She knew she was a walking contradiction—drawing attention was the best way to remain invisible. People—especially men—saw the blonde with the big boobs and were incapable of seeing beyond that. Which meant that she—Leanne, the girl she really was—was safe and went unnoticed.
“Hey, Leanne!”
She looked up and felt heat flood her cheeks—and points farther south. Damn, he was sexy.
“Oh, hi, Ryan.” She smiled and waited for him to walk on and go inside. He didn’t.
“Have you seen Dan?”
She checked her watch again. “He’s late.”
Ryan smiled, and she felt her knees go weak—even though that was ridiculous and too cliché for words. “Good. I thought I was.”
She frowned. “You’re meeting him?”
He met her gaze. “Yeah. You too?”
Leanne’s heart raced. “I am. He didn’t tell me that you were coming.”
Ryan shrugged. She couldn’t help noticing how broad his shoulders were. Her heart was beating too fast and too loud. She had to get a grip. “He didn’t tell me that you were.”
She nodded and looked around again, wondering if she should make her excuses and go. This was supposed to be a study session. Dan had offered to help her out, but she didn’t think she’d be able to focus if Ryan was going to be there too. The man was far too distracting with all his muscles and that smile of his … there it went again.
“Do you mind?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Do you mind me being here?”
She shook her head. That was the trouble. She didn’t mind at all. She loved being around him. She’d only spoken to him a few times. He didn’t seem like he fit in here anymore than she did. She could see him on a football field or hanging out with the jocks. But she wouldn’t have expected someone like him to be friends with Dan—or in the same cryptography class.
He was smiling at her again. He needed to stop doing that or she wasn’t going to be able to think straight. “What’s with you and Dan?”
She raised an eyebrow. It seemed safer than speaking.
“I mean. He’s awesome, but it surprises me that the two of you are so close.”
“I was just thinking the same thing about you.”
He laughed. It was a rich, deep sound that made all her nerve endings tingle. “Yeah. I don’t suppose anyone would pick me out of a lineup as Dan’s buddy, would they?”
“No.”
“Or you as his girlfriend.”
She shook her head rapidly. “I’m not his girlfriend.”
The lines around his eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Good to know.”
Her heart hammered in her chest. She wanted to ask him why, but the way he was looking her over gave her a fair idea. She looked around for Dan again. “Where the hell is he?”
Ryan took his phone out. “I’ll text him and see.”
~ ~ ~
Where are you?
Ryan hit send and then looked up at Leanne. He couldn’t help it. He’d only met her a couple times, but each time he’d found it difficult to keep his eyes off her. He hadn’t told Dan how attractive he found her. He hadn’t been sure what might be going on between the two of them. Dan had told him there wasn’t anything, but he’d wondered if the interest was there, if it was just a matter of time. The way Leanne had reacted to the suggestion that she was Dan’s girlfriend told Ryan that there was nothing between them, nor was there likely to be. Still. That didn’t mean he should act on his attraction to her. It wouldn’t be a wise move. He let his gaze run over her hour-glass figure. Wise or not, it was tempting.
She had her phone out. He was puzzled when her cheeks flushed pink. His own phone buzzed, and he pursed his lips when he saw Dan’s reply.
I’m not coming. You and Leanne need to figure it out.
Ryan got the impression that he wasn’t talking about the assignment, but he needed to be sure.
I thought you were going to show me how.
He looked at Leanne again. She was tapping furiously at her phone. He had to think that Dan had just told her the same thing.
Ha-ha! You’re the one who has to show me how when it comes to women. I’ll help you both with the assignment before it’s due. First, the two of you need to either get something started or get something out of your system. Go screw each other’s brains out, then we can all focus on work.
Ryan adjusted his pants and didn’t dare look at Leanne this time. The thought of screwing her brains out was appealing, to say the least. But … he peeked at her. If he had to guess, he’d say that Dan had told her the same thing—and that she wasn’t averse to the idea. Still …
Seriously?
Dan’s reply came almost immediately.
Seriously. I’ve done my bit. It’s up to the two of you what you do with it. I don’t need another study session wasted by you each pestering me about the other when it’s obvious what you both want.
Ryan had asked Dan about her, but he thought he’d been subtle—he certainly hadn’t pestered.
She’s been asking you about me?
He waited for a few moments, but no reply came. Leanne’s cheeks were bright red as she looked at her phone.
I’ve told you both the same thing. I’m going dark now. You’ll just have to talk to each other.
Leanne slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. Her cheeks were still pink. His mind raced. How did he want to play this? Dan may have caught him off guard, but … it seemed that he’d also opened a door if he wanted to go through it.
He smiled. “Are you going to kill him, or should I?”
She shook her head. “What does he think he’s playing at?” She didn’t seem angry. Now that the flush on her cheeks was fading, she didn’t seem too embarrassed either. Maybe Dan had done them both a favor.
“Looks to me like he’s trying to play matchmaker.”
She raised an eyebrow. There was something very sexy about the way she did that. Sure, it was a question. But it looked like an invitation, too. “Are you looking to be matched?”
His heart raced in his chest. He wasn’t. Not in the sense chicks meant anyway. She didn’t strike him as a regular chick, though. What the hell? Why not be upfront with her? Well, as upfront as he could be about anything. “Me? Matched?” He shook his head. “I’m surprised at Dan. He knows me better than that.”
He didn’t miss the look of disappointment in her eyes. So, she was interested. She probably wouldn’t be once he made himself clear. But he had to see.
“I’m not interested in getting matched … but I wouldn’t mind getting laid.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. Her mouth formed a perfect little O shape that had him biting down on his bottom lip. He might have blown it, but it’d be a while before he’d shake that image of her mouth from his mind. He could hear his heartbeat as he waited for her response. Would it be a slap across the face? He probably deserved it. Would she just walk away? At least he’d get to watch her ass as she went.