Hardin and I decide just to grab something quick at the campus cafe since my appetite is still not back, especially after my run in with Neil. I order a coffee and a chocolate chip muffin, but Hardin insists on buying it for me.

"Here, you go," he says as he places the tray in front of me.

"Thank you." I smile.

"How was your second class? Any trouble?"

"No, just the usual gossiping. How long will this last?"

"Well, if you would just let me beat the shit out of Zed we could be done with it."

"Hardin..."

"Tessa..."

"Anyway... I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Is this a good something?"

"Actually, it is."

"Ok, spill it."

"I have an interview tomorrow with a book store. I've been meaning to get a job for awhile. This is my favorite store, so when they had a position available I had to jump at the chance," I excitedly tell him.

"That's great, Tess. I can drive you to the interview."

"You don't have to."

"That wasn't a question." He smirks and I roll my eyes.

"Okay, that'd actually be really great. Thank you."

"Of course, now finish your muffin. You've barely eaten today."

"Ok, dad."

"Don't start with that, either," he chuckles.

"You're sick," I giggle back. "I like this."

"What?"

"This." I make a gesture moving my hand between us. "Us. It feels so natural, like it's always been this way."

"We were inevitable." He gives me the biggest smile.

"Being romantic again?" I raise my eyebrow.

"Call me romantic one more time and I'll carry you to the bathroom and have my way with you."

"Hardin! Not so loud."

"Well, stop calling me romantic," he tries to say with a straight face.

"Okay. You're romantic, but you still have your edge. Better?"

"And don't you fucking forget it," he says and I burst into laughter.

My laughter is cut short when I notice more girls whispering about me. "Hardin, can we please leave now?"

"What? Why?" he asks, turning to look behind him. "Ignore them, Tess."

"Please?"

"Okay." He grabs my bag for me and guides me out the cafe door.

As we're walking through the corridor, a group of guys with skateboards whistle at me and add, "Oh, yeah! I'd like a piece of that!"

Before I realize what's happening, Hardin has the lead guy of the group who made the comment pinned to the wall. His fist is ready to connect with the guys face when I gently try to pull him back by his arm.

"He's not worth it, Hardin. Let's just go," I beg.

Hardin lets the guy go, but shoves him into the wall hard and slams his body into the other two guys as he walks between them.

"Come on, Tess," he says as he reaches for my hand. He practically has to drag me away from there because I am in shock.

"This is never going to stop, is it?" I'm trying to hold back my tears.

"It will get better."

"No, it won't." I stop in the middle of the hallway. I don't budge, even when Hardin yanks on my arm to get me to move.

"Tess?"

"I don't think we should be together right now, Hardin."

"What?" he gasps.

"Being together isn't a good idea right now."

"And why not?" He sounds worried.

"If you stay with me I'm just going to drag you down with me."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I don't want what people think about me to start affecting you."

"Tessa, I don't give a damn what people think of me!" he shouts. "Look at me, Theresa." He pulls my chin up to look at him. "I didn't wait this long to finally be with you just to have you run away from me."

"But Hardin-" He cuts me off.

"No. You just said how right this is. No one else is going to take anymore time from us. We are getting through this, together."

"You really mean that?"

"Damn straight I do. From now on if anyone else gives you shit you are just going to tell them to fuck off. And if you can't do that, I will."

I can't help but let out a giggle.

"What's funny?"

"I don't want to say." I blush.

"Tell me," he gently demands as he forces me to look at him again.

"Um..."

"Yes?"

"This side of you, how protective you are of me and how confident you are that you want to be with me..."

"What about it?"

"It's kind of turning me on." I go beet red.

"What?" he chuckles.

"Yeah. It's sexy." I continue to blush.

He grabs my hands and says, "You know, my offer of taking you in the bathroom still stands."

"Hardin! Don't make fun of me."

"Well, now that I know what turns you on..." he says as he pushes my hair behind my ear. His touch sends shivers down my spine and I suddenly become aware we are in the middle of the school hallway.

"Maybe later you could be all protective and confident, you know, when we're in private," I say as I play with the zipper on his leather jacket.

"Are you coming onto me, Theresa?" He smirks.

"No..." I lie.

"You are," he starts to whisper in my ear. "I like this side of you," he continues to whisper and again, he gives me shivers.

"Stop," I say as I gently shove his shoulder.

"Later then." He winks and I try to hide my face.

"Okay," I say quietly, but smile at the thought.

Hardin drops me off at my next class. I only get through it by thinking of Hardin's advice. I'm not sure if I can tell anyone off, but just thinking I can and will helps me get through the class.

After my class, I'm waiting for Hardin to drop me off at yoga after changing into my yoga clothes.

"What are you wearing? Those pants are something else," Hardin says from behind me.

"Thank you..." I say shyly.

"A few hours ago you were coming onto me, now you're all shy?"

"No," I squeak.

"You are definitely wearing those pants tonight when I'm being all 'protective and confident' for you."

"Okay," I squeak again.

"You are the sexiest woman, Tess. I'm so lucky to be with you," he says as he nuzzles into my neck.

"Hardin..." I moan and then look around to make sure no one heard me.

"Don' t worry. There will be plenty of time for that later." He winks.

I spend the entire yoga class trying to focus, but instead my mind keeps wondering to Hardin.

I'm really nervous about moving forward with him, knowing his level of experience compared to mine, but I can't deny the chemistry and passion between us.

I look forward to spending the evening with him and promise myself I won't overthink anything and instead I'll just let what happens between us happen.