Romancing the R.A. (Campus Crush series) (4 page)

“Whatever. The guy is seriously hot.”

I know. For the love of Poseidon do I know!

I turn back to Andy, who is deep into his speech now. I want to smack Julia for making me miss it, even if I’m not interested in joining the swim team. He thanks everyone for listening and wishes us a great first semester. As he turns and walks back to his seat, he meets my gaze, just for a second. And a second is all it takes to do me in. I’m so hot for the R.A.

Chapter Four

After the athletic lecture, we
’re all led outside where Andy is waiting to take us on a tour of the dorms. My heart skips at the thought of seeing his room. Is that where he’s bringing us? Or will he show us an empty dorm room so we can envision our own stuff in it?

Julia grabs my hand and pulls me to the front of the group, right behind Andy. He sees me almost immediately and smiles as he continues to point to buildings and rattle off their names. I’m not processing a word. I just stare at his full lips, imagining them on mine. I’m so lost in my daydream I don’t even notice the group has stopped, and Julia has to tug me so I don’t walk straight into Andy’s back. I mouth a silent thank you, and Julia rolls her eyes at me.

He swipes his key card in the slot next to the door. “This is Mercer Hall, one of the newer dorms on campus. As you can see, no one without a key card can get into the dorms, so you’ll all be perfectly safe in your home away from home.”

“Think they make him say that?” Julia asks. “It sounds so scripted.”

I shrug, and my mind goes back to that place, the one that wonders if my entire interaction with Andy has been scripted. How many girls has he flirted with at orientation? There were four orientation dates scheduled in the course of the month, and this is the last of them. It could all be a game to him. Maybe guys don’t grow up at all when they go away to college.

He holds the door for us, his eyes lingering on mine as I step into the dorm. Damn, his look makes my stomach do flips. I hope his feelings for me are sincere because I’m not sure I can make mine go away.

“I wish he’d look at
me
like that,” Julia whispers in my ear as we all crowd around the mailboxes in the lobby.

“The elevators are right there to your left,” Andy says, pointing the way. We follow like a herd of sheep. Dean Decker made a comment about how freshmen tend to travel in packs. I guess this is good practice. “Now, we won’t all fit inside, so we’ll make a few trips. First group, take the elevator up to the third floor. If anyone wants to take the stairs with me, they’re this way. You’ll find walking the stairs is a good way to get in some exercise between classes.”

“Stairs it is!” Julia yanks my arm, not that it’s necessary. I’ll follow Andy just about anywhere.

Andy smiles at me. “Glad to see you aren’t afraid of a little exercise.” He wags an eyebrow, and I wonder if he’s talking about the stairs or…

“Yum, and have I mentioned yum?” Julia is about to turn into a puddle of drool, so I drag her toward the stairs, my eyes glued to Andy’s ass, which looks amazing in those jeans. Yum is right.

Every time we turn the corner and head up another flight, Andy looks back at me. And every time, he catches me staring at his ass. By the way he’s smiling, he doesn’t seem to mind. I’m sure he’s used to it. No guy that hot is oblivious to his appearance or the effect it has on girls.

“So, is this a co-ed dorm?” Julia asks.

Andy pauses at the door on the third-floor stairwell. “Yes. All the dorms are co-ed, either by floor or by wing.”

“What does that mean?” I’m already picturing myself living in the same dorm as Andy. Running into him in the hallway, in the bathroom, in his room…

“Some dorms have girls on even floors and guys on odd. Others, like this one, have girls on the left wing of each floor and guys on the right.”

“Is this your dorm?” I can’t help asking. I need to know if I’m about to walk into his room.

He nods. “I guess you could say I’m bearing all on this tour.” He winks at me before he holds the door open and motions for us to go through.

Julia swoons. “I
wish
he’d bear all.”

I do too, but I shoot her a look and hope Andy didn’t hear her. “Would you control yourself?”

“Why? He’s not into
me
. What do I have to lose?”

How about your best friend?
I don’t want her comments screwing this up for me. “Do I need to remind you that he’s the dean’s son?”

“What, you think he’s going to tell his daddy that a freshman girl was making comments about him?”

She’s right. It was a lame argument. Really I want her to shut up and stop drooling over Andy.

Andy leads us down the hall to a room across from the elevator, where the rest of our group is waiting. “Good, we’re all here.” He turns to unlock the door—I make a mental note that he’s in room 303—and pushes it open.

His room. The place where he sleeps, where he changes…I swallow hard at the mental image.

“If you want to step inside a few at a time, you can check out my room. All the R.As’ rooms, one per floor, are located directly across from the elevators so they’re easy for you to find if you need anything.”

Oh, I need something all right.
Julia elbows me as if she knows what I’m thinking.

“If you have any questions about dorm policy or if you experience any dorm-related problems, you should see your R.A. He or she will come around to make introductions on the first day of the semester.”

Again, Andy sounds scripted. I shouldn’t worry about it. This is his job. It’s different than when he and I talk.

“After you check out the room, you are free to walk around the campus on your own. I believe your schedule is open until dinner. Oh, and don’t forget the social this evening.”

“Social?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s a dance. Well, there’ll be music. Whether you dance or just mingle is completely up to you.” Andy smiles again. What is it about his smile that can make me feel like I’m standing in front of a crowded room with absolutely no clothes on? It unnerves me, while making me feel free at the same time.

“Where is it?” Julia asks.

“There’s an event room on the first floor of this dorm. Just go straight past the elevators. You can’t miss it.” His gaze lands on me.

I’m so mesmerized by him that I don’t even realize Julia and I are the last ones left. Everyone else has toured the room and moved on without us.

“You’re up,” Andy says. “Don’t mind the mess. I’m not the neatest person on the planet.” I can’t help noticing that he didn’t warn anyone else.

Julia gives me a gentle shove, and I step around Andy, brushing his chest with my arm. Tingles spread down to my toes, and I turn to face to him. God, I’ve never wanted to kiss anyone this badly. I know Julia would approve of me grabbing Andy and going at it, but that’s not me. These feelings I’m having aren’t me, either. I’m usually so careful with my heart. I’ve seen too many girls get crushed by guys who supposedly loved them. I don’t know much about Andy.

I force myself to look away, and my eyes land on the swimming trophy on his dresser. “Wow, you must be a really great swimmer.”

“It’s a team trophy, so I can’t take all the credit.”

He’s modest. That’s a nice change from the guys I know.

He’s right about not being all that neat. His closet is overflowing with shoes, and there’s a pile of clothes on his chair. He must catch me staring because he rushes over and scoops up the clothes. “Sorry about that. I was up late, putting in some extra pool time, and I didn’t get a chance to clean up. I overslept this morning so I couldn’t do it then, either.”

“No problem.” I smile.

“What’s your event?” Julia asks, and I can’t help wondering if she even knows what that means. I didn’t think she followed swimming. Sure, she watches the Olympics, but I’d be surprised if she pays attention to anything other than the tiny Speedos those guys wear.

“Freestyle.”

Julia licks her lips. “I would’ve pegged you for the breaststroke.”

Oh dear God! She did not just say that. I want to die on the spot.

Andy laughs, and his shoulders shake. He thinks Julia’s hysterical. I’m glad he isn’t offended. Julia has a way with words sometimes. Something small and blue falls from the pile of clothes in Andy’s hands, landing on the floor.

“I’ll get that.” I bend down, wanting to cover up my red face, and pick up Andy’s Speedo. My heart stops, and not because the suit is still damp from his late night swim. My hand shakes, thinking about how this is all that Andy wears in the pool. Good God am I going to become a fan of swimming!

“Noelle.” Julia motions to the Speedo. “You can give the guy his bathing suit back now.”

My face gets even warmer, and I awkwardly stand, holding the Speedo out to Andy. “Here.” My voice cracks, giving away how embarrassed I am.

“Thanks.” Andy’s eyes stare into mine. Yeah, he knows exactly what I was thinking.

Chapter Five

“Um, we should probably go find the group or something. I’m sure you have other things to do besides babysitting a couple of incoming freshman.” What the hell am I doing? The last thing I want to do is leave, yet my mouth is just spouting these words out.

Andy takes a step closer to me. “I don’t mind at all.”

“Maybe I should be the one to go,” Julia says, starting toward the door. “I can get us checked into our room for the night.”

Check in time is three o’clock, as if we were staying in a hotel or something instead of college dorm rooms.

“Hey, why are we touring the dorms if we’re spending the night in one of them?” I don’t know why it never dawned on me before.

“My dad thinks it’s better for you to see the dorms as they’ll really look once you’re settled in. I guess it cuts down on the surprise when you see where you’re staying for the night, too.” Andy’s gaze is locked on mine like Julia isn’t even in the room.

“Yeah,” Julia keeps edging toward the door, “so I’ll go check in. Great meeting you, Andy. And, Noelle, I’ll catch up with you in a bit.” She closes the door behind her, leaving me alone with Andy. In his room. Still holding his Speedo. Why hasn’t he taken this thing yet?

“I’m sorry about her. She—”

“Obviously knows I’m into you.” His smile widens, and he finally takes the Speedo.

Holy crap is he honest. “Um—” That’s all I’ve got.

“I didn’t mean to startle you. If you want to catch up with your friend, I’ll understand. But you’re welcome to stay and hang out with me.”

My head says go, but my heart won’t listen. “Are you sure you don’t have something else to do? Swim practice maybe?” I motion to the Speedo in his hands.

“No. No practice today. We had a double session yesterday instead. I’m all yours.”

I know he doesn’t mean it like that, but my heart races anyway. “So, tell me more about Timberland.”
Tell me more about Timberland?
What the hell is wrong with me?