Rose's POV:
She snorted, "Oh so you're not even gonna make an effort to hide you flirting. Very subtle."
He laughed, an easy, genuine sound with a shrug that said Guilty as Charged.
"But, for the record, not all of it was flirting, you know." he looked as if he was genuine.
My brow raised on it's own account, tilting my head in curiosity. "Oh?"
He smiled then—a softer, more sincere expression—as he extended his hand.
"I figure if I'm going to keep embarrassing myself with these attempts, you should at least know who I am. Hi, I'm Leonardo Cruise. You can just call me Leo."
I shook his hand, but the moment his name left his mouth, a chuckle slipped out of mine. "Leonardo Cruise?" I repeated, biting back a grin. "No offense, but your name sounds like it should come with its own action movie trailer."
He laughed again, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that was entirely too endearing. "I've heard worse. But that's a new one."
At least he had a sense of humor about it. That was something.
When I didn't immediately respond, his expectant gaze reminded me I hadn't introduced myself. "Oh! Sorry. I'm Rose. Rose Gabrielle."
His grin widened as he repeated my name, and for a fleeting second, I thought it sounded better coming from him.
Keep it together girl!
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Rose," he said, his voice warm. "So, you're new here? Haven't seen you around in the last month and a half since classes started."
Oh, great. That means he's in my year. Which also means that minx Ariadne probably is, too. Fantastic. Just what I needed: a front-row seat to her theatrics for the foreseeable future. Let's hope she doesn't have the same major as mine.
As for this one... well, I wouldn't mind terribly I suppose if I see him in all of my classes.
Nope brain not helping.
"Yeah," I said with a nod. "I'm starting today. I was actually on my way to the dean's office before... well, you saw the whole ordeal. That was some welcome by the way."
Leo raised a brow, his grin turning playful. "Ah, the infamous Ariadne initiation. Word of advice? She's not the only one like that around here. A lot more drama queens are waiting to cross your path."
"Oh great, more queen-bees at my tail to shed off, just what I was looking for." I groaned dramatically, rolling my eyes. My gross over reaction eased a nice sound of chuckle out of him.
He gestured toward the building. "Want me to show you to the dean's office?"
"Oh, no, it's fine. I don't want to bother you."
YES, I wanna bother you.
But I shouldn't say yes overly quick, would seem pretty desperate, wouldn't it. Coy has it's own perks.
"It's not a bother," he said with a shrug. "It's on my way to class, anyway. And trust me, I'd feel better knowing you didn't get ambushed by another Ariadne on your first day."
His grin was disarming, and despite myself, I smirked. "Well, I think I could handle them just fine. But... I guess I'll take you up on that offer. Nobody minds a bodyguard name Leo."
His expression lit up, and with an exaggerated sweep of his arm, he said, "After you, my lady."
"Cheesy," I muttered, shaking my head. But I like it.
Leo snorted, before I could enjoy that sound that came out because of me then catch what he said next, something else stole my attention entirely.
A sleek Lamborghini glided into the parking lot, its glossy surface gleaming under the sunlight.
Normally, my focus would have been on the car itself—a damn fine machine—but this time, it was the driver who held me captive.
The man who stepped out wasn't just anyone.