He blinked hard trying to clear his head and tear his gaze away from her full lips as she spoke.
"Mark? Are you even listening to me?" Dark eyes frowned at him behind black wire-rimmed glasses.
Mark's eyelid's lowered to half mast, his blue gaze darkening. "Every word, baby."
"Pardon?" She was giving his a perplexed look.
Mark blinked rapidly. Had he just said that out loud? He sat up straight abruptly in his seat and attempted to force his gaze back to the book in front of him. The margins inked with notes, words were circled, passages were highlighted. It hurt his head just to look at it. How the hell did she study like this?
Cassie Devin had been his English Lit. tutor for the past three weeks and he felt like he wasn't getting anywhere. He just couldn't get into this stuff. It didn't help that he couldn't help staring at Cassie's mouth whenever she launched into a speech. She sighed and slumped back in her chair, took off the glasses and ran a hand through her straight locks, mussing them slightly. She had jet black hair that hung straight past her shoulders and framed her caramel colored face. She had dark almond shaped eyes framed by thick lashes, and full gorgeous lips that had become the object of his constant fixation over the last week.
To say that Mark Christianson was oversexed was understatement. He definitely had the reputation on campus of being a pussy hound. And his Lit. tutor had just become the new object of his pursuit although she hadn't quite picked up on it yet. In truth, he didn't know how to approach her. She wasn't normally the type of girl he went for. She was undoubtedly gorgeous. It wasn't just her skin color. He found it enticing. But Cassie was bright. Brilliant. She was the kind of student which made teachers' faces light up when she raised her hand in anticipation of some truly insightful observation she was sure to make. In their Early British Literature class Mark preferred to sit in back and pray to God their professor didn't expect anything of him.
Mark leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms behind his head before offering Cassie a lazy smile. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest before narrowing her eyes at him. "You're not even trying are you?" she accused.
Mark sighed and dropped his arms to rest his hands on his thighs as he lowered the front legs of the chair back to the floor. He gestured to the book lying open in front of him. "I just don't see the point."
Cassie's brows rose, "Umm, maybe not flunking out of this course?" she ventured.
Mark shrugged and resumed his nonchalant posture. He was more worried than he let on. He wouldn't be able to keep playing sports if he didn't pick up his grades in this class. He played both soccer and lacrosse for the university; soccer in the fall and lacrosse in the spring. The anxiety of being booted off the team gnawed at him.
He glared at the book. "This stuff just doesn't interest me, Cass."
Cassie fought not to show surprise at the familiar use of a nickname. She leaned her elbows on the table and gazed at him intently. "Well what does interest you Mr. Christianson?" she queried. "I'd really like to know since you seem intent on not trying and taking up precious hours of my life."
A small smile played on his lips. He liked when she was sarcastic. She was kind of a smart ass. He liked that about her. What interested him? 'You', he thought about saying but he pushed the thought away. Instead he answered, "Econ, law...that kinda thing."
"So when you come a big time corporate lawyer you're not planning on reading anything?" She leaned her chin on one palm and looked squarely at him.
He grinned at her, "No I wasn't particularly planning on reading archaic pieces of literature during my free time."
She smirked. "Well at least do it so your coaches won't have to bench you. Pretend you like it for just a little bit." She sighed. "What's it gonna take?"
He leaned forward and placed his forearms on the table. His face was close to hers and he watched surprise and uncertainty flicked in her dark eyes. "A date with my gorgeous tutor." His voice was steady, his sky-colored eyes serious.
Cassie sat back in her chair and eyed him warily. "You're joking right?"
Mark shook his head slowly. "Not joking at all. I'm completely serious." She was looking at him as if he'd lost his mind.
Her dark brows drew together. "So let me get this straight. I go out with you and you're going to pay attention, concentrate, and quit making me like I'm a completely inept tutor?"
Mark nodded, a smiled stretching across his handsome face. "You got it darling," he said, the slight southern drawl entering his face
She stared at him. Goodness, why was he looking at her like that? He was looking at her like he wanted to pick her up and take her right here on the table of the library. She knew his reputation but he hadn't yet aimed his attentions at her. His tastes seemed to run more towards the giggly blonde type. So not her. She was not amused. She narrowed her gaze at him. "How about we get back to work, and I'll think about it."
He grinned broadly. "You got it babe."
She grimaced. "Don't call me babe."
