Her Heart's Secret Wish Read Free

Secret Santa thing Gabriela loves so much.” She glanced from side to side, searching for something to distract him, so she could escape.
    “I don’t get it, you know.” He rested a hand on the wall next to her head and leaned closer. “I’m not ugly, and well, you seemed to have enjoyed our night together. Why are you avoiding me?”
    “I’m not the relationship type, you know that.”
    “Give me a chance, I’ll make you change your mind.” He bent over her, his lips aiming for hers.
    She slapped her hand on his chest and forced him back. “Stop, Cohen, please. Don’t make me scream for help.”
    His eyes widened. “I like it when you scream,” he whispered.
    She pushed him harder, with all her strength, but he was way too strong for her. “Stop it.”
    The front door opened, missing Cohen by two inches. She froze, her heart skipping a beat, as Jason stepped inside.
     
     
    The last thing he had expected to see was Natasha in a corner with a guy, right at the entrance of the apartment.
    Disgust revolved in his stomach as his gaze whizzed from her relieved expression to the guy’s mortal stare. Maybe his idea of coming to the party hadn’t been a good one after all.
    “What’s going on?” he asked, his tone cold.
    The guy brushed him aside. “Nothing that concerns you.”
    “Cohen, back off.” She pushed him away from her. “This is Mr. Stone, a professor at the university.”
    “Oh.” The guy stepped back. “Nothing was going on. We were just talking.”
    “I see.” At least his title served for one good thing—to scare away ill-intentioned males. He looked at her, and her cheeks flushed. Embarrassment for being found doing what she was renowned for? He doubted it.
    “We can talk again later,” Cohen said. He glared at Natasha as he retreated into the living room.
    “Thank goodness, you arrived. I wasn’t strong enough to get rid of that creep.” Her delicate brows knitted together. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with your family?”
    “Change of plans.” His tone was as harsh as his disappointment. “I had to stay and saw a few posters hanging around the school. Thought it was a better option than spending Christmas Eve alone.”
    The corner of her lips curled up. “Definitely.”
    Though he tried, he couldn’t ignore just how beautiful and vulnerable she appeared. Her long, brown hair fell around her porcelain face and into a smooth cascade down her back. Her usually energetic green eyes shone with relief instead. She wore red lipstick, which only made her mouth more inviting. The dress hugged her perfect curves, the hemline promising fun things on the other side.
    Jesus .
    Jason shook his head and shifted his gaze away. He’d probably caught her making plans for later, and he still wanted her? His mind was so messed up.
    “You don’t seem so well. What is it?” She stepped closer and her spicy perfume taunted his will.
    He held his breath for a moment and focused. “I’m good.” He smiled at her, transforming into his usual self. The laidback gaming nerd, and fun professor he brought out for his students.
    “Come in.” She gestured to the living room. “The party is starting.”
    Somewhere over the last six or seven months, when their conversations had become more profound and frequent, he had lost his mind. Six or seven months ago, he would never have crashed a student party so he could stare at one of them.
    Helpless, he followed her.
    In the living room, Gabriela came to greet him, then she yelled, “Hey, y’all! Mr. Stone is in the house, so let’s behave.”
    Laughter bounced around the crowded room. One of his gaming students, Aidan, approached him, easily engaging in a deep discussion about games. Death Knight orc, level eighty-five, dual spec in unholy and blood, and his adventures through the new land. Interesting stuff that could get him going for hours. Or even days.
    Not tonight, though.
    While talking about the game with Aidan,