When I noticed the seat behind her was empty I couldn’t stop myself from taking it. Which was stupid because then I got a whiff of her scent, something that smelled like rain, yet there was a hint of something sweet in it. I don’t know, I can’t fucking explain it, all I know is it made my dick even harder than it already was.
As class started, I became curious how a blind chick was going to do what we all did, but somehow she did, and she did it well. When we pulled out our books she pulled out hers. Hers looked a little different and I watched her, intrigued, as she followed along by skimming her delicate fingers along her book. I peeked over her shoulder and saw there were bumps on her pages. When Mr. Wesson had asked for someone to read the formula out loud, and she put her hand up, I watched in fascination as she read with her hands. And the sound of her voice was like a punch to the fucking gut. It was soft, sweet and the most innocent sound I have ever heard in my life.
After class was over she waited until almost everyone had left before she stood up to walk out. My dick had done another jump at the sight of her classy sundress that showcased long, toned legs and hugged a tight, lithe body. For a slender girl she had the best rack I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen my share.
Mr. Wesson had asked if she wanted assistance but she declined it. She walked slowly, yet she was confident in her steps. She lightly skimmed her fingers over certain things as she passed them, like the walls or lockers, and I would see her lips move slightly as if she were counting.
It was intriguing and I couldn’t stop thinking about her all fucking morning. I swear everywhere I went I could still smell her. So at lunch, for the first time in years, I went into the cafeteria to eat, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. I sat at the far back with Jimmy and the guys, and watched her walk in with her arm linked with her crazy-ass friend Cece. They went and sat with exactly who I expected them to sit with. The rich assholes who thought they were better than everyone else. Only again, what I saw of Emily Michaels is not what I expected. She smiled politely to the people who talked with her, but she never engaged with any of them. Her body language spoke like she would rather be sitting anywhere else, which fascinated me even more.
I didn’t see her for the rest of the day, that is until I walked out of the school after talking with Mrs. Johnson, the guidance counselor, to see that prick Prescott pressing her up against the car. At first glance I thought they were fucking around, and for the first time in my life a foreign feeling took root inside me. I’m pretty sure it was jealousy, which is fucked up because I don’t get jealous. I don’t give a fuck about anyone enough to get jealous, yet, for some reason, with her I did. Except then I heard her screaming for him to stop, and that jealousy turned into rage. My body is still wound lethally tight, and I wish I had knocked that motherfucker’s teeth out like I threatened. If he fucks with her again then I will. Scholarship or not.
I didn’t think I could become any more intrigued than I already was with Emily Michaels, but I was wrong. After our brief meeting I’m even more curious about her, especially after her comment about how she would rather be known as the blind girl than the Governor’s daughter. What the hell did that mean?
I get pulled from my thoughts when I drive up to work. I park my bike in my usual spot then walk into Hector’s garage.
“Hey, there’s our college boy,” Hector, my boss, bellows from across the garage.
I grunt and ignore his proud smile, not wanting a big deal made about it. Even though it is. It’s not often a kid who grows up on this side of the tracks gets to go to college, but I busted my ass in school, praying I would get the chance because I knew it would be the only thing to get me out of this hellhole and away from my useless parents. Only a few more months. “Hey, Hector. Sorry I’m late.”
“I almost sent a search party out for you. You’re never late,” the older man says, waiting for an explanation.
“I got into it with Prescott and thought I was going to have to kick his ass.”
Any easiness my boss had earlier vanishes. “Now don’t go getting yourself into trouble after working so hard on that scholarship, boy. Especially with someone like Prescott. You know his father will cause you nothing but trouble.”
I know he’s just looking out for me like he always has, but it still has my back going straight because I don’t like anyone telling me what to do. “Yeah, well I don’t give a fuck what his dad tries to do, and if they’re smart they won’t do anything about it. Otherwise the entire city will find out about him trying to force his dick in the Governor’s daughter.”
Hector’s eyes go wide. “Governor Michaels’ daughter?”
“Yeah. Why, you know her?”
“Not personally, no, but I know of her. I’m surprised to hear she’s going to your school. She’s blind.”
I shrug. “She didn’t seem to have any problems. She got along fine, just like the rest of us.”
The older man’s eyes narrow in suspicion. “Oh yeah? Tell me, is she as beautiful as she looks in the papers?”
I didn’t know about her being in any newspapers but I guess she would be. Like I said, I don’t follow that shit.
I don’t answer him, but he still sees the answer in my eyes. He expels a breath and shakes his head. “Ryder, don’t you go and mess with her now. I know you’re a good boy, but their side won’t see that. They only see where you come from and I have no doubt her father would bring the wrath of hell down on you if you get involved with her.”
I have no illusions about where I stand with Emily Michaels. I know she is way out of my fucking league. Not because of her money or who her father is, but because of who she is. After our meeting I realize she’s as sweet and innocent as she looks. Way too innocent for the likes of me.
I nod at Hector but know I’m lying. I know we can never have anything, but I can’t leave her alone. Not yet. Not until my curiosity is filled. Although, I have a feeling I could find out everything there is to know about Emily Michaels and it still won’t be enough.
Chapter 4
Emily
“Are you ready for this, girl, or what?” Cece asks excitedly as we speed through the night in her convertible, heading to the beach party that happens every year once school lets in.
“Yes, I’ve been intrigued ever since you told me about it.” Though as curious as I am, there is really only one reason why I’m going, and that’s in hopes of running into Ryder.
A week has passed since the Kyle incident and my first meeting with Ryder. Since then he has made brief appearances throughout my days. It turns out he sits right behind me in trigonometry, the one class I now look forward to every day, all because I will get to be near him. I will get to smell his clean, masculine scent that wraps around my senses and makes my heart beat faster. I will get to hear his deep, smooth voice that always sends a low flutter in my tummy when he greets me as he takes the seat behind me.
I don’t know what it is about him, but I fear I have become obsessed and I can’t seem to help myself. I’ve been craving to know more about the mysterious bad boy who everyone has an opinion about. Because boy do they have an opinion. I have never heard one person be talked about by so many people in my life. The guys made very few comments and you can tell they were careful about what they said. I asked Jimmy Newman, who happens to be in a few of my classes, about the rumors one day, because I heard if Ryder associates with anyone it’s him, but he said that Ryder doesn’t associate with anyone. He said he’s the kind of guy who likes to keep to himself, doesn’t do any attachments, and he was someone you didn’t screw with. Which is something I had already heard from Cece. It amazes me to hear how many people fear him. I know I don’t know a lot about him, but from my brief encounters with him he did not seem threatening. I guess, when I think back to the way he was with Kyle, he was, and boy did he do it well, but that was for good reason.