Liam was just as startled as she was. He'd planned to leave her at the door to the building, and go back to the party. There were probably some girls still lingering about who would be more than happy to spend the night with him. Instead, he found himself unwilling to leave her until he knew she was safely in her room.
"Do you live on campus?" she asked.
"At the Omega house."
"I don't picture you as a frat guy."
"It's better than living in a dorm. More freedom."
"I guess."
She stopped in front of her door and turned to face him. "Do you want to come in? Kathleen is probably still up." In fact, she knew Kathleen was still up, waiting to hear about everything that had happened.
"All right."
She opened the door and stepped aside to let him in. Kathleen was sitting on her bed, a beer in hand as she talked happily with Danielle. They both froze, their mouths gaping as they entered. "Hi," Kathleen finally managed to stammer out.
"Hey," Sera said. "What are you guys up to?"
"Nothing," Danielle answered, her eyes latched onto Liam.
"Beer?" Kathleen asked.
"Isn't it against the rules for you to have alcohol in the dorm rooms?" Liam asked teasingly.
"It's also against the rules for you to be here," she replied happily.
He smiled at her as she dug beneath her bed to pull out a cooler. Liam grabbed two beers from it, popped the top on one, and handed it to Sera. "How do you like this school so far?" Danielle asked unusually shy and hesitant.
"I'm, having a good time, so far."
"You have to watch out for some of the people," Kathleen said. "They can be funny." Her eyes settled on Sera. "It takes some people longer to realize that than others."
Liam looked over at her, his gaze just as intense as Kathleen's. "I figured that," he said.
A muffled knock on the door made them all jump. "Crap," Danielle said, ditching her beer under the bed. Sera grabbed Liam's can and shoved them into her desk drawer. It was bad enough there was a man in their room, but being caught with alcohol would surely get them expelled.
Heart hammering, she walked over to the door and cracked it a little. Michelle stood outside; her long auburn hair spilled around her beautiful face. "Can I come in?" she asked.
Sera stepped back, a knot of anxiety forming in her stomach. She wasn't in the mood for an intense encounter. Michelle swept into the room and froze when she spotted Liam sitting elegantly on Sera's bed, beers back in hand. He stared back at her with open disdain before standing and walking over to give Sera her beer. He managed a small smile for her as he casually leaned against the wall, his shoulder brushing against hers as he crossed his legs before him.
She didn't quite understand what was going on, but she knew he was trying to tell her, and everyone in the room, something. Michelle's dark eyes were filled with resentment as she stared at him. "Hello, everyone," Michelle greeted coldly.
"Hey," Danielle said nervously. "What's up?"
"I came to apologize for what I said earlier." The apology was meant for Sera, but Michelle's eyes remained locked on Liam.
Sera shifted uncomfortably as Liam stood straighter. She still didn't understand what was going on, but she could feel the anger radiating from him. He took a swig of beer and stepped away to place it on her desk before heading back to rest his hands upon her shoulders.
"I'd better get going," he said.
"All right."
Unbelievable disappointment welled inside her. She barely knew him, yet she felt as if something would be missing when he left. She took a deep breath to get her irrational emotions under control. She hadn't had that much to drink, but maybe the alcohol was affecting her.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. Warmth instantly spread through her whole body. She had to clench her hand around her beer to keep herself from grabbing him and deepening the kiss. When he pulled away from her, there was a wealth of confusion in his eyes.
Liam studied her attentively. He hadn't meant to tell her he would see her tomorrow. He'd planned to walk out of this room, and never see her again. She was too dangerous. She made him feel things he’d never felt before. Things he wasn't supposed to feel, wasn't allowed to feel.
He found himself wanting to protect her, shelter her, and ease the distress he’d seen in her eyes earlier. He craved her with an intensity that was hardening him even now. She was the most delectable, entrancing woman he’d ever met.
Sera managed to nod a response before he turned away from her. He brushed by Michelle, not even looking at her as he opened the door. "Nice to meet you guys," he said to Kathleen and Danielle, pointedly ignoring Michelle.
"Bye," they said in unison.
He shut the door behind him, and they all remained silent for a few seconds. "Oh my God," Danielle gushed. "He is so hot."
"You had better spill!" Kathleen said, excitedly bouncing on her bed.
"Oh yes!" Danielle cried. "Where did you guys go? How was that kiss?"
Sera stared at them before she turned to Michelle. She was nonchalantly leaning against the door, but the set of her jaw belied her calm composure. "I'd better go too," she said as she stepped away from the wall. "I'll see you later, and I am sorry about earlier."
"It's all right," Sera replied dully.
Michelle swung the door open and closed it loudly behind her. "What is her problem?" Danielle asked.
"Bet you ten she tries to catch up with him." Kathleen scrambled off her bed and raced to the window.
"Kathleen—" Sera started.
"Never seen her walk that fast before," Kathleen commented.
Sera was unable to resist looking. Michelle was hurrying down the front walk, Liam just ahead
