"Ouch!" I hiss out as I burn my hand on my dumb curling wand.

Yes.

I am taking more time dolling myself up today.

Sue me.

And, yes, I may have looked to see what class Ellis would be in and I struck gold because it's both.

There's a knock on my door and I pull my wand out and catch the last curl with my palm. Using my leg I kick it up over the handle and push my heel down to open it.

Heather walks in looking impressed with my flexibility. "Woo girl, you're going to make some man very happy in bed someday."

"Shut it," I laugh out and drop the now curled piece.

Heather looks at me with delighted suspicion as I put half my hair up. "Seriously you have so much hair, it's not fair."

"It's hard to manage," I mutter between the bobby pins I put in my mouth.

"Doesn't seem like it."

"Trust me," I say jamming a pin in. "I've been up since six."

"And why are we looking especially fine today?"

"No reason."

"Bull," She states. "Is this about the guy you told Tariq you're crushing on back at the party?"

I do a once-over of my makeup to make sure my eyeliner isn't smudging. I went for a cat-eye look today with pink coppery eyeshadow that makes my blue eyes pop. I leave my glasses in favor of contacts.

"So about that. I kind of made him up."

"Yeah, I figured."

"You did?"

Heather flicks some of her hair back looking at me with an all-knowing expression. "You wanted Tariq off your back. I get it."

"Gosh, he wouldn't stop pestering me about it."

She grins from ear to ear. "Tariq loves teasing people, especially you. You get all cute and ruffled, like a tiny fluffy puppy."

"I do not!"

She laughs. "Suuure. So back on topic. Who's the lucky guy? Tariq?"

I snort. "Gosh no."

Heather tilts her head. "You can tell me, you know... if you like him. No judgment. I get it. He's sexy as hell. And girl, there are times you look at that half Arab, half Italian feast of a man with big blue bedroom eyes."

I roll my eyes. "Gosh, he's accused me of that too, so refrain from telling him that. His ego's already big enough."

"You're good for him."

My fingers situate my tucked-in shirt making sure it looks perfect. "Does this top look okay?" I ask, needing to change the subject.

I can't hear anything that puts Tariq and me into the same subject line. Because, yes, I am attracted to him and don't want to think about it.

At all.

"Um, most definitely," Heather replies, getting up and examining my wardrobe choice. "The stripes make your boobs look huge and the black skirt and tights give you a sexy look. I don't know how you pull it off but you make conservative hot."

"Thanks." I take the compliment because I don't get that often, if at all.

"Are you going for heels?"

I shake my head. "No, just black flats."

She nods. "Who's the guy then?"

I search through my lipsticks to find my favorite one. "His name's Ellis. I met him last night."

I tell her everything about last night all while waving my lipstick in my hand like a wand.

"He's British! Oh, I have to hear his sexy accent. That goes right to my lady bits."

"Heather!" I laugh out turning back to the mirror and start applying my lipstick.

"What?" She asks innocently. "I am not ashamed to talk about what affects my lady parts. It's very normal."

It's quiet while I slowly yet strategically put on my lipstick, watching the red slide over my pink mouth. My upper lip is uneven with one side higher than the other, but I never try to make the other side look like it. I weirdly like it that way.

"Tariq would be having a major pants tent right now if he saw you doing this."

Luckily, I finished, or else I would've completely ruined my lips. "Oh my gosh! Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true," she states matter of factly. "I've been friends with him since freshman year. Any time the guys would discuss hot things girls do that turn them on, he would always say he loved watching girls put on their lipstick."

"Noted. Never put lipstick on in front of Tariq."

"So you're going to reapply tonight while you're at his house?"

My head falls back as I whine out, "What is with your obsession about me and him?"

Heather stands up walking toward the door. "Because it's fun and I think there's something there and I'm shipping it. Are we still doing lunch?"

"There's nothing to ship and yes we're on for lunch."

She glances over and I look to where her eyes landed then flush. "Don't wear it today. If you're seriously interested in this guy, don't meet up with him sporting Tariq's jacket."

***

Like an idiot, I didn't take Heather's advice. I should've and my brain told me too, but I didn't. When I went to leave in one of my own jackets it felt wrong. So here I am sitting in my first class of the day, sliding Tariq's jacket on the back of my seat. I pray Ellis is oblivious to it and has no clue as to who Tariq is.

I mean he did just get here so it's possible.

Plopping into my seat I take out my laptop and power it up. Someone slides into the seat next to me. "Good morning, Elodie."

My head snaps over to Ellis as he pushes a steaming cup of coffee over to me. "I don't know how you take it, so I did a touch of milk and sugar."

"Oh, oh my goodness thank you."

I'm a serious cream and sugar kind of girl, but I'll still happily drink it. Especially since a very sexy man bought it for me.

"You look beautiful."

Whoo! I'm getting hot and it's not from the coffee. "Thank you."

I blow the steam away to take a sip and it's the perfect temperature not hot but a nice warm. A little too strong, but that's okay. As Ellis pulls out his computer I get to work, pulling up all the notes I've taken so far.

"What's your email so I can send you the notes from the week you missed?"

His eyes widen and he flashes a gorgeous smile. "Seriously?!"

"Of course, it's a thank you for the coffee."

"Bumping into you is proving to be the best thing that's happened to me since coming here. That'd be great."

He gives me his email and I make a folder then send it over to him.

"Did you really sing a song you just made up about sending me an email?" He looks at me with amusement.

I have never been good at this.

"Geesh!" I smile sheepishly. "Did I sing it out loud?"

What am I saying?

I know I did.

"You are utterly adorable."

I flush a thousand shades. My ex never called me that, especially when I had my random outbursts of singing. It freaked him out.

"So, we're having our coffee before class," Ellis says.

I smirk while pursing my lips happily. "So we are."

He takes a sip of his and keeps his eyes focused up front where the prof is. "I was thinking, maybe we could grab some lunch after our next class."

I could cancel on Heather. She wouldn't mind but I don't like doing that. "I would, really, but I have plans with my friend, maybe another time?"

And maybe the next time I won't be as nervous?

"You're going to be a tough one aren't you?" he asks.

I'm caught off guard and try to say something but opt for another sip of my coffee. I keep the lid pressed against my bottom lip blowing even though it's at the warm stage and not even a little hot anymore. The prof leaves, saying he'll be back because he forgot something at his office.

I fidget in my seat, wondering what to say.

Gosh, I suck at flirting

I start bouncing the coffee lid against my lip as I think of some kind of conversation, while Ellis looks over the notes I sent to him.

"Blue!"

I jump at the feel of Tariq's lips against my ear and spill my coffee all over my shirt and skirt.

"Tariq!" I screech as I pull my top off my chest while I stand.

"Oh crap, sorry! I didn't know you were drinking coffee. Are you alright? You didn't get burnt did you."

"No."

He moves around me and takes off his navy blue flannel, placing it on the table behind me then rips his white undershirt off like it's no big deal, making all the girls gasp.

"What are you doing?"

He picks up my coffee cup that still has some left in it then wipes up what's on the floor with his shirt. My eyes watch the muscles in his back flex as he cleans up the mess at my feet.

Why does every inch of him have to be so beautiful?

"Why didn't you use your other shirt?" I practically shout and I swear I hear a random girl hiss shut up.

"Don't want to ruin that one. Don't care about this thing I got from Walmart."

My nose twitches. "You sure it's not to show off?"

He looks up smirking. "Aw, you like my bod, Blue?"

"Why are you even here?" I ask through clenched teeth.

My blood roars, heating my whole face as he stands back up looking right at the stain on my chest. He looks over at Ellis, who's looking between us with confusion written all over his face. "Uh, who's, Blue?"

"She is." Tariq's gaze lands back on me with a wink. "I'm the only one who can call her that though." As Tariq holds his hand out to Ellis, I get a bad premonition. "Names Tariq."

"Ellis."

"Nice to meet you, man."

Tariq turns back to me as my mouth tries to say something but my brain is coming up empty. An evil glint flashes in his dark eyes and he leans into me, his naked chest way too close, but his face even closer.

"Sorry, babe. Didn't mean to scare you, only wanted to say hi."

My blood goes from flaming hot to ice cold then my jaw sets because now I'm pissed. "Don't," I whisper deadly to him.

He leans in even closer, making my heart thunder hard against my chest as he grabs his button-down from behind me.

"He the guy?" he quietly asks into my ear.

I have no idea what he's talking about until it dawns on me. I swallow then do the stupid thing and nod.

Idiot!

My throat closes up as Tariq's mouth touches the side of my neck and his scruff tickles my skin. My body blazes to life as he gives one soft kiss and the curve of his mouth imprints on my skin. He nibbles at me then sucks, making me bite down on my lip to stop the moan that wants to come out. I take in a shaky breath and my chest swells against him as he licks it.

"Seems too boring for you," he whispers then moves away putting his shirt back on buttoning it up with the smuggest look on his dumb gorgeous face.

I don't care about the audience as I seeth out, "You are so going to regret that."

He steps right back into me, lifting my chin up. "Do your worst, Blue."

He slides his big hand in my hair until he's clutching the back of my neck and his lips connect with the corner of my mouth where I have a tiny beauty mark. That's when the strangest unfurling unfolds in me. It starts at that tiny corner of my mouth and pulses down my body in rippling waves of intense heat that hits me right in... as Heather calls it, my lady bits.

It's too much. I feel too much and am so overwhelmed that when he pulls away, I stumble and stare at him in complete shock.

My body immediately misses the contact and I realize that that unfurling was pleasure. Intense all-consuming pleasure that wreaked havoc inside my body and left nothing but a need that I'm way too scared of having fulfilled.

Holy mother of God!

Tariq stares hard at me with those intense dark eyes of his then gives a cheeky smile. "Sorry babe, you know lipstick is a thing of mine. And hey man," he turns to Ellis who's looking like a puppy that hadn't been picked by a potential owner. Tariq picks up my leftover coffee while taking a sip. "Thanks for getting my girl some coffee this morning even though she takes it with a crap ton of cream and sugar. Either way, she needed it." He turns and winks at me. "We had a long night."

OH MY GOSH, I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!!!!

He turns walking away, saying hi to a couple of people who all look at me with bug eyes. I don't know what to do. He literally just made everyone believe we had...

My face burns at the thought. "We were working on a paper!" I sloppily bark out. "That's it! Nothing more!"

Tariq looks back with furrowed brows. "Of course, bestie. What else could I have possibly meant?"

I literally choke on nothing.

"Oh! And babe." He rubs his chin looking so proud of himself as he points behind me. "As much as I love the sight and lacy number, I would put that on and zip up."

My arms cover my white and blue striped shirt and spin on my heel, practically tripping over myself as I grip the jacket and cover myself by zipping it up.

"That's better. See you tonight." He smirks and goes to leave, passing my professor as he comes in. "Loving the bowtie, my man."

"Can't wait to see you back on the ice, Araneo," my prof says in return with a big smile on his face.

Seriously, does everyone love this guy?

I fall into my chair and cover my face as everyone stares at me. I don't even know what to say to Ellis at this point. How do I explain all the stuff that happened?

Hey, don't take him seriously. Tariq was only joking?!

He called me bestie, so we're obviously just friends.

Yeah, I'd look pathetic.

I don't even get that chance because the professor starts his lecture totally oblivious to what occurred in his lecture hall. I stare at my computer screen as my hand holds up my embarrassed face. I don't take a single note as everyone else types away on their computers.

There's another reason for my hand holding my heated angry face. I put it down when I realized what I had been doing. I had been slightly rubbing the beauty mark Tariq had kissed with my pinky.

I start tapping my nails on the table in a weird rhythm, plotting my vengeance.

It will be swift.

It will be painful.

And it will be epic.

Well, well, well... Tariq what exactly are you up to? Thoughts on Ellis?

Elodie is fuming that's for sure! Does anyone want to guess how she's going to get her revenge? It's coming in a couple of chapters :)

The next one is in Tariq's POV so if you all want to see what was going on in his head, just click that star button and I'll do my best to update tomorrow :)

Much Love,

~ LivingRed