“Here, I got you some breakfast.”
I shove the plate into his chest and bolt for the door.
As soon as I’m outside, I feel stupid. I’ve been ridiculous. I’ve acted like a little child. In a few hours—or days—I’m going to cringe remembering how I ran away from a man because I saw him masturbating and was too scared to face him.
Right now, though, I just need to get away before I do something even worse. Something even more humiliating. Like getting on my knees and begging him to fuck me.
I stride back to the main building, dash through the entrance and head at full tilt down the hall heading to my room before anything else bad happens. But just as I turn the corner, someone’s coming the opposite way.
I slam straight into a hard chest.
“Whoa.” A familiar, gentle voice. Strong hands grip my shoulders, steadying me. “Are you okay?”
Seriously. Of all the people I could’ve run into, it had to be Reid. The last thing I need is to bump into him, making everything worse.
“I’m fine,” I bite out, my heart racing wildly.
“Are you sure?” he asks, his voice calm, steady, like a slow-moving river. I hate how much it soothes me. He tips my chin up. “Breathe, Sierra. You’re fine. Just calm down, alright?”
He thinks I’m having a panic attack. God, if it weren’t so pathetic, so humiliating, it would be funny.
Though honestly, it does feel a bit like one. My head’s spinning, my chest tight. Breathing might actually help. I go along with it because it’s easier than explaining the truth—that I just watched another man get himself off and now I’m so embarrassed and turned on I need to get to my room immediately.
“Do you want to talk to someone?” he asks. “Not me, obviously, but we have qualified therapists here.”
“No, thanks. Really, I’m fine.” I step back, breaking his hold. “I just needed a minute. Now, if you’ll excuse me?—”
“There you are,” another voice cuts in, and I groan internally.
Luke approaches from the dining hall, all easy smiles, though his gaze flicks between Reid and me with curiosity. “Been looking for you both. Breakfast is ready, Sierra, and Ashley wants you, Reid.”
I stiffen. What does she want with him? But Reid only sighs.
“Where is she?”
“Dining hall.”
He nods, then looks back at me. “There’s no shame in talking about things that bother you. Even just to get them off your chest.”
“I’m good, seriously.” I say shortly. Doing my very best to pull myself together and act normal. He gives me a regretful look before heading off.
“What’s up?” Luke asks, lingering. “What do you need to talk to someone about?”
Oh, just my raging, inconvenient libido.
“Nothing,” I say.
He leans closer, voice dropping. “One of these days, I’m going to get inside your head and drag all those secrets out of you.”
“You couldn’t handle my secrets,” I shoot back, meeting his gaze.
“Try me.”
“Not a chance.” I walk off, his laughter trailing behind me.
We head into the dining hall. Jus as before, everything looks and smells incredible, but I can’t focus on the food. I eat mechanically while conversation flows around me, barely registering a word.
All I can think about is Talon. What I saw him doing. What it did to me.