Off Limits ✔

16. And I Keep Running

Dedicated to cassiereader21my partner in crime who encouraged me to publish my long-buried story.

I smiled at him, almost grinning. "Hey, you!"

Blake raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by my reaction. "Hey you, too."

"Life is a wonder. I keep bumping into my professor in weird places." I giggled like a schoolgirl. "Not that I'm complaining."

A smirk tugged on the corner of his lips. "Good to know."

As I twirled on my seat to face him, I let my gaze trail down to his figure. He looked so much younger in a casual outfit. And how did a person get hotter each time I saw him? I was openly checking him out, but I didn't care; my dignity could go down the drain for all I cared.

Blake's body wasn't as athletic as Dean's, but he had broader shoulders and was noticeably taller. His slim-fit dark blue shirt hugged his torso perfectly, and it matched the shade of his irises under the bar light. The sleeve fell at his mid-biceps, revealing a small part of dark curves under the hem.

"Is that" — I leaned closer to get a better look — "a tattoo?"

"Yes, it is." He pulled his sleeve higher to show his tribal armband tattoo with identical but mirroring patterns around his left biceps.

"Wow, it's beautiful!"

"Thank you," he mumbled in a husky voice.

Suddenly aware of how close I was leaning to him, I pulled back as the heat began creeping up on my face. It wasn't from the alcohol boost this time.

"I always wanted to get a tattoo," I said.

"Why haven't you?"

For a few seconds, I thought about the reply to his question, but nothing came up. "Not sure, exactly. Just haven't gotten around to doing it, I guess."

"I see. Where do you want to have it on, then?"

This time, I knew the exact answer to his question, but that made me giggle. "Nowhere to be seen when I have my clothes on."

"Oh." Blake smiled, but before he could reply, Tucker was already in front of us again.

"What can I get you?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine, thanks," Blake replied. "I was just on my way to Garry's room."

I raised my glass and wiggled it in Tucker's face, trying my luck. "Yes, please."

Tucker gave me a deadpan look. "Nice try," he said and walked away.

Blake shifted his eyes to Tucker and then to me. "What was that about?"

"I'm banned. I can't order any more drinks here." I moaned with annoyance.

"Why? Because you're almost wasted?"

"No. I'm not drunk. Because Lea said so, or she would cut his balls off." I huffed. "Of course, he's holding on to his balls for dear life."

"I heard that," Tucker said from the other side, but I ignored him. I grabbed my phone from the counter and slipped it back into my pocket when he added, "And you should be grabbing a table and ordering something to eat now."

"Oh, come on! I'm not a kid. Nobody's telling me what to do!" I groaned as I jumped off my seat, but the bar stool was higher than I anticipated, causing me to lose balance once my feet landed on the floor. Blake caught me by the elbow before I had a chance to hit the counter. "Thanks," I mumbled, glancing up at him. Once again, noticing how close our faces were and how sharp his eyes bored into mine, shivers ran down my spine. The soft voice in my head told me to run, but I stayed rooted to my spot.