2. Then

Ishuffle down the hall, careful not to bump into anyone. I hate being the new girl in school, again. I love my dad, and I’m proud of his accomplishments, but the constant moving and attending new schools is really getting old. I find my assigned locker and sigh. There are a group of people surrounding it, and if I go off the designer clothing and bags, I can assume they are the popular crowd. I contemplate coming back when they’re gone, but the load of books in my arms is weighing me down. I take a deep breath and move a bit closer.

“Excuse me,” I say softly to the redhead bombshell who”s flirting with a handsome boy. She ignores me, but he catches my eye. I watch as he gives my unimpressive clothes a once over before biting his bottom lip. I follow his eyes and take in my cut-off jean shorts and purple tank top. It’s not really up to dress code, but it’s hot as hell here in the desert. He gives me a smirk and winks.

“Now, who is this little caterpillar?” he asks in a deep voice that brings goosebumps to my arms. I hold back a shiver and give him a small smile before tilting my head his way.

“Hi, I’m Cat, and that is my locker. If you wouldn’t mind. My arms are about to fall off,” I say with an awkward chuckle. He steps back and pulls the black beanie from his head, letting a floppy mess of hazel hair fall over his green eyes.

“Thank you,” I quickly say as I move closer, and the other students step back as well, giving me space.

“I like you thanking me,” he mumbles, and I bite my lip to hide my smile. I glance over my shoulder back at him. Is he flirting with me?

The redhead huffs and moves closer to the boy again, but he’s not paying her any attention now. I spin the lock a few times until it finally clicks and opens. Placing some books inside, I groan with relief. I don’t know why they make books so heavy. A warm breath hits the side of my neck, and I feel a hard body against mine, I jolt back, elbowing them in their hard stomach.

“Jumpy little kitten,” he says with a laugh before leaning lower and sniffing my hair. A soft growl rumbles in his chest, and it causes me to rub my thighs together.

“Rex, let’s go,” the redhead demands, pulling him away from me.

“See you around, Cat,” he whispers before following after her. Watching him leave; I catch as he glances back over his shoulder, shoots me a wink and licks his lips. I take in his tall, muscular frame and the way the other students give him ample room. One boy even goes as far as moving into the girl’s bathroom to avoid being in his way. He laughs at that and I find myself smiling too. He turns the corner and I take a deep breath, leaning my back against the cool metal of the lockers. I feel flushed, and my panties are damp.

What the hell just happened?