Michelle's eyes settled on Kathleen. They burned with an intense hatred, unlike anything Sera had seen before. A chill shuddered through Sera in the face of that hatred. Kathleen seemed not to notice it as she grabbed hold of Sera's arm and steered her away. She found herself pulling Liam behind her through the crowd as Kathleen plunged onward. They made their way outside where Kathleen released her arm, slid to the bottom step, and hugged her middle as she burst out laughing.
"Did... you... see... her... face?" she managed to wheeze out. "That was great!"
"Kathleen—" Sera started.
"Oh I know, she's a friend of yours," Kathleen waved a hand in dismissal as she sobered up. "But I love putting her in her place. Besides, I don't know how you can consider that stuck up bitch a friend."
"She's your friend?" Liam inquired.
"Yes."
"Good friends you have," he commented dryly.
"Hey!" Kathleen protested. "I'm a terrific friend. By the way, my name is Kathleen, and you are...?"
"Liam."
"Nice to meet you, Liam."
"You too, Kathleen."
Kathleen climbed to her feet and absently brushed at her wrinkled skirt. "I'm going to head back to the room; are you coming with me Sera?"
"I'll be there in a little bit."
Kathleen's gaze darted nervously to Liam. "Are you sure you're going to be all right?"
Sera smiled reassuringly at her. Regardless of Kathleen's carefree demeanor, Sera knew Kathleen worried about her. "I'll be okay. Why are you heading back so early?"
"I've had my share of entertainment, alcohol, leering guys, and bitches for the night," she said with a huge grin. "I'll see you later." She hopped off the stairs and skipped down the sidewalk. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she called over her shoulder, "Which is nothing!"
Sera could hear her laughing all the way down the street. She turned back to Liam, who was watching Kathleen's disappearing figure. "She seems like fun," he commented dryly.
"She is. Lots of fun, and my best friend."
"I don't know you, or your friends very well, but I would suggest rethinking at least one of them."
Sera turned and headed down the sidewalk, kicking at a few loose stones. "Michelle is a little funny about some things," she admitted.
"I must have missed her sense of humor."
She laughed and turned to walk backward in front of him. "She doesn't have one, but she's a good person, once you get to know her. However, she's used to getting whatever she wants."
"And what did she want that she didn't get?"
Sera looked away; a blush stained her cheeks as a wave of shyness swept her. "She wanted you," she mumbled, unable to meet his eyes.
"And she always gets what she wants?"
Sera looked up at him, expecting him to be laughing at her. Instead, his face was expressionless, and his eyes were cold and remote. Sera stopped walking. He halted before her, his eyes focused on her, but remained distant.
"Yes," Sera said. "Michelle always gets what she sets her mind to. She's beautiful and smart, and not easily denied."
Liam's gaze searched her small, delicate face. He hadn't been wrong in his assumption earlier; her eyes were spectacular. They were a swirling combination of sapphire blue and vivid purple. The violet mingled with the blue in such a way it was almost impossible to discern one color from the other. He could become lost in those beguiling eyes if he wasn't careful.
Which he always was. He couldn't allow himself to get involved with someone, or to get attached. But, he found himself becoming intrigued with her. If he wasn't cautious, he might find himself liking her. That was something he couldn't do, wasn't capable of doing. He needed to stay aloof, and distant from her.
"I see," he finally replied.
She searched his face for why he was suddenly so detached, but he remained impassive. "Why does that make you angry?"
He smiled as he took hold of her hand and began to walk again. "It doesn't make me angry. I just don't like it when people assume things."
"Assume things?"
"She assumed she would always get what she wanted, and so did you."
"I'm not assuming anything," she retorted. "That's the way it's always been."
"Well, it isn't now."
"Besides, she won't give up. She never does."
"So?"
Sera looked down at the sidewalk. "You never know what the future holds."
"Wouldn't I have a say in it?" he asked, his voice tinged with ire.
"Yes," she said. "I didn't mean to upset you."
He squeezed her hand. "I know you didn't, but I don't want Michelle, and I think that's why she was so mad at you."
"Why?"
He smiled at her as he led her across the street. Sera realized they’d left campus and were heading into town. Cars packed the streets. People, mostly college students, were milling around outside the bars smoking cigarettes. Music filled the air as they passed the crammed bars and groups of people on the street. She couldn't help but smile as she noticed the envious glances of the women they passed.
They turned a corner and left the noise of the bars and restaurants behind for the closed shops. "She knew I had my eye on someone else."
"And who would that be?" she asked.
"Some blonde who wouldn't talk to me." Sera was pleased by the teasing glint in his eyes.
She laughed as she cast him a smile. "Who could with the swarm you had around you?"
He stopped walking, tugging on her hand to halt her. She stopped before him, tilting her chin up to gaze into his amazing green eyes. "I found a way to talk to you," he said huskily.
His voice sent shivers down her spine. His intense stare caused her to bite nervously on her bottom lip as his hand came up to caress her cheek. "There wasn't a swarm of people around me," she said as she relished in the feel of his touch against her skin.
"No," he whispered. "Just a bunch of leering
