And The Beat Goes On by Abby Reynolds Read Free Book Online Page B

me.
    “Well, I’ll see you at school…” I turned away and walked out the door. I didn’t bother speaking to Heather, if she was even still at the bar. She probably brought that guy back to her apartment.
    When I stepped outside, I caught my breath. I had no idea what just happened.
    “I really insist on taking you home.” He appeared at my side, his hands in his pockets.
    “Mr. Clearwater, I appreciate the offer but I can make it on my own.”
    “Do you have a car?”
    “No. I take the tube everywhere.”
    His eyes widened. “Let me drive you.” It was a command.
    “I’m—”
    “The subway isn’t safe. It’s dirty, full of dirty people, and there’s no security down there.”
    “I guess I’m dirty too.” Just because he was rich didn’t mean he could insult me for being poor.
    “That’s not what I meant,” he said darkly. “It’s no place for a young woman.”
    A black car pulled up to the curb where we were standing. It clearly belonged to him. Mr. Clearwater opened the back door and waited.
    “Get in.”
    I eyed him and the car.
    “Please.” His tone was less demanding.
    I wasn’t sure why I was resisting him so much. I just didn’t like being told what to do.
    He stared me down and waited.
    Drawn to him like I was since the moment I saw him, I got into the backseat. He came beside me and shut the door. He pressed the intercom. “Give your address to my driver.”
    “425 Pitcher.”
    “Very well, sir.”
    The car moved forward while we sat together in the back. A black divider hid the driver from view. It was tinted and dark. Even his windows were difficult to see through. Mr. Clearwater clearly didn’t want to be noticed.
    His hand rested on his thigh. I eyed it, wondering how i t would feel wrapped around my hand.
    Mr. Clearwater turned his head slightly, his lips near mine. I stared straight ahead and hoped he couldn’t hear my rapidly beating heart. It was thudding like an explosion in my ears. “Do I make you nervous?”
    “No,” I lied.
    “You make me nervous,” he whispered.
    I did?
    “But I like it.”
    I’m pretty sure he’s hitting on me. But what if I was wrong? Would he really engage his student in a romantic relationship? Not wanting to look like an idiot, I didn’t speak.
    When we arrived at my apartment, I opened the door. “Thank you for the ride.”
    But he always already out of the car and walking to my side. He extended his hand to help me out.
    I eyed it for a second before I took it. My heart rate increased when we touched.
    I was going to have a heart attack if I didn’t get this under control.
    “I’ll walk you to your door.”
    Was that appropriate?
    He entered the building and held the door open for me. I stared at him for a second before I walked inside. Together, we walked up the stairs until we reached my apartment.
    His hands were in his pockets and he stood close to me before I pulled out my keys.
    “It was nice running into you.” He leaned close to me, not decreasing the proximity. As guilty as I felt, I didn’t want him to step away. A sick part of me loved it when he was near.
    “You too.” I grabbed my keys and put them in the door.
    “I’ll see you in class.” He stepped back and adjusted his tie.
    “Yeah…”
    “Have a good night.” He walked down the hallway then headed down the stairs. After I couldn’t see him or hear him, I took a deep breath and covered my face.
    What the hell just happened?

Chapter Nine
    ♬
    Jeremy Clearwater
    I crossed the line.
    I tried to stay away from her, but when I saw her in that bar I couldn’t help it. The dark side of me emerged and I went in for the kill. I couldn’t read her mind, but I thought she was attracted to me too. But I wasn’t sure.
    But she definitely wasn’t the type of girl to date a professor. I could tell that much.
    But I liked her—a lot.
    She was smart, beautiful, funny, beautiful, interesting, and most importantly, beautiful. Girls hated it when guys were