Tracy strolled in and yawned, wiping her eyes. “God, what a night.”

“Mhm.” Jennifer glanced at her roommate.

“You ought to give Steve another chance.”

“Where did that come from?” Jennifer turned off the hairdryer.

“He’s really not an asshole,” Tracy began. “I still think you’re perfect for each other.” She headed into the shower.

If you only knew, Jennifer thought and turned on the hairdryer again.

“I still don’t understand you,” Tracy grumbled as they stood in the elevator. “He’s a nice guy.”

“Then you go out with him.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Lay off, Tracy.”

“But...”

“—But nothing. Leave it alone, I don’t like the guy.”

Tracy pouted the rest of the way in the elevator, playing with her keys. She let the silence build between them until they stepped into the bright morning sunshine. “Couldn’t you give him a chance?”

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Jennifer groaned. “I don’t want anything to do with him.”

Tracy slipped into the driver’s seat of the Jaguar and turned the ignition.

“What did you do last night?” Jennifer asked, focusing the conversation on Tracy.

“We had fun.”

“I’ll bet,” Jennifer said. Steve’s smile came to mind, making her insides feel like a pile of warm silly putty. She didn’t hear a word Tracy uttered, her mind miles away until Tracy turned onto Fraternity Row. “Where are you going?”

“Sorry Jen, I promised Billy I’d pick him up this morning. His car is on the fritz again. He said you could ride with Steve.”

Jennifer looked at her. “Why doesn’t he ride with Steve?”

Tracy shrugged and pulled up to the curb. “Sorry Jen, I need to bring him to the shop before we go to get our schedules.”

“Great fucking friend you are,” Jennifer said under her breath as she got out of the car.

Bill and Steve sat on the front porch of the frat house. Bill’s lips pressed into a thin white line and he shot to his feet, scrambling down the stairs at the first sign of Tracy’s car. “Thanks for understanding, Jen.” He glanced at Steve with a nod and slid into the passenger seat.

“I guess you need a lift,” Steve said, shifting his gaze to Jennifer.

“Apparently.” She glared at Tracy’s car as it pulled away from the curb.

“Car’s this way.” He turned, heading toward the parking lot. She followed Steve and slid in the passenger seat when he held the door for her. “Sorry about last night.” He shut the door and walked around the car, slipping into the driver’s seat.

“No apology necessary,” Jennifer said. “How’d you hook up with the frat boys?” She gestured at the house.

“I was in the same fraternity at Yale. I figured it was probably better than off campus. At least I’d feel like I was a part of something again.” He looked up at the house. “Now I’m wondering if that had been a good idea or not. There isn’t much privacy here.”

She smiled and he turned over the ignition but he didn’t put the car in gear right away.

* * * *

The storm of emotion swirled within him, and being this close to her just increased the velocity. He stared at his hands, gripping the steering wheel before letting his eyes wander in her direction, taking in the tan legs and the hem of her white skirt, slowly grazing her until their eyes met. Electrifying heat took hold. With a deep breath, he dragged his eyes away and backed the car out of the parking spot.

Something about the determined set of his jaw prompted her to ask, “Are you all right?”

He nodded but didn’t look her way.

“Stop the car.”

The car swerved to the left. His eyebrows arched and his lips slightly parted, surprised by her sharp tone. Steve jerked the steering wheel back in line, correcting the car’s trajectory and settling back on the proper side of the road. “Why?”

“I don’t want to ride with you if you’re gonna to shut me out.” The anger in her voice matched the spark in her eyes.

“Are you acting right now?”

“Stop the damn car.”

He pulled to the curb and she shot out onto the sidewalk. He slammed the gears into neutral, set the brake and ran after her, grabbing her arm and spinning her around. “What are you doing?”

“Leaving you alone.” Jennifer yanked her arm from his grasp.

Steve grabbed her again and pulled her close. “Maybe that’s not what I want.”

“What exactly do you want, Steve?” She shot up at him, her eyes fiery and frustrated.

He kissed her hard and pulled away. “You.” He let her go and stormed back to the car, leaving her breathless.

“You sure have a funny way of showing it,” she called after him.

The car rolled away, leaving her standing on the sidewalk. He parked less than a block away. “Get in,” he said when she marched by the car, heading in the direction of the school.

“No,” she snapped over her shoulder.

“What the hell do you want from me?”

* * * *

She stopped and turned. The rightness of being with him hit her like a physical blow, silencing her because everything she wanted to say just wasn’t enough. His blue eyes locked with hers, knocking her senseless and at the same time fueled her, making her feel alive and vital.

He pulled the car up next to her. “What do you want, Jen?” he asked, softer this time.

A powerful combination of fear and wanting flashed in his eyes, making him seem vulnerable and sexy.

“You’re not ready for what I want.”

“Then tell me, what the hell do we do now?” He kept her intense stare. “What do we do?” he asked again, throwing the car in neutral.

She shook her head. “I don’t know.” She took a deep breath and slipped into the car. “But next time you kiss me, you better make it last a hell of a lot longer than that.” The slow sexy smile spreading over his face made her shiver and impossibly hot at the same time.

Steve slid the car in gear.

“You better wipe that grin off your face before either Tracy or Bill sees it. That’s a dead giveaway.”

He obliged and put on his moody expression. “Better?”

“Yes and no.” She suppressed a grin of her own. “I like the sexy smile.”

“Ah,” he replied. “I’ll have to remember that.”

Jennifer was quiet for a few minutes. “Tracy was a little pushy this morning. She wants me to give you a second chance.”

Steve glanced sideways. “Bill said I was a fool.” They pulled into the student center and he put his game face back on. He opened the car door for her, shaking his head. His expression looked tight, annoyed to any onlooker. His eyes surveyed the parking lot and landed back on her.

“You’re quite the actor, you know.”

“I have to be in my line of work.” His eyes went a little wider at the admission.

“And what line is that?” she asked stepping onto the asphalt.

“I’m a law student.” He headed into the student center without waiting for her.

Jennifer shut the door and watched him walk away. He studied his surroundings with sharp eyes, drinking in every detail, and it hit her. Not a lawyer. Jesus, he’s here because of the murders. Oh my god, he’s a cop? She ran up to him and caught his arm. “Are you working now?” The steady glare he gave her made her drop her hand and step back.

“I’m going to pick up my schedule.” He opened the door, ignoring her question. His eyes never stopped moving.

“Are you?”

“That is none of your concern, Jen. As far as you know, I’m enrolled here,” he answered, and breezed past her.

She stopped in her tracks.

Steve approached the desk and retrieved his schedule. Studying it, he strolled in her direction, his lips pursed. He looked up and met her glance. “Start acting, babe.” He walked out the doors.

Jennifer closed her mouth and approached the desk. Moments later, she had her schedule and wandered out the same direction Steve had gone. She found him sitting on a bench, reviewing his schedule.

Steve squinted up at her with a scowl. He motioned for her to sit down next to him. “I can’t discuss this with you,” he finally said without looking at her.