OFF GUARD

Part I

All eyes were on her as she stopped before Room 114, which was at the end of the hallway. Everyone here knew it was Hadrian Bancroft's room, but none of them knew who she was.

Not a surprise, Gabby thought, doing her best not to fidget, conscious of how everyone was still staring at her. Weren't they going to look away?

The seconds ticked by.

Shit, she thought. She didn't have time for this. She really didn't.

Slowly, Gabby took the key out from her pocket.

There were gasps all around her – no one bothering now to pretend they were not taking in her every move. She almost winced as the people let out another gasp when the key worked and the door opened easily. Well, of course it would work since Hadrian had given her the key himself.

The room was spacious and had its own en-suite bathroom – typical since this was the most luxurious dorm in campus. It was dark, though – and this was not typical since it was already three in the afternoon.

She spied his supine form on the bed. After switching the lights on, she jumped on the bed and landed on her knees. "Hadrian!"

Nothing.

"Hadrian," Gabby growled, shaking her best friend by the shoulders – hard. "Wake up! I need you to drive me!"

Hadrian grumbled something under his breath, flipping over to lie on his stomach. As if that was not enough, he also firmly buried his face in his pillow. His long muscular form was barely covered by the thin white sheet and because they had been friends for long, she knew he was naked underneath.

The fact didn't bother her, though. Women generally went crazy over Hadrian but not her – never her. He just wasn't her type. He was simply Hadrian, her best friend for years.

"HADRIAN!"

He didn't stir.

She shook him fiercely until he was forced to open his eyes. "What?" he demanded grouchily. His blue eyes had an irritated glint to them, but it was barely visible under the dark brown locks of bed-mussed hair.

If it had been anyone other than Gabby, he would have shouted, scowled, and said a few choice words that would have sent a grown man running away in tears. But he didn't because this was Gabby – the only person who mattered to him.

Making an effort to control his temper, Hadrian pushed himself up on his elbows. A little more awake now, he saw Gabby on her knees next to him in bed, hands on her lap as she stared at him, chewing her lip. She was the tiniest thing, with clouds of ebony black hair falling around her shoulders. She wore a pretty lacy frilly blouse, buttoned up to the neck, paired with a black skirt that had inched up, baring her silky long legs.

He was tempted to let his gaze linger on those legs. In his dreams, he had those lovely legs wrapped around his waist as he sank into her and took her virginity.

Unfortunately, he wasn't sure at all it was possible for those dreams to become reality.

"Well?" he demanded when she still didn't say anything. "What is it?"

"I..." Gabby released her lip then chewed it again.

"Gabriela," Hadrian growled.

Instead of answering him, she threw herself on the bed next to him, lying on her back. He turned to her, leaning on his elbow as he lay on his side. Seeing the worry on her face, he demanded, "What the hell's wrong?"