Page 8 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

~ELANA ~

“I won’t bore you more than I already have. I’ll see you next Tuesday.” Professor Harold claps, signaling the end of his class. He always does that, then urges people to stay after class to ask him their burning questions. Not me; I don’t have time for the professor’s life stories today.

It’s been five days since my ‘reunion’ with Adrian. I’m starting my internship at Morgan Investments today, but as nervous as I am about it, moving into Adrian’s home terrifies me even more.

I gather my books, trying to blend in with the flood of students pouring out of the lecture hall. The college courtyard is buzzing with activity, students chattingand rushing to their next classes, and then there’s me, wondering how on earth I ended up interning for my childhood crush and moving into his home. I wonder what his place is like. Will it be adorned with opulent furniture or resemble a complete bachelor’s lair? The thought has me shaking my head. I doubt I’d find even a stray sock on the floor of Adrian’s apartment. He’s always been a neat freak, even as a hormonal teenager.

Lilly suddenly emerges from the crowd, her high-pitched voice impossible to miss.

“Elana!” she calls out, waving wildly.

“I was wondering where you are.” I smile, relieved to see that she’s decided to attend classes today. Despite her attendance being patchy at best, she hasn’t failed a single class.

“I was hoping I’d catch you before your first day in the corporate jungle.” She catches up to me, linking arms. “I bet you can’t wait to see Adrian again.” I haven’t told her about the move-in yet, hoping Ethan might change his mind at the last second.

“Oh, I’m thrilled.” I roll my eyes, chuckling. “I can’t wait to dive into the amazing opportunityto bring Adrian coffee cause I’m sure that’s all I’ll be allowed to do.” I spot an empty table and quicken my pace.

“You seem on edge.” Lilly lets go of my arm and sits on the edge of the table.

“Me?” I feign innocence, but my wandering thoughts betray my attempt at composure. Adrian’s face flashes in my mind. Those piercing gray eyes and the how his presence fills a room, pinning you in place. “Yeah, just nerves, I guess.”

“I think it’s called excitement.” Lilly grins mischievously.

“The body doesn’t know the difference.” I shrug with a sigh. “Whatever, it’s just an internship.”

“Say what you want, but I know when you’re smitten.” She gives me a knowing look.

Before I can argue, a voice interrupts us. “Mind if I join you two lovely ladies?”

We turn to find Bryan, one of Carson’s friends, swaggering towards us. He throws his jacket over his broad shoulders and smiles.

Lilly shoots him a glare. “Actually, we do mind unless you got some pudding from the cafeteria. Move it along, Bryan.” Lilly and Bryan hooked up at a partya couple of months ago, so there’s been some weird tension between them ever since.

“Oh, come on.” Bryan smirks, undeterred. “I just wanted to ask Elana if Carson is as good a fuck as he claims.”

“Why don’t you find out for yourself?” Lilly snaps back as she fetches an apple from her bag.

“Feisty.” Bryan grins and runs a hand through his curly brown hair. “Seriously, I didn’t think you’d actually let Carson in your pants.”

My cheeks flush with embarrassment. “What Carson claims and what’s reality are light years apart, Bryan.”

“Oh, get lost.” Lilly rolls her eyes. “Elana doesn’t have time for your nonsense today.”

Bryan chuckles and starts rummaging through his backpack, the muscles on his forearm dancing. “For the record,” he leans towards me as he places a small pudding cup on the table next to Lilly, “I know he’s lying.” He pulls back, taking Lilly’s apple on the way. “I’m a much better option, anyway.” He winks at Lilly, taking a bite. “Seeyou around.”

I scoff as he walks away. Bryan doesn’t share any of thequalitiesCarson possesses. He’s outgoing and friendly. I might even say that he’s actually nice. So why the hell are they friends?

“Don’t let Carson ruin your first day at work.” Lilly puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and I see that she already has the pudding in her hand. “I’m going to get a spoon for the pudding. Do you need anything?”

“No, thanks.” I shake my head as she pushes herself off the table.

As Lilly heads back into the building to grab a spoon for the unexpected pudding Bryan bestowed upon her, I find myself wondering if Adrian will be as intimidating as the last time I saw him. Will he look at me like that again? Like he wants to burn a hole through me?

Something casts a shadow over my salad, and I look up. Light hair, hazel eyes, and a smirk. Carson. He slides into the seat across from me, uninvited and unwelcome. Fuck.

“This seat is taken.” I back up and fold my arms over my chest.

“Still playing hard to get, huh?” When I don’t answer, he scoffs, his gaze lingering on me. “Stop being a bitch and smile.”