Chapter 3

3

LUKE

I 've gotten through the magazine and three cups of coffee before I finally spot her. I'd know that head of soft, wavy blonde hair anywhere. She's walking beside a tall red-haired girl, and they're both laughing, obviously enjoying themselves.

Something hot and possessive curls in my chest as I watch them. Emma looks even more beautiful in the daylight, her smile bright and carefree. She's dressed simply in jeans and a Stonebridge University hoodie, but she's absolutely gorgeous.

My hands itch to touch her, to pull her close, and claim those soft lips, but I resist. There's still too much I don't know about her. But I will find out.

I watch as she and her friend say goodbye, and then Emma starts in the direction of her dorm. This is my chance. I quickly dispose of my coffee cup and magazine and jog after her, my heart pounding.

"Hey," I call out as I draw near. "Emma, right? From last night?"

She turns around, surprise clear on her face. "Luke, hi," she says, a hint of shyness in her voice. "Um, yeah, that's me. Did you need something?"

Her innocence is so damn tempting. I take a step closer, drinking in her appearance. Her face is flush, and her eyes bright.

"I just wanted to check in, make sure everything's okay," I murmur, resisting the urge to reach out and touch her.

"Oh," she says, sounding a little breathless. "That's really sweet. Everything's fine."

The tension between us is electric. I can't tell if she's feeling it too or if it's just me. But either way, I need to get a hold of myself.

"Good," I manage, taking a step back. "I'm glad."

She smiles, and I melt a little bit inside.

"Thanks for checking on me," she says. "That was thoughtful of you."

"Anytime." I mean it, too. The thought of Emma alone and scared makes my blood boil. "Listen, you didn't get my number last night. I'd like to give it to you in case you ever need anything."

I hold out my hand, and after a beat of hesitation, she places her phone in it. Her fingers brush against mine, and the urge to take her hand in mine, pull her to me, is powerful.

I quickly enter my number into her contacts and hand her phone back.

"Thanks," she murmurs, biting her lower lip.

God, she's so fucking cute.

"No problem."

We stand there in awkward silence for a moment, neither of us seeming to know what to say. What the hell am I doing? I'm a grown fucking man, why am I sitting here letting things get weird? Hell no. I'm better than this.

"Where are you going now? Class? Back to your dorm?"

Emma looks surprised at the barrage of questions but smiles.

"Actually, I'm on my way back to the dorm. I just finished a study session with my roommate, Sarah."

She's looking up at me with those wide green eyes, and fuck, I can't resist.

"Well, let me walk you. I haven't got anything else going on and could use the company."

I don't know if it's true or not, but that doesn't stop Emma from smiling as we start walking. We chat as we go, the conversation easy and flowing. It's a little surprising, considering how shy she seemed last night, but I'm not gonna complain.

Emma tells me about her classes, her major, and her plans for the future. She's obviously passionate about literature, and the way her eyes light up when she talks about her favorite authors makes my chest tighten.

I can't believe how lucky I am. This girl—this perfect, sweet girl—is walking beside me, talking about her dreams and her hopes. And she's opening up to me. She's trusting me with this intimate information, and all I want is to fuck her senseless. She has no idea.

When we reach the dorm, Emma pauses at the door.

"Thank you," she says, her voice soft and sincere, "for walking me back and listening to me go on about books."

"Anytime," I say again. My voice is rough, and I clear my throat, trying to regain some composure.

"Well, this was fun," Emma says, a small smile tugging at her lips. She's so fucking adorable, and it takes all my self-control not to kiss her right then and there. "I thought we might see each other again. Thanks for making my dream a reality."

She's trying to be funny, I can tell, but I want to yell and pound my chest at the sharp satisfaction I feel knowing that I've been on her mind. That she did want to see me again and is playing it off, just in case I am really here just as an Iron Guardian.

"It's not a dream. In fact, I'll be around a lot more," I say.

Emma cocks her head and gives me a puzzled look.

"Really? How's that?"

Remembering how to be charming, how to be seductive, is like waking up a sleeping bear inside of me that has been hibernating for God knows how long. I can feel the beast in me stretching, muscles coming to life for the first time in so long, as I take a step forward and lift Emma's face towards mine with my thumb under her chin. The motion is smooth, and she gasps at the connection but doesn't pull away.

"Because I like you, Emma. And I plan to spend more time with you … if that's something you're okay with." And if you're not okay with it yet, how do I get you there? How do I make you crave me the same way I crave you?

I watch her as I say these words. My voice is low, practically a growl, and Emma swallows visibly, her eyes wide. A blush creeps over her cheeks, and I can't help but wonder what other parts of her turn such a pretty pink when she blushes.

"I … Yes. I mean, yes, I would like that."

I chuckle at how wide her eyes have gotten. "Good."

My hand is still cupping her chin, and I can't seem to make myself let go. Not when her skin is so soft, and her eyes are locked onto mine. I know I should end this, walk away, and give her time to think and figure out what she wants.

But the beast in me can't. He doesn't want to take his eyes off Emma now that he's awake.

And if I'm completely honest with myself, I don't know if I'd be able to walk away anyway. There's something about her, something that draws me in, makes me want to stay by her side. I swallow hard, trying to tamp down the feelings raging inside me, but it's no use. All I can see, all I can think about, is Emma.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I release her chin. But I don't step back, not wanting to put any more distance between us. Instead, I let my fingers trail across her jaw, down her neck, feeling the heat of her skin, and the rapid beating of her pulse beneath my touch.

It's intoxicating, this sense of power, of knowing that I have this effect on her, that I can make her heart race and her breath catch.

She looks up at me, owl-eyed, and I can see the same desire, the same need, reflected in her gaze. It's too much and not enough all at once.

I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear, and I hear her breath hitch.

"I'm going to kiss you, Emma, on that pretty mouth."

She doesn't say anything, but the slight nod of her head is all the encouragement I need. I cup her face in my hands, tilting her head up to meet mine. Her lips are soft and pliant beneath my own, and the taste of her is like a drug, intoxicating and addictive.

I deepen the kiss, claiming her mouth with a possessiveness that surprises even me. Emma responds eagerly, her body melting into mine, her arms wrapping around my neck.

I can feel the fire between us, burning hot and bright, and I know that there's no turning back now. This is only the beginning. She's stiff at first, inexperienced and surprised, but there's an eagerness to the sway of her body towards mine. I don't ask, but instead, I take, sliding my tongue across the seam of her lips until she opens them and I'm able to dip inside. God, she tastes good, my tongue sweeping against hers in a tangle. Emma makes soft sounds that have me as hard as a fucking rock.

Finally, reluctantly, I pull away. I need to catch my breath, and more importantly, I need to make sure that Emma is okay with what's happening between us.

"You good?"

She nods, her eyes still a little dazed and her lips kiss-swollen. Fuck, she's beautiful.

"Good."

We stand there for a moment, the tension between us still palpable, but before I can say anything, Emma speaks up.

"Luke, I..." She trails off, her gaze dropping to the ground. I can tell she's hesitant, maybe even a little scared, but there's a determination in her eyes when she looks back up at me. "I have class again in a few hours, and I really have to study for an exam I have for my Poetry class. But if you have time, you could pick me up on Friday."

My heart swells at her invitation. She's taking a chance on me, opening herself up to the possibility of something more. And I'm going to show her that she made the right choice.

"Of course," I reply without hesitation. "I'll be here."

Emma beams up at me, and I can't resist leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. She smells like flowers and sunshine, and I linger for a moment, savoring the feeling of her so close. It can't last forever, though, and we're separating way before I'm ready to.

"And Emma," I tell her, "I hope you're ready to learn how to ride."