Sera burst into laughter. "Oh, I don't think so."
His hand froze on her face as he stared at her doubtfully. "Didn't you notice them?"
Sera looked at him in confusion and took a step back. His hand fell from her face. A sense of loss enveloped her as the contact broke. "Notice who?" she asked.
He stared at her with the relentless intensity she was growing accustomed to. Her eyebrows rose inquiringly as she tried to discern what he was searching for, but she had no idea why he was looking at her like that. He gently placed his hand on her face and drew her closer. Her heart pounded as she rested her hands against his chest. The air seemed to crackle with electricity as his thumb brushed over her cheek.
She stared into his green eyes as they burned into hers. She was completely useless against the magnetic pull drawing her toward him. She closed her eyes as his lips brushed hers and sent a shower of sparks and heat throughout her body.
Her mouth opened, and his tongue delved into it. His hands thrust into her hair as he kissed her hungrily. Her whole body was on fire as she clutched at his back to pull him closer. He eased her against the cool cement of a store wall as his firm body pressed against hers. Her knees turned to Jell-O as his hands leisurely caressed the exposed skin of her stomach.
Suddenly, the loud burst of a horn ripped into her daze. She jumped as her mind cleared of its passion-induced haze. With frightening clarity, she realized she was alone, in an alley, with a man she didn't know. A man who was strong enough to do whatever he wanted to her.
Apprehension surged through her, and she pushed frantically at his solid chest. Needing him to get away from her so she could breathe. He pulled away from her, his eyes a darker, passion-clouded green. She took a shuddery breath as she tried to stop the shaking in her legs, and the pounding of her heart that no longer had anything to do with desire. Her eyes pleaded with him not to harm her as her hands slid away from his chest to clutch at the cool cement of the wall behind her.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
Shame flooded her face as she looked down at her feet. "I better get back," she finally managed to say.
"All right."
Sera blinked as he took her hand. Dread blazed through her, and she stiffened involuntarily. However, when he didn't make another move toward her, some of the dread dissipated. She knew many men would have been irritated by her refusal, by her sudden hot and cold. Liam seemed to take it all in stride as they walked toward the college.
It perplexed her, and she couldn't stop herself from casting wary glances his way. Not only did he make her melt just by touching her, but he also seemed to be a decent person. It was too good to be true, there had to be something wrong with him.
Liam tried to puzzle out the mystery that was Sera. He had finally seen what Mike was talking about. The trepidation and pleading in her eyes had constricted his heart. She reminded him of a frightened, trapped animal, and understood why Mike had said to leave her be.
It was obvious she’d been hurt in the past. But how bad it had been, he didn't know. His hand involuntarily tensed around hers as the thought of anyone mistreating her sent a flash of burning anger through him. What was the matter with him? He didn't know this girl from Eve; he shouldn't give a rat's ass about what happened to her in the past.
He chanced a glance at her as she walked along; her golden head bent as she studied the sidewalk. He frowned as he realized that, for some strange reason, he did give a rat's ass. He clenched his jaw as he turned to study the campus. She was the type of person he could truly come to like, and he couldn’t take that chance.
They passed the party, which had begun to slow down. There was a scattering of people sleeping on the lawn, while others were spilling out the doors. The music was still going, but it wasn't as loud anymore. "Hey, Liam!" someone yelled drunkenly from the stonewall. "You get some, man?"
Liam was surprised by the deep blush staining her cheeks. He was certain he’d never seen anyone turn so red, that fast. He squeezed her hand for reassurance. "I see you've made some friends since you've been here," she said.
"I've never met him."
"It's Jason Riggs."
"He's an asshole."
"If you think so now, wait till you get to know him," she told him.
"Sounds like you like him," he commented dryly.
"Not at all, but you learn to deal with him."
"Has he ever done anything to you?"
Her face burned even hotter as she recalled some of the rude comments he'd made to her in the past. "No, just stupid comments, petty stuff."
He could tell by her tone it wasn't petty stuff to her. He glanced over his shoulder to see if he could still spot Jason, but the frat house was well behind them. He would talk with Jason later to make sure he didn't bother her again. His frown deepened as he realized he felt protective of this girl. Jesus, he needed to get away from her, now.
They turned a corner, and her dorm came into view. Disappointment filled her as she realized the night was ending already. Shaking her head to clear her conflicting emotions, she tugged on his hand.
"This is my dorm," she said, stopping in front of it.
"I'll walk you to your room."
She stared at him as she tried to figure him out. Was he being polite, or did he expect something to happen once they were in her room? But Kathleen had said she
