Bittersweet Lies (Bittersweet-Series Book 1) Read online

  He merely looks at me innocently.

  “I know I’m late and the lecture is about to begin, but Kendra–” and I interrupt him with a snort of annoyance.

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I don’t care about what you and this Kendra did. I want to know what you are doing attending one of my lectures.

  Are you in the wrong hall?”

  “Psychology, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m right where I need to be.” Satisfied, he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms in front of his broad chest.

  “You didn’t tell me you live under the same roof as the goddamn WHITE TWINS!” Heather hisses in my right ear, seemingly offended.

  I glare at her intently.

  “Not now!” I growl and dedicate my attention back to the problem that calmly sits next to me, still not caring that all eyes are on us.

  “Since when did you sign up for the psychology course?” I ask quietly, narrowing my eyes.

  He briefly glances at his watch. “Today.”

  “Do you think I’m stupid, Blake? You’re only here to bug me.”

  One of the corners of his mouth twitches treacherously. “Oh, is that what you think?”

  My eyes narrow slightly more. “I don’t know what you’re trying to prove here, just don’t.”

  I know something fishy is going on here.

  “Why so irritable? I’m only here because I’m interested in the subject.”

  Yeah, sure. And I’m Santa Claus.

  “Okay then.” I nod and focus on my lecture notes again.

  Two minutes later, the lecturer finally shows up.

  It’s an elderly man of average size with gray hair and a bald spot on his head.

  The thick horn-rimmed glasses do not favor his already beady eyes and the unflattering outfit points out his problem zones in an unseemly manner.

  What the heck. As long as he knows his curriculum and delivers it in an interesting manner, he could be a hobbit for all I care.

  Heather, who has been listening to our conversation with a suspicious look, jabs an elbow into my side.

  “Ouch,” I cry, turning my head in her direction, only to receive the evil eye.

  “What the hell was that for?” I complain bitterly.

  “When were you going to tell me about it?”

  “Really? That’s what’s on your mind?”

  “Yes, dammit,” she mumbles.

  “I’ve heard the rumors. Besides, I’m your best friend.”

  My brows shoot up. “Did I miss something or when did you become my best friend?”

  “I’m the only one who puts up with your shit, so shut up and accept it,” she growls.

  “My, my, aren’t we in a mood today,” I sigh.

  Soon after, I feel a big warm hand on my thigh and cringe.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Blake whispers in my ear in a deep voice after leaning over.

  “That’s none of your business.” And with that, I pick up his hand that rests comfortably on my leg and place it firmly on the tabletop.

  “What was that about?” Heather wants to know, slides her butt forward to the edge of the chair, and leans her upper body forward a bit for a better view.

  “Nothing. Don’t always be so nosy.”

  Since I consider the subject closed, I pointedly open the lecture notes.

  “Now hush. I want to follow the lecture.” It’s a blatant lie, but she doesn’t need to know.

  Unfortunately, the teaching style of Professor Reynold – who’s completely engrossed in his monologue – is as boring as his appearance, so I stare at my papers while the chatter on the life and work of Raymond Bernard Cattell shifts into the background.

  So the pair of nags next to me continue to leave me alone, I pretend to take notes and write some keywords on my notepad that I’ll probably be unable to decipher later on.

  I expected the subject to be more interestingly presented, but perhaps the professor merely needs time to warm up.

  “If you think I’m done with the subject simply because you’re pretending to pay attention in class, I have to disappoint you,” Heather grumbles a bit too loud.

  I lean my head slightly in Blake’s direction to see whether he heard her announcement when I encounter a pair of dark blue eyes staring at me relentlessly.

  Great. Simply great.

  Since I’m not in the mood for another arousing conversation, I quickly avert my gaze.

  “If you like, I can explain the material to you during a private lesson,” he whispers, placing an arm on the back of my chair.

  “No, thank you.”

  “I’m better than that nerd up front,” he says quietly, moving with his chair closer to mine.

  “So you say,” I reply unimpressed and continue to scribble on my notepad.

  “What does he want?” Heather interrupts now.

  “Say, are you two intentionally driving me up the wall?” I grumble and earn an annoyed look from the guy sitting in the row in front of us.

  Professor Reynold seems oblivious to our commotion as he’s too busy listening to his own stories.

  “I’ll happily switch seats with you,” I mumble in his direction, having a spark of hope he might accept my offer.

  When he simply averts his gaze and returns his attention back to the lecture, I see my chance extinguished by a wagging middle finger.

  “Would you like my seat?” I ask, addressing Heather.

  “Then you can satisfy your curiosity in peace and quiet.” My voice literally oozes sarcasm.

  When I think that this here will now be my Friday schedule, I’d like to change courses immediately.

  Instead of answering me, she pushes a chocolate bar with a nougat cream filling toward me.

  “Are you trying to bribe me?” I want to know, grinning at her.

  She shrugs and returns my grin. “Maybe.”

  “You really are amazing.”

  “What can I say, that’s me.”

  In the next moment, Blake places a tanned hand on my notes and leans over to me.

  “So?” His incomparable scent envelopes me, making my heart beat faster.

  Honestly, so far, I’ve never met a man in my life who even comes close to smelling as hot as him.

  Equally tart and sweet at the same time. Masculine and somehow dangerous. A walking aphrodisiac on two legs.

  I carelessly slide his hand from my stuff, grab my favorite pen – call me cheesy, but I’m just into those little fluffy unicorns – and thoughtfully tap it against my forehead.

  “H’m?”

  He ignores my dismissiveness and skillfully steals the pen from my fingers.

  “Hey,” I quietly protest, trying to take the pen back from him, unfortunately, to no avail.

  “When do you have time?” he asks.

  “I do not need private lessons. The professor knows the subject … uh, quite well,” I manage to say.

  Blake raises a dark eyebrow and looks at me skeptically.

  “I appreciate that you try to stand up for that old coot, but the fact remains, Reynold is a loser when it comes to teaching.”

  “You are welcome to switch to another course, one that meets your requirements, Mr. White.”

  “I like it when you talk to me in that naughty tone,” he whispers.

  “Why don’t you just switch classes if you find this subject so boring?” I ask, ignoring his teasing.

  “The subject doesn’t bore me, the professor does,” he corrects me and places my beloved pen against his lips.

  “What’re you doing?” Involuntarily, my eyes cling to his mouth.

  “You’re avoiding my question, meaning, I’ll have to resort to more drastic measures.”

  “And what does my pen have to do with it?”

  He gives me a dirty grin. “If you do not answer me,” he murmurs and pauses for dramatic effect.

  “Than what?” I inquire impatiently.

  “Then your treas
ure here,” he skillfully moves the pen through his fingers, “will experience terrible things.”

  My eyes widen in disbelief. “Are you fucking serious?”

  What am I asking so stupidly?

  I trust the guy who’s sitting next to me grinning from ear to ear and treating my property like a trophy, to do just about anything.

  The situation is so absurd, I almost want to burst out laughing.

  “I have a few useful books in my room …” he says encouragingly.

  “Fine then. I’ll borrow one of your great books and read it. Now, can I now have my pen back please?”

  “And an hour of your valuable time,” the fluffy unicorn abductor demands brazenly.

  “Now what does he want?” Heather whispers in my ear.

  As I’m in desperate need of a big piece of chocolate, I tear the packaging from my bribe and gleefully bite into it.

  “I tell you later,” I mumble.

  “Okay,” I state once my blood sugar level is halfway under control again. “But not one minute longer.”

  “I can live with that,” he replies with a smirk and shortly after, pushes the pen into my hand.

  It’s unbelievable that I let him blackmail with my own damn pen.

  Emilia gave it to me last year as a birthday gift and since it was the only gift that came from the heart, I’ve guarded it like a little treasure ever since. Now it is one of my favorite possessions.

  “… work on those questions for the next class,” Professor Reynold’s monotonous voice pulls me from my reverie.

  Great.

  My first lecture and I haven’t the foggiest idea what was covered.

  In the future, I will look for a single seat, far away from the pair of nags next to me.

  “I’ll see you at home,” Blake announces cheerfully.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I grumble.

  But before he disappears, he quickly leans down and without warning, plants a fleeting kiss on my mouth.

  While the guys roar and whistle appreciatively, the girls break out in hushed gossip.

  And what do I do?

  I freeze for a few seconds like a pillar of salt before I dreamingly place my index finger against my lips and stare after him like a lovesick puppy with my heart beating wildly.

  “So, it’s on record: I want to know EVERYTHING,” Heather demands excitedly and pulls me out of the auditorium. Past the prying eyes of our fellow students.

  Who would have thought the psychology lecture would still be so interesting?

  And I don’t mean the boring professor who obviously was the only one who didn’t want to blow his brains out listening to his everlasting monologue, but Brooke.

  Naturally, I deliberately signed up for the same course as she did. But I’m sure she has figured it out, which makes the whole thing even more interesting for me.

  “And? Was it worth it?” Carter wants to know as we cross the campus.

  His plaintive tone is not lost on me, but I deliberately ignore it.

  Lately, he’s acting like one of those sensible monastery students, who just can’t help but get on everyone’s nerves with their drivel.

  “You really want to hear the answer?” I ask, raising a brow.

  “No, I guess not,” he mumbles.

  “But since I’m still your best friend, I have no choice but to be there for you.”

  “You don’t have to and you know it,” I reply and smile.

  “To be blunt, I’d be grateful if you’d just stay out of it.”

  “And let you destroy yourself?” he scoffs. “Forget it!”

  Actually, I should have known he wouldn’t give up so easily.

  Carter is the most stubborn guy I know, yet a small part of me keeps denying it.

  My gut tells me he will continue butting in until the bitter end and my instincts are never wrong.

  It will go on until one of us gives in or until the game is over.

  That begs the question, who has more endurance.

  A smug smile forms on my lips.

  The answer is right there.

  “Hey.” He half-heartedly punches my upper arm.

  “What’s the reason for that smug grin?”

  “Isn’t there always one?”

  “I don’t want to spoil your good mood, but you should unconditionally take a look at this.”

  Something in his expression tells me it isn’t about some hot chick.

  I turn my head in the direction he’s pointing with his chin and discover Brooke and her nosy little girlfriend standing in a corner of the parking lot. But that’s not what Carter is referring to.

  A tall blond guy is standing in front of them, seemingly blocking their way.

  While her friend does her best to talk sense into the guy, Brooke merely stares at him, utterly pissed off, while she leans against the wall, her arms crossed hostilely in front of her chest.

  If looks could kill, the bum would be a pile of misery already lying at her pretty feet.

  I could continue, pretend not to have seen anything. But just the thought of leaving her to deal with that guy herself, makes me want to throw up.

  Yes, he seems harmless, and yes, she is quite capable of handling herself, but fuck!

  She’s not just anybody and I wouldn’t be me if I stay away from her.

  “Let’s go,” I turn, addressing Carter and then eye my target with deadly precision.

  At the last moment, he grabs my arm and prevents me from going at the guy like a madman on the hunt.

  “Are you sure you want to get involved? Those two seem to have the situation under control.”

  “Yes, dammit,” I growl impatiently.

  “Either you get your ass beside me or stay here and watch the spectacle from a safe distance. The choice is yours. I, on the other hand, will not stand idly by while some guy harasses two women.” My gaze is resolute and challenging.

  Annoyed, Carter exhales before shoving a cigarette between his lips and nods at me.

  Countless students, including some men, loiter around the parking lot.

  Why the hell doesn’t one of them care about the scene taking place in their immediate area? How ignorant can those losers be?

  Just before we reach the two, the situation grows more intense.

  For now, the blond hulk has his arms on either side of Brooke, trapping her and pushing his body against her.

  A threatening growl bursts out of my throat when I clearly see the peckerhead too near her.

  Each muscle in my body is tightly wound to the point of exploding and ready to do whatever is necessary.

  “Come on, sweetie, don’t be like that,” the retard slurs at her, visibly drunk, and briefly leers too long at her perfect breasts.

  “Ya-know-ya-wan-to,” he babbles and lowers his head.

  That motherfucker isn’t really going through with it! shoots stunned through my mind.

  “Blake, don’t,” Carter next to me insists, putting one of his big strong hands on my shoulder and determinedly tries to prevent me from doing what I plan on doing. But I have already broken free of his grasp.

  “FUCK!” I yell furiously as my fuse blows.

  I cross the remaining distance in only a few steps, grab the guy by the neck, and shove him against the wall before he can put his mouth on her soft lips.

  Brooke’s friend gasps in shock, whereas Carter, annoyed, snorts, which, at the moment, I don’t care about.

  I move my face close to his and look at him full of hate.

  “She. Belongs. To. Me.,” I growl menacingly and tighten my grip.

  “If I see you in her vicinity one more time or if you so much as look at her, you’ll wish you had never met me.”

  He wheezes pitifully and gasps for air under my grip, but I don’t let up, not even for a second.

  “Do we understand each other?” I ask quietly, ice cold.

  I’ve reached the limit of my patience; it’s as thin as a thread. He only has to make one wrong move for me to l
ose it.

  So what does this idiot do?

  He smiles at me.

  ME.

  “Admit it,” he squeaks painfully out for he can barely breathe. “You also want to screw this little chick here.”

  His grin widens, becomes nastier when he looks in Brooke’s direction, and suggestively licks his fucking lips.

  The vein at my temple starts to throb fiercely as I clench my jaw and narrow my eyes threateningly.

  Fury turns to pure hatred and displaces whatever last shred of self-control I had.

  “Don’t do it,” Carter’s calm voice reaches my ear.

  “He’s not worth it. And you don’t need any trouble either.”

  He makes no move to stop me, simply just stands there, calmly smoking his cigarette to the end.

  I throw him a quick look. “Sorry, but I cannot help it,” I mumble before turning back around, releasing my hand off his neck and without warning, smash my fist into his face.

  His head snaps back and smacks the wall full force, providing me with a little satisfaction. He utters a soft curse and holds his nose.

  Blood freely drips unhindered between his fingers onto the gray asphalt beneath him and puddles in uneven patterns.

  “I hate repeating myself,” I growl, grabbing him by the shirt with one hand and pushing him away, sending him stumbling. “And now fuck off before I forget my manners.”

  He throws one last glance at Brooke, who’s been watching the scene with indifference, before he disappears around the next corner, cursing loudly.

  “We should get out of here,” Carter says, looking seriously at me. “Now,” he adds bossily since I am not moving from the spot.

  “In a moment.”

  My eyes are only on her as I smoothly approach her and pull her close to me in one fluid motion.

  Her warm soft body nestles perfectly against me as I close my arms around her and gently prop my chin on her head.

  Her pure feminine scent enters my nostrils and instantly easing my tension somewhat, which, in turn, allows me to breathe easier.

  “Are you okay?” I whisper in her hair so that only she can hear me.

  She places the palms of both hands on my chest and pushes me a bit away.

  “What was that just now?” Her look is accusatory and her expression betrays her feelings about my behavior.

  Fuck.