Tame the Beast (Ever After #1) Read online

  “How about this one?” Clara asked as she held up a murder mystery. “It has a great twist.” And will kill any chances of thinking about getting it on with Mr. No Good Player, her thoughts added.

  The movie choice did not matter because halfway through, the girls found themselves lost in popcorn and conversation. “So I have to ask,” Clara began, “Why all the pink?”

  Rose laughed. “It was a phase I went through thanks to my two aunts. Aunt Ava made a big deal about how little girls should be showered in pink, so just to piss her off, Aunt Daphne would dress me in blue or green, or any color that wasn’t girly. Over the years, it just stuck.”

  “So did Aunt Ava help you shop for your dorm?”

  “You got it,” she replied with a winked.

  Clara chuckled and wondered what it would have been like to have her mother help prepare for college. “You’re really close to your aunts, aren’t you?”

  “Of course! When my ma found out she was pregnant with me, she knew she couldn’t do it all on her own, so she moved in with her sisters.”

  “What about your dad?” The moment the question left Clara’s lips, she wanted to take it back.

  Rose seemed unfazed as she replied, “Actually, I’ve never met him. My ma never talked about him except to say he was a good man. But My aunts had other words to say.”

  “I’m sure,” Clara said, keeping her tone sincere. “I’m sorry, by the way.”

  “Don’t be. I was raised by three wonderful women who love me. Maybe I’ll meet my dad one day, but if not, it’s his loss.”

  Clara felt inspired. She wanted to be as bold as Rose. The girl always seemed to see the bright side of things. “You’re right,” she said. “It is his loss.”

  The movie credits rolled on the screen, but the girls were engrossed in toasting to everything from family to taking chances. Clara even felt brave enough to open up about losing her mother, and like a faithful friend, Rose was there to cry on.

  “Hey,” Rose said, “I will always be here for you.”

  “Thanks,” Clara replied as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. It was silly to get so emotional, but there was one thing she was certain about, Rose was the type of friend you kept for a lifetime.

  * * *

  The first week of classes flew by, and Clara found herself waiting in the library for Adam. He was late, and she was growing impatient. Adam promised to be there by noon, but it was twenty after by the time he strolled in. Clara would have been angrier if he hadn’t snuck in two cups of coffee.

  “I know I’m running late,” he said in a hushed tone, “but I brought a peace offering.”

  “You wouldn’t need a peace offering if you were here on time. Honestly, Adam, what’s the point of making plans if you’re not going to keep them?”

  “I know. And I would have been here on time if it wasn’t for Olivia.”

  “Your girlfriend,” Clara stated with a little hostility.

  “Not my girlfriend.” The look in his eye was too seductive for Clara’s taste. “In fact, she never was. We dated a little over the summer, but she’s far too clingy. I’ve been trying to get her off my back for weeks.”

  “Finally managed it?” she asked, surprised by the attitude in her tone.

  “Hope so,” Adam joked. “And honestly, I’m annoyed it took so long.”

  There was a lingering look in his eyes that sent Clara into instant defense mode. She didn’t care how stunning his eyes were, or how blue they looked. They would only storm on her sunny day. “Why don’t we just get started with your classes this week? Okay?”

  To her relief, Adam agreed, and they dove into the many requirements Adam would need to pass the semester. While Adam seemed overwhelmed, Clara was eager to begin. She was a freshman to his junior, and yet, she enjoyed the challenge of helping someone meet the standards of an upperclassman.

  They were knee deep in the requirements for one of his business courses when Adam asked for a break. He claimed he needed a moment to clear his mind before it hit overload.

  Adam leaned in closer. “So, you never said what you were studying.”

  Warmth rose in Clara’s cheeks. Despite the warnings, she found herself gravitating in his direction as she replied, “I know.”

  “Oh, is that how’s it’s going to go?” he asked. “Let me guess. You want to be a teacher.”

  Clara wrinkled her nose. She had the highest respect for the profession, but it wasn’t for her.

  “No?” Adam asked. “How about a nurse?”

  Again, Clara shook her head. Adam inched closer with such skill she wouldn’t have noticed his movements if it weren’t for the warm breathe that brushed her cheek. At this distance, unnerving and intimate, Clara could see the clear desire within his eyes.

  “I bet you’d have a great bedside manner,” came his husky whisper.

  The heat rose in her cheeks. He was trying to rile her up, make her feel vulnerable. A small part of her enjoyed the effect he had on her. From the way his gazed bounced from her eyes to her lips, she knew she had the same effect on him. She wanted to give in, feel the full desire his eyes promised. A few more inches and she would no longer have to fantasize about how his lips would feel on hers or what kind of pleasure those sly fingers were capable of. All she had to do was let him make his next move.

  Her eyes narrowed, keeping the small distance between them. There was a hint of cockiness in her tone as she said, “You’ll never know.”

  Before he could reply, or close the space between them, Clara turned back to the table.

  “Time to get back to work,” she informed him, leaving him staring at her with a confused look on his face. She withheld her smirk and reminded herself not to fall for his tricks. A fantasy was one thing, but she would not be so stupid as to let it drift into the real world. Still, a small part of her enjoyed playing his little game. But it’s not worth the broken heart.

  * * *

  Clara busied herself with Adam’s school papers. He sat beside her, mesmerized. One moment she was accepting his advances, and the next she was back to business. The small distance should have unnerved her, but instead, there was playfulness in her eyes he had not expected. It was clear he had overestimated her quiet beauty.

  “So what’s the last class you’re taking?” she asked.

  “Huh?” he asked, too busy wondering how playful she would be in other areas. Shaking away the tempting thoughts, he said, “Principles of Microeconomics.”

  Clara grimaced. “I hate to say it, but you might need to get a real tutor for this one.”

  “You won’t have to worry about it.”

  “What do you mean? You said you needed a tutor—”

  Adam cut her off before she talked herself out of their deal. “I’ve already taken this class. I’ll do fine. I just need you to make sure I stay focused.”

  Clara’s thin brows scrunched together. “But if you’ve already failed it than you need someone who knows what they’re doing.”

  A warm smile spread across his lips. He enjoyed watching those brown eyes flicker back and forth as if trying to put together some mysterious puzzle. It was almost as enjoyable as her feistier side. Wanting to light up those embers again, he asked, “Do you doubt your abilities?”

  “No,” she replied in a far too serious tone. “Just knowing my limits. I mean, come on, I’m just a freshman.”

  “A freshman with the highest scholarship.”

  “That doesn’t make me qualified.” Curiosity sparked in her eyes again as she picked away at the puzzle. “Why choose me anyways?”

  “Because I trust you.”

  “But you hardly know me.”

  Adam released a long breath. “My mother is the dean of this school. If I go to the tutoring department, it would be way too easy for her to check in on me.”

  Clara slowly nodded her head but didn’t reply.

  “And for the record,” Adam began, “I
never said I failed the class.”

  “But why would you need to retake it?”

  Adam considered his options. He knew he should tell Clara the truth. He would get huge brownie points for being honest. On the other hand, he wasn’t confessing that sad movies made him cry. No, his truth would show Clara the worst in him, and for some reason, he wasn’t ready for that. It was one thing to have a reputation. It was another to own up to it.

  Instead, Adam opted for a partial truth. “My mother doesn’t think I passed the class on my own.”

  “Why not?”

  “Doesn’t trust me,” he said with a shrug.

  Clara slowly nodded. Adam was sure she didn’t fully understand, but she was too polite to push it further. Instead, she wrote Adam a list of things she expected him to do before their next session.

  “See ya later, Teach,” Adam called as they exited the library and went their separate ways.

  He made sure to send Clara a wink, enjoying the way she blushed and turned away. Adam was getting to her. He could see it in the way she looked at him, the way she tested him. Clara was playing her own game, whether she would admit it or not. Adam didn’t mind. He enjoyed the challenge, and it would make winning her over that much more satisfying.

  Adam thought about all the ways to tip her scales in his direction as he walked towards his old apartment. Luke had the patio door wide open the moment Adam turned the corner.

  “How was your tutor date?” Luke asked as he handed Adam a cold beer.

  “Interesting,” he replied honestly.

  The rest of the guys greeted Adam with one loud cheer from the kitchen before returning to their game of beer pong. With no walls between the kitchen and living room, there was more room to party. It was one of the things Adam loved about owning the apartment and another reason he was so pissed for having to give it up.

  From the looks of it, Deacon was in the lead by three cups. Corin huffed and puffed on the other side. He was always a sore loser.

  “What do you mean?” Luke asked, pulling Adam’s attention away from the game.

  Adam plopped down on the leather sofa and kicked his feet up on the sturdy coffee table. Luke fell beside him.

  Adam took a long sip of his beer before he said, “Not sure yet.”

  Luke stared wide-eyed. Adam knew he was not making much sense, but he was still trying to figure Clara out. He would not admit he was losing his mind over a girl. It wasn’t Adam’s style.

  “What are you two ladies gossiping about?” Marcus asked from across the room. He stood near the center of the pong game, although everyone knew he was rooting for Corin. The guy was half of Corin’s height and probably Corin’s biggest fan. Adam never trusted either of them, but they were always down for a good time and that was enough for Adam to keep them around.

  “Adam’s date with Clara,” Luke answered in a far too excited tone. He knew Luke was baiting him. If Luke could get Adam defensive, he might slip and say more.

  “It wasn’t a date,” Adam announced before the girlish ohhhs could commence, but he was too late. Marcus didn’t hesitate to taunt him while Deacon actually looked interested.

  “You’re right,” Luke teased. “Clara is tutoring him.”

  It was like setting fuel to the fire.

  “But who’s going to translate when she uses big words?” Deacon taunted.

  Marcus made crude, thrusting motions as he asked, “When does the student become the teacher?”

  Their coarse laughter filled the room as they all joked at Adam’s expense, but it did not surprise him one bit. Their entire friendships were built on demoralizing each other the best they could. Corin was the only one who made no remark. In fact, he looked downright pissed.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Adam asked him.

  Corin shrugged his large shoulders. He looked like he wanted to tell Adam off, but something held him back. “Nothing, man. I’m just surprised she went for it.”

  The harsh tone of Corin’s voice rubbed Adam the wrong way. His nonchalant words didn’t match the anger in his eyes. Adam refused to hide his own irritation as he eyed Corin. “If you have something to say, then say it.”

  “Okay.” Corin puffed out his chest as he accepted Adam’s challenge and stormed into the living room. “I think she’s too good for you.”

  Adam rose from the sofa. Corin was slightly larger, but that wouldn’t stop Adam from putting Corin in his place. He knew the guy had a thing for Clara, but this was just ridiculous.

  “And what?” Adam challenged. “Think she’s better off with you?”

  “I know Clara.” Fire blazed in Corin’s dark eyes. “We went to school together. So I think I know her a little more than you do.”

  “I think you’re pissed that I’ve gotten farther with her in two weeks than you did in all those years of knowing her.”

  Adam’s words enraged Corin further. With one long, stride he was in Adam’s face. “Watch it, Beaumont. We both know she could do better than you. And it won’t be too long before she realizes it. You’re never serious, so just back off.”

  “What makes you think I’m not serious about her?” Adam asked, allowing a smug smile to cover his face. They all knew Corin was right about Adam never being serious with a woman, but the fact that it angered Corin was far too amusing, especially when the vein on his neck bulged to the point of popping.

  “Oh yeah? Tell me, who’d you go home with the night of the party?”

  An awkward silence settled in the air.

  Luke made a noise that sounded like someone hit him in the gut. Deacon wisely exited the room. And Marcus almost choked on his laugh. They knew Adam hooked up with Olivia. Corin was calling his bluff about being serious, but Adam was damned if he was going to give in.

  “Don’t pretend like you’re any better. Or do you want to talk about who you hooked up with?” Adam asked, recalling the pretty blonde wrapped around Corin’s arm that night. The tension around them grew heavier as the power shifted towards Adam’s corner. “Next time you want to jump down my throat, I’d think about the leverage you really have against me. I’ll have your ass out on the street before you even have the chance to tell Clara, or anyone, what you think you know about me.”

  “Are you threatening me?” Corin was so close Adam could feel the heat of his anger radiating off of him.

  “No,” Adam replied with a steady tone. “Just reminding you of your place.”

  Corin’s chest rose as fast as it fell. It was not the first time the two wound up in a heated argument. In fact, Adam was surprised no punches had been thrown yet. Corin was known to have anger issues, but the guy also recognized a losing battle.

  Without a word, Corin stormed out to the balcony, cigarettes in hand. Marcus was on his heels, ready to patch up his bruised ego.

  “Damn, Adam,” Luke said as Adam slumped to the sofa. “You know how to take a guy out.”

  “He started it,” Adam replied and sipped his beer. He didn’t care how childish he sounded.

  “Yeah, but would you throw him out?”

  “The guy’s a hothead, but he’s not stupid. He knows it’s better to have me as a friend than an enemy.”

  “Would you throw him out?” Luke repeated.

  “Hell no.” The guy could commit anything short of murder before Adam threw him out. “He’s paying top dollar for this place, and if my mother decides to take away my inheritance, I at least have some cash to fall back on.”

  “True.” Luke still seemed suspicious of Adam’s outburst. “So what’s really the deal with Clara?”

  Adam met Luke’s hard stare. His friend wasn’t going to take some bullshit answer. Adam never got in a near fistfight over a girl. Although, Clara wasn’t just some girl. She was a woman who showed up on his campus doorstep and then had the nerve to give him those tempting fuck-me-eyes and the cold shoulder.

  “Truth?” Adam asked. “I’m not sure. But I’ll let you kn
ow when I figure it out.”

  Luke eyed him carefully but nodded rather than push things further. “Does that mean you’re not coming out with us tonight?

  “Thought about it. But I figured it was best to play this one safe. Next week I’ll casually tell my mother that my new tutor can only help me on Friday nights.”

  “Subtle.”

  Finishing the last of his drink, he asked, “Tell everyone I’m on a hot date?”

  “Of course,” Luke replied without missing a beat.

  Adam nodded with a satisfied smile before fetching another beer from the fridge. He would make up with Corin later by letting him win at a game of pong and praising his ego. For now, Adam had more important things on his mind, like convincing his mother he was not a screw-up and showing Clara a whole other side to himself. The side that was going to make her ache in all the right places.

  Chapter Seven

  “Harper!” Clara shrieked as she raced across the dorm parking lot to greet her sister.

  “Clara!”

  They both bounced with excitement as they embraced each other in a warm hug. It was just over a month ago that Clara left for Beaumont, but it seemed like ages. It was the longest amount of time the two ever spent apart.

  “I’m so excited Dad actually let you come up,” Clara said.

  “I know!” Harper’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement. “Although if he knew you were out partying every weekend … I don’t know if he would’ve let me.”

  Harper meant it as a tease, but it sent Clara into major defense mode. “I don’t party every weekend! Just once in a while. And it’s not really a party. It’s more like hanging out with new friends.” Clara’s brown gazed narrowed on her sister. “I thought you wanted me to go out and live it up.”