“Yes, I get what you’re saying,” she agreed.

“Then get your sweet ass into that chair so we can get some studying done before I take you to dinner,” I ordered, pointing at a chair at the end of the table.

Aubrey chuckled when I sat down at the other end of the table, as far away from her as possible.

“Something funny?” I asked.

“You usually sit next to me,” she pointed out.

“That was before I got a taste of you. If I sit over there tonight, then neither of us is going to get anything done. You’ve got another quiz coming up next week, so that’s not an option,” I explained.

Aubrey flashed me a sassy grin before she opened her notebook and began studying. I adjusted myself so I’d be a little more comfortable and tried to get some of my own work done too, but with the boner from hell in my pants, I didn’t think I was going to get a lot done before we left. That was okay, though, because I felt like I could do just about anything knowing that Aubrey was mine tonight. And after that kiss, I needed more time with her to see where this thing would take us. I might have resisted this thing between us because I’d let fear rule my decisions, but there was no turning back for me now.

chapter 5

aubrey

I tried to concentrate as hard as I could on the numbers swimming on the notebook in front of me, but it was just impossible. Not with Luka sitting next to me. Luka, who had just asked me out on a date, told me I couldn’t pay him to be my tutor, and kissed me. I had not seen that one coming at all. This night was turning out way better than I had ever imagined.

I glanced up when I heard Luka slam his book shut.

“You done?” he growled.

Since only about fifteen minutes had passed, I was pretty sure he knew damn well that I wasn’t finished with my studying. But I figured what the hell because I wasn’t going to be able to finish it anyway.

“Yeah, I’m done.”

“Thank fuck,” he muttered under his breath as he shoved his stuff into his backpack and started to gather my books up next.

I grabbed my books from him and put them into my bag. “All set,” I said as I finished.

“Let’s go,” he commanded as he picked up both our bags and held the door open for me.

I couldn’t hold in the smile that escaped as I walked past him and he grabbed my hand. He practically dragged me out of the library to his car.

“What about my car?” I asked as I climbed in.

“I’ll bring you back here to pick it up tonight.”

“Works for me.”

“It better work for you, ‘cause that’s the plan,” he said with a smirk on his face before closing the door.

“Bossy,” I mumbled, not entirely certain how I felt about him taking charge like this after waiting so long for him to make a move of any kind. It was a little confusing since it felt like he’d moved from cold to hot so quickly. I wasn’t sure what to think about that and what it might mean.

Luka climbed in and gave me a long look before starting the car. “How hungry are you?”

I hadn’t really eaten much today since I’d picked at my food during lunch with Lexi. In fact, I’d found it hard to eat a lot on any of the days when I knew I was going to see Luka because of the butterflies that wreaked havoc on my stomach. My crush on him was probably the best diet plan in the world. But oddly enough, now that I found myself going on a date with him, they had settled down quite a bit.

“I could eat.”

“Do you like to try new things?” he asked.

I perked up at the question. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?”

Luka chuckled at my response. “I meant are you adventurous when it comes to food? Or do you prefer the same old, same old?”

“There aren’t too many places around here that I haven’t tried because I’m a townie, so I don’t think you’ll be able to surprise me very easily,” I challenged him. “But I’m willing to try something new if you think you’ve got a restaurant up your sleeve that’s up to the task.”

“One thing you should know about me is that I’m very competitive. Never challenge me to anything unless you’re ready for the consequences, because if you throw down the gauntlet, then I’m going to pick it up,” he warned me.

“I grew up with three older brothers, Luka,” I shared with him, “so I don’t scare easily.”

His hand reached out to hold mine. “I wasn’t trying to scare you. That’s the last thing I want to do. Just wanted to share a little about me and how I am. I may be rusty, but that’s what this dating thing is all about, right?”