockey."

"So, he plays hockey too?"

Tariq's eyes darken a little. "Yeah. He has the potential to go pro, but we'll see."

"Better than you?"

He tenses a little. "Could be."

I switch the subject. "This book shouldn't be too bad. Not my preferred source of entertainment, but I've heard it's good."

"You do read then?"

I give a deadpan look. "I love reading but not books like this."

He leans back propping his arm up on the booth and my traitorous eyes trace the bulging muscles. "Let me guess." He pretends he's thinking and snaps his fingers, pointing at me. "Romance novels."

My cheeks redden. "Is Rasheed a senior too? You guys could be twins."

Tariq grins knowing he got his answer. "He's a sophomore like you." He shifts and puts his arms on the table staring at me with those mischievous, all-consuming eyes of his. "So, what's the type of guy that gets you all flustered and hot in your little romance novels."

"Excuse me?" I sing out my whole body burning.

"You don't have to tell me."

I try to relax at that.

"Although, I'm really curious."

And here comes the fire again.

"Hey, Tariq!" A girl shouts, causing the sexy beast to turn around. Since we've sat down girl after girl has either come over, called out to him, or sat down with us. He starts talking to the group of rabid females that are waiting in line as I unwrap my burger and take a bite. I grab a napkin dabbing at some ketchup on the side of my mouth.

When he finally turns back around, he's shaking his head. "Would my place be okay from now on?"

I stiffen at that.

Not that I don't want to go to his place, but it seems really nerve-wracking since he lives with some of his teammates. "What about the library?"

Tariq tilts his head at me and looks around. "If you've noticed, it's hard to get anything done when we're out in public."

"We could get a room there."

He pops a fry in his mouth. "That's nearly impossible."

"But you seem pretty popular. You don't think you could pull a few strings? Flirt with one of the assistants?" I ask, gripping my Styrofoam cup and taking a sip of my sprite.

His smile is slow and purposeful. "So, you admit it. You think I'm sexy."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because you want me to use my God-given gifts," he says stretching his body back showcasing his well-cut physique, "to woo a girl into giving me what I want."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, yes. You are handsome, but not my type. And yes, maybe you can use that arrogant jock charm on another woman to get us a private room so we aren't disturbed."

"No can-do, Blue. Even with my grade A sex appeal, it's first come first serve and people who study in those rooms are hardcore about it. They won't bend for anyone." He leans in, his arm brushing my fingers that stay put around my cup. My fingers twitch and something painful yet pleasing shoots through them. His dark eyes are shine in the dim lighting as he stares me down with a smirk, whispering almost seductively, "Not even me."

I nod and his eyes search mine, knowing I'm still not yet convinced.

"Elodie Mitchell!" He blurts out in a loud voice, causing people to look over at us as he throws his hand up like he's a witness in a courtroom about to be cross-examined. "I do hereby solemnly swear that I will be nothing but a gentleman and not lay a single finger on you." He folds his arms in front of him, smiling at me. "Believe it or not, I see you as a good friend and I plan on keeping it that way."

He winks and takes a sip of his soda then is called out to again.

Well, I've been subtly rejected.

Not surprising since I can't even compete with the women that flock around him.Speaking of, a pretty blonde cutely bounces over and sits right next to him.

"You never called me." Tariq looks completely at ease as she presses herself into him not leaving any room.

I tune them out and when I sip my soda, I conveniently realize I'm out. I hold it up and point to the drinking station not wanting to interrupt their conversation.

Getting up, I head over to fill it up, and once I'm done, I turn to find Kyle right behind me. Jumping, I put a hand over my chest, almost spilling my soda all over him.

"Woah!" He laughs. "I don't want another repeat thanks. Any chance I'm going to get an apology for that?"

I jerk back a little. "Excuse me?" It's not like I was the one who did that.

"Your friend threw her gross smoothie on me," Kyle says, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You deserved it," I answered hotly. Usually during these moments I'd mumble a quick sorry and dart off, but Heather has been a constant for me this week and I'm going to have her back no matter what.

Even if she robs a bank.

"How would you know? You have no idea what we were talking about. I was trying to be a good guy and forewarn you."

"Forewarn her about what?"

Kyle stiffens and I look over to Tariq standing not far from us with the pretty blonde next to him.

"Nothing," Kyle quickly retorts, turning around to join his friends over at a table.

My eyes go back to Tariq who's staring at Kyle's retreating form. His eyes slide to mine, and he unlatches the girl from him.

"What'd he try to forewarn you about?"

The girl bounces on her heels, trying to get his attention back to her. "Tariq why don't we go—"

"Sorry, Gina but Blue and I have some work to do and a conversation to have. I'll call you later."

She pouts but smiles right after. "You better," she says, pointing at him.

From the way her eyes assess me, she's not even a little worried. She saunters away but Tariq doesn't look at her swaying hips but straight at me.

I step over to him and tilt my head up making my bangs part in the middle. "He forewarned me about you. He started saying something about rumors then Heather threw her smoothie in his face."

Tariq's body tenses and his nostrils flare. "What rumors?"

I don't like how puffy the spot between his brows is, so I stretch to my tiptoes and poke it. "He didn't say, but I wouldn't listen to them anyway." I smile up at him adjusting my glasses as the heels of my flats touch the ground again. "I don't believe everything I hear, and I prefer it from my friend's mouth."

His lips twitch at that. "So, you admit to being friends?"

Something in me hurts but I put a smile on anyways. "Friends, but not best. Heather's beating you on that note."

"You can have more than one," he says with a beautiful bold, quirked brow.

"Not how I role, Araneo."

We sit back down, and Tariq puts his elbows on the table watching me with those intimidating eyes. "My place from now on? I'd rather not have to keep shooing the ladies away."

"Shooing? Really?"

He grins, lacing his hands together and puts them in front of his mouth. "Says the girl who used the words bravado the other day?"

I point my soda at the girl from earlier. "You going to call her this time?"

Friends can ask this type of stuff, right?

"No, I don't do desperate."

"She was cute! How was she desperate?"

He cocks a brow. "She was bouncing."

"So?" I ask, holding up my palms. "She's the cute bouncy type."

"No. More like the bouncing type that does it so I will look at her rack."

I choke on my sprite. "Oh my gosh! Are you always this blunt?"

"Yep," he says, sitting back.

My eyes go to the part of his arm where there's an obvious phone number written down but it's rubbing off and now nothing but a faded memory. "What about that girl's?"

He looks at the spot I pointed to, and his eyes go back and forth as if trying to recall her face in his mind. "I don't remember."

I gasp out a laugh. "Can you be any more of a player?"

He knocks on the table and points at me. "Ah! Annie! No, another desperate one."

"Is every girl desperate in your eyes."

"The ones who are like the two we've been talking about. Yes."

Subject change. "Um, when do you want me over?"

Both his brows raise. "You agree to it?

I lift a shoulder. "Sure, but I don't really want to walk through a house filled with jocks. I'm worried about what I might see."

"As you should be." He sips his soda and points his straw at me, swallowing. "I have an egress window you can come through there."

"You live in the basement?" I ask. "Weren't you the captain?"

He eats his last fry then wipes his hands free of the salt. "Still technically am. It's an in-law suite. You'll be surprised at how nice it is. Also private, so we won't be disturbed except for the occasional thundering music or guys screaming at the tv while playing video games."

"Sounds good."

Tariq opens up the book again. "Okay, let's talk about The Bell Jar."

I did it! Double update! So Tariq and Elodie are study buddies! I wonder how their first study session is going to go? If you'd like to find out, tell me in the comments and hit that little star button :)

I know the progression is a little slow, but I promise the build-up is worth it ;) Thank you all for reading and I hope you're enjoying Tariq and Elodie!

~LivingRed