Page 42 of Shattered Sinner
Everyone listened closely, and I saw some people nodding along with what we were saying. My eyes sought out Dr. Chen and noticed that she was writing some things down in her notebook, and I hoped that was a good thing.
As we neared the end of our presentation, the tension in my body released. It was as if all the stress I felt because of this presentation suddenly melted away. Dr. Chen and several of our classmates asked questions, and I was relieved when Easton and I were able to answer in turns.
Easton and I smiled at each other in relief. We did it.
Dr. Chen stood up and said, “Thank you so much for that insightful presentation. You should both be proud of the work you’ve accomplished.”
My cheeks warmed and I knew I had a blush coloring my face. Not to mention that our classmates were clapping loudly, embarrassing me slightly because of the volume.
I had to admit that Easton and I had made a good team. We walked back to our seats and waited patiently while the rest of our peers presented their projects.
One by one, each team spoke about their projects, and I did my best to come up with thoughtful questions about the projects that resonated with me the most. Other times, I found my mind wandering about the dirt I needed to find for Tristan to keep his end of the deal.
When class was over for the day, I stood up and stretched before I turned to Easton and said, “Why don’t you come over to my apartment so that we can celebrate the end of this project?”
It sounded lame coming from my lips, but I needed to get it out. I wanted to see him without it being because of school or hanging out with my brother. I wanted it to just be about me and him, and that was it.
Plus, if he was available soon, it would be before the big “engagement” night that I wouldn’t be attending.
Easton thought about it for a moment before he said, “Tonight should work. I have plans tomorrow night.”
I raised an eyebrow. I hated that I was wondering what he was doing tomorrow evening. I had no right to, yet I couldn’t stop myself. Then it occurred to me what might be occurring. It was coming to the end of the semester and football was over, so I was willing to bet it had something to do with the Chevaliers.
“Okay, I’ll send you more details about when to come over and all of that.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you then.”
* * *
That evening,I rolled my shoulders back as I heard the knock on the door. It was show time, and I was more than ready for what tonight would bring.
I opened my door and gave the person on the other end the brightest smile that I could without a second thought.
Easton.
It was the moment I’d been looking forward to all day.
The soft click of my front door closing behind Easton sent a wave of excitement through me. He strode into my apartment, taking in the sight of the scented candles and slow soft music playing in the background.
A crooked smile appeared on his face as his gaze settled on me. “You look stunning, as always.”
Warmth covered my cheeks at the compliment as I looked down at the long red dress I’d decided to wear tonight. My eyes made their way up to the navy sweater and the dark jeans he had on. His brown hair looked as if he’d been running his fingers through it. I was intrigued by the way he’d dressed because normally, I would have expected us to be in sweats or torn up jeans and sweatshirts. Yet both of us had decided to dress things up tonight as if we’d both realized how important tonight was.
“You don't look too bad yourself,” I admitted.
Easton took a step closer to me and I almost stepped back in reflex because I was taken aback by my reaction to his presence in my space. “We did well today. I think Dr. Chen was impressed with our presentation.”
“We make a great team.”
When he took another step toward me, I moved back until my back was up against the wall. His proximity to me was doing dangerous things to my mind. I struggled to form a coherent thought that had nothing to do with us fucking right here, right now.
“That we do.” His voice lowered as he reached out to push a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear. “In more ways than one.”
I sucked in a sharp breath as I enjoyed the way that his fingers grazed my skin. I closed my eyes and completely embraced it. The warnings and complications about all of this faded away as I gave in to him. Easton had a way of making me forget all the reasons why I should stay away from him, but I wasn’t complaining one bit.
“You're thinking too much,” he murmured, his lips brushing the curve of my neck.
“I know, we are supposed to be eating dinner first and—”
