My Forbidden Semester

Definitely not love at first sight.

I chuckled softly, my eyes fixed on the young man who seemed to be in his early twenties.

He was far more striking than the man I had seen earlier, wearing brown shorts that barely reached his knees, a white singlet, and a brown jacket with all the buttons undone, revealing a chiselled, ripped chest I couldn’t look away from.

He was tall, probably 6’2 and the way his lips curved into a smile sent a jolt through me, making my knees go weak.

His brown crew-cut hair was perfectly styled, and somehow, he was even more alluring than the first man I had noticed when I stepped into the club.

“Hey,” he purred once, noticing I hadn’t reacted yet.

I snapped out of my trance, fluttering my eyelashes a few times before raising my brows. “H-huh?” I stammered, my voice betraying me as a strange nervousness took hold of me just because I was standing in front of such a handsome figure.

He chuckled slightly and leaned closer to my ear, his warm breath brushing my skin and sending a ticklish shiver down my spine. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured, then pulled back slightly to study my face again.

I instantly bit my lower lip, feeling a heat rush through me. His hypnotic words made butterflies stir in my stomach.

Our eyes met for a few seconds, and in that instant, the world around me seemed to freeze. “Thanks,” I purred, not realising when the words had left my mouth.

He nodded, as if sensing the effect his words had on me, and slowly took my hands, smiling.

‘Damn, his smile was so seductive.’ I thought within.

The young handsome man gave my hand a gentle caress, igniting a spark within me, then leaned closer to my ear. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered, his voice sending goosebumps pricking my skin.

As if compelled, I let him guide me off the dance floor and toward the club’s mini bar. We sat down on a couch, and his eyes never left me.

“You look familiar,” he began. I raised my brows, confused. “Have we met before?” he asked, and I shook my head.

“Ohh, perhaps I met you in my dreams, because you’re literally the girl of my dreams,” he purred, his words so seductive that a blush crept onto my cheeks.

I expected him to explain where exactly he had met me, but his sexy pickup line left me momentarily speechless, unable to respond.

Seeing the blush on my cheeks, he signalled a waiter whose job was to serve only those at the bar area, a little removed from the dance floor.

The waiter poured us a drink, and nervously I grabbed my champagne and drank it in one gulp.

“Tasty?” he teased, and I chuckled while nodding. “Just nervous,” I admitted because I’m the type of girl who hates to hide how she feels.

Besides, I had always told myself that since I was coming to visit my father, I would try to find a boyfriend so I wouldn’t keep dwelling on my ex.

“By the way, I’m Blake, and you absolutely don’t have to be nervous beside me,” he said, lifting my right hand and placing a soft kiss on it. “I should be the one nervous, sitting next to such an irresistible damsel as you,” he murmured, his hot breath brushing my skin before he winked.

There was something about Blake that gave off a Playboy vibe, and I was more than ready for it.

“So, what’s your name, beautiful?” he asked, letting go of my hand.

“My name is Tessa… Tes for short,” I replied, glancing at him and biting my lower lip.

From the way I twirled a strand of my hair and shifted my body playfully, it was already obvious that I wanted him… not as a partner, but as someone I could have a one-night stand with. Someone to make me forget my ex, even if just for a night.

“Tessa. That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful lady,” he purred, and I nodded in agreement. “Hold on here while I tell my friends I’m heading out,” he added, and I nodded once more.

Where else could I be? I mused within me and after he had walked out of my sight, I pulled out my phone from my handbag.

“Aubrey… this is Tessa and I know texting like this seems weird, but can I stay out late?” I typed, sending the message to my stepsister.

Moments later, a text came through from Aubrey. “Hey Tessa, you’re free to stay out late. My boyfriend and I are heading back to his place so do you want to join us now?”

I sighed, lifting my head from my phone and scanning the club. The handsome man I had seen from the moment I stepped inside the club was now making his way toward me.

I quickly looked back at my phone and typed a reply to Aubrey. “I think I’ll be coming home very late.”

“Hahaha, have fun,” she responded.

I slid my phone back into my handbag, sensing someone standing right in front of me.

I lifted my gaze and met the man’s eyes. “Hello, gorgeous,” he purred, his voice smooth as he gestured to the seat beside me. “May I join you?” His deep, composed tone carried a quiet authority that made me sit up straighter.

I nodded. “Of… of course you can,” I stammered, fluttering my lashes as if something had gotten caught in them, though really, it was because I felt weak, so weak in the presence of this handsome young man.

The young man smirked and sat down beside me. “My name is Derrick. And you are?”

“Tes… Tessa,” I replied, wondering silently if the drink was already affecting me.

“Oh, okay, Tessa. I’m a man of few words and I hate beating around the bush. I believe it’s better to shoot your shot than keep it to yourself,” he said, pausing for a moment to catch his breath.

I found myself nodding.

“Well, Tessa… you caught my attention the moment you stepped into the club. It wasn’t love at first sight, but rather…” His words trailed off as he stared deep into my eyes.

“It was lust, Tessa, and I want to take you to my hotel room,” he declared with full confidence, making me gasp in complete surprise.