I raised my brows. “I always give priority to existing students before scheduling new ones.” And by the look of this next module, he’d need a lot of help. I knew now where his strengths and weaknesses were. My gut twinged. Andmyweakness was him.
“Good. Then maybe we could set up a regular schedule. How about two study nights per week, and one night for hanging out?” A slow grin curled his lips. “I’d still like to be your friend.”
It seemed like a lot for a guy with football practice and games, but he knew his schedule best. “Sure.” I focused on the laptop. “Let’s tackle this now, and after we can arrange future sessions.”
What hadI gotten myself into? For the last hour, I’d helped him with the new material, but every time he’d touched me, it had ignited a fire inside me. I’d kept my distance, but it had been the most intense study session I’d ever had.
He closed his laptop and slipped it inside his backpack. “So, let’s plan study sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays nights and then, depending on my travel schedule, we hang out on aweekend or during the week?” Setting his hands on his muscled thighs, he studied me.
“I’ll pencil you in for those days.” I opened my tutoring calendar and added the days in. Why was he so adamant about this?
He zipped his backpack and leaned in close. “I want to be sure we have time together. I think…” He inhaled deeply, his gaze dipping. “I think you’ll come around, eventually. I’ll wait for you.”
“Come around?” He wasn’t giving up on the idea that we could be together. Warmth crept through my heart. I’d never had anyone care about me like this. Okay, maybe Evan, but he was only a friend.
“Yep. It’ll happen. And when it does, I’ll be there.” He rose and ambled toward my door. “See me out?”
“Of course.” I followed him, stopped as I reached his side, and then opened my door, an ache ghosting across my chest. What would have happened if I’d surrendered? Would he have stayed the night? I’d never slept with someone in my bed before.
He turned to me, his gaze focused on my mouth before darting to my eyes. Cupping my cheek, he said, “I have an away game this weekend and since we met tonight for studying, we don’t need to meet tomorrow. Would you keep Wednesday night open for me? We could hang out on Mill Avenue, go have dinner somewhere…” He sank his teeth into his lower lip. “As friends.”
I should say no. But fuck if I could. “Yeah, sure. We’ll study again on Thursday.” So, I’d basically see him most of the week? I shifted my stance as heat burned low in my belly. I wanted him again already. “We’ll work out a time for Wednesday later. I’ll need to see when my new students can meet.”
“Okay. Have a good night, Colton. See you soon.” As his chest heaved with a deep inhale, he walked out the door and down the steps.
After shutting the door, I rested my back against it, closingmy eyes. I was making a grave mistake. I should have dismissed him and not agreed to this. What was wrong with me?
My phone buzzed on the coffee table.
Shit, I had to handle the new students Sara had sent. I strode to my phone and grabbed it, reading a text from her.
Sara
Can I call you? Are you free?
I was already so confused. I didn’t feel like speaking with her. But I should. I typed back.
Colton
Yes, I’m free. Travis just left.
I winced. Why did that matter? I should exercise caution revealing when he was here. I couldn’t place my finger on why, but my gut said so.
My phone hummed with a call from Sara, and I answered it. “Hello?”
“Hey, how many new students do you have now?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t looked.” I sat on my couch. Maybe I’d find out why she’d done this. “I was just about to.”
“Oh…well, you’ll have time for them, right?” She chuckled. “And still have time to see me? I mean, I got you all this new business.”
I pursed my lips. Did she mean to tutor with me again? “Do you want to set up a tutoring session with me?”
“No, I meant a time for our next date, silly.” She tutted. “Sometimes I think you’re a little clueless.”
With a rushed exhale, I pinched the bridge of my nose. But she might have given me grounds not to see her again. “I…listen, Sara, I’ll need to go through these emails and see what my week looks like.”
“Okay, but I’m helping you out here. What are you doing for Halloween? It’s this Friday.”