CAMPUS HEARTS

CHAPTER 11

"Let me drop you off, hun."

I immediately turned around and saw Charles standing there, looking unfairly attractive.

His dark hair was slightly messy, probably from the night breeze, and he wore a top and the black sweatpants from earlier. The casual outfit somehow made him look even better.

"No way," I replied immediately. "I'm waiting for a taxi."

He let out an exaggerated groan. "Come on, Katherine. It's midnight. You don't have to stand outside waiting for a taxi." He pointed toward a sleek black Mercedes AMG parked neatly along the curb. "My car is literally right there."

For a brief second, my eyes drifted toward the car. It was beautiful. Then I quickly looked away before he noticed.

"Not happening," I said firmly. "I can't be trapped in an enclosed space with you."

His lips curled into a smirk. "Why not? Afraid you'll jump on me again?"

"Haha. So funny." I folded my arms across my chest. "I'm already going to spend enough time with you tomorrow. I think that's more than enough Charles Martinez for one weekend."

He sighed, and surprisingly, the teasing disappeared from his face. "Come on, Katherine."

His voice sounded gentler this time. "You're my girlfriend." He paused before correcting himself. "Well... fake girlfriend. There's no way I'm leaving you all alone in the middle of the night."

He shoved his hands into his pockets. "And besides... you're a 'lady'."

I narrowed my eyes. "Why did you say 'lady' like you were talking about some rare species?"

He cleared his throat. "Fine." He straightened his posture dramatically. "You're a LADY."

I continued staring at him. "Still suspicious."

He sighed again. "You're a woman."

I pointed a finger at him. "You somehow made it worse."

He rubbed his forehead. "You're impossible."

"So I've been told."

He looked at me for a long moment before shaking his head. "I'm serious, Katherine. It goes against everything I was taught to leave a girl stranded alone this late at night."

He paused. "I'm not taking no for an answer."

I stared at him for a few seconds. He actually looked sincere..Reluctantly, I let out a long sigh. "Fine."

A victorious smile spread across his face. "I knew you'd see reason."

"Don't push it."

He walked over to the passenger side and opened the door for me like some gentleman straight out of a romance movie.

I hated that it was... kind of attractive.

I slid into the leather seat, and he closed the door before walking around to the driver's side.

Moments later, the engine purred to life, and we pulled onto the road.

---

The drive was surprisingly quiet. There was no music. No teasing. Just the soft hum of the engine and the occasional sound of passing cars.

It felt... peaceful. After several minutes, he finally spoke. "So... where do you live?"

"Fido Apartments."

He nodded and typed the address into the navigation system before continuing the drive. Not long afterward, we pulled into the apartment building's parking lot.

He parked near the entrance and switched off the engine. Silence settled over the car once again. I reached for the door handle, before... "You look hot in that dress."

I slowly turned toward him. "What?"

"You heard me." He looked completely serious.

I blinked. "You look... good yourself?"

The words came out sounding more like a question than a compliment. A corner of his mouth lifted. He leaned closer. My breathing instantly became uneven.

Without saying anything, he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "It was just a compliment, Jones." His voice had dropped lower. "I was simply complimenting you."

I nodded awkwardly. "Sure... thanks."

His eyes slowly travelled over my face. "If you keep dressing like this..." He paused. "...I might lose control one day." My heart skipped. "And I might be the one jumping on you next time."

My mouth fell open. Why did he have to say everything with that stupidly attractive British accent?

Pull yourself together, Katherine. He leaned even closer. "You know..."

His warm breath brushed lightly against my lips. "...there's a very thin line between self-control and temptation."

His face was only inches away now. Our eyes locked. Neither of us spoke. Neither of us moved. Every logical thought disappeared from my brain.

All I could think about...

...was kissing him, Again. Slowly, I leaned forward. Our lips were barely an inch apart. Just before they could meet...

He pulled away. A soft chuckle escaped him. "So easy to sway."

I froze. Then embarrassment crashed into me all at once. Oh my God. He tricked me..Again. I quickly cleared my throat and looked away. "I should go."

Without waiting for another word, I climbed out of the car. "Goodnight, Martinez."

I shut the door behind me and inhaled the cool night air. As I started walking toward the apartment entrance, I heard his car door open. "Jones." I turned around..He was leaning casually against his car.

"Do you own a dress?" The random question completely caught me off guard.

"Um...".I blinked. "No."

"I figured." He shrugged. "You don't normally wear them."

I frowned. "So?"

"So..." He smiled. "I'll take you shopping tomorrow before dinner."

I immediately shook my head. "No way. I can buy my own clothes. Or," I continued, "I could borrow one from Rebecca or Ruby."

He ignored every single word I said. "I'll pick you up at five. The dinner starts at seven."

I stared at him. "No. We are not spending two whole hours shopping."

He looked completely unfazed. "I have two sisters and I've gone shopping with them before." He looked straight into my eyes. "Trust me. Two hours is actually considered fast."

I groaned. He had no idea how dangerous shopping was for me. If I walked into a clothing store...

I'd spend thirty minutes deciding between two identical shirts. "I'm not going shopping with you, Martinez."

I emphasized every single word. He simply smiled. "I'll see you at five."

"I said no."

"Goodnight, Jones." He climbed back into his car.

"Charles!" The engine started. "I am not going!"

He rolled down the window just enough to grin at me. "Be ready." Then he drove away.

I stood there staring after his disappearing car. "Unbelievable."

I hissed under my breath before making my way inside the building. The elevator was still broken. Of course it was.

I slowly climbed all three flights of stairs, mentally adding "fix the stupid elevator" to the list of things I wished management would do.

By the time I unlocked the apartment door, I was exhausted. Inside, Molly and Ruby were asleep on the couch, completely tangled in one blanket.

An empty popcorn bowl rested between them while popcorn pieces were scattered across the floor. Pitch Perfect was still playing on the television. I smiled despite myself.

Quietly, I switched off the TV and turned off the lights before heading toward my bedroom. A long shower washed away most of the night's exhaustion.

Soon, I was curled up beneath my blankets. But sleep refused to come immediately. Instead... My thoughts drifted back to Olivia.

Her words echoed inside my head. "You messed with the wrong person."

For the first time that night... Charles Martinez wasn't the last thing on my mind.

Olivia was.