My Bad Boy's Secret: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance (182 page)

"Ava Klein, I need to speak to you after class," Professor Smith said after I walked into class.

"Yes of course sir," I said as I took my seat in the massive auditorium of Hawaii University. I had always moved around. I started life as a young child in Chicago. Then we moved to New York. Then that's when it happened. That's when my whole world changed. That was when I saw it. I never wanted to think of it ever again. After graduating high school I enrolled in the University as far away from my past as possible. I chose Hawaii because of its isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I felt safe here. I felt like no one could find me here. Not even my father who I hadn’t spoken to in over six years knew where I was. Or so I thought. Not to mention the fact that I was living in paradise. Hawaii was beautiful. From its vast blue oceans to its volcanoes, it was unlike anywhere else I had ever lived. I fell in love with it and I wanted to spend my life studying the beauty of its vegetation. I sat in my biology class learning about the plants of the exotic island. It was a passion of mine. Ever since I landed on the island I was fascinated by the amount of vegetation and untouched land that surrounded its native people. I was hooked from the very first day. That is why I was in this particular class. I kept giving Professor Smith a look. I wondered what he wanted with me after class. I had always done well in this class. I was an ‘A’ student. I sat nervously fidgeting my hands together. I could barely even pay attention. Usually I was focused on what he was saying. That's when I saw him.

Because I was not paying attention in class I looked towards the hallway. Lingering outside the door was a man leaning against the wall in a very casual way. He was looking directly at me. I flashed not knowing why he was staring at me so. And in one second I could tell that he was the most perfect man I had ever seen. He had a perfect body, tall and lean. But there was something else… he looked dangerous. His hair was wild, although, it also had a distinct military look to it. Before I could look any further I averted my eyes because I felt a warm sensation creep over my body. The sly smile that he gave me right before I moved my eyes away from his didn't help the situation. I shifted nervously in my seat. Now there were two reasons for me to be nervous. One, the reason Professor Smith wanted to see me after class. The second was this unnerving man… gorgeous, hot, and dangerous… and he was staring at me. I twirled my dark long hair in my fingers. It was a nervous twitch, and it kept my hands occupied. My dark hair matched my dark eyes with my long dark lashes. I was a slender and petite girl, but I didn't let my small frame keep me from taking care of myself. I was very independent.

"You wanted to see me, Professor Smith?" I said as I approached the desk at the front of the class after everyone had left.

"Yes Miss Klein I did want to see you. As you know our field trip to the volcano is in a couple of days. I would like you to lead the class, as you seem to know the most about volcanic vegetation. I think this would be a great opportunity for your resume so that when you are applying for your doctorate program you can use this as a reference to lead your own research projects,” he said as he crossed his arms over his chest with an arrogant gleam in his eye. He always looked at me in that way. Which was always a bit unnerving because he was an attractive and knowledgeable man. But I always tried to think of him as my professor and nothing else. But when he looked at me like that it was hard. And I think he was too.

"Yes! Professor Smith I would love to! Are you sure? Do you think I'm ready?" I said, very excited for the opportunity.

"I do think that you're ready. Ava you're very smart, and you will be ready. Here is a list of the vegetation that I want to go over while we are on the Volcano," he said as he handed me a list.

"Thank you, I won't let you down," I said taking the list from him.

"I know you won't let me down Ava," he said with a wink. It didn't go unnoticed to me that he had used my first name instead of calling me Ms. Klein.

When I walked out of class onto the lush tropical environment of campus, I was so focused on my new assignment, and happy about the wink from Professor Smith that I had forgotten all about the mysterious dangerous man that I had seen in the hallway during class. That was until I felt somebody following me. I quickened my step. I looked over my shoulder repeatedly. But I didn't dare turn around all the way. My heartbeat raced. Suddenly flashbacks of everything that had happened when I was a child came rushing back to me. I had always been living like I was part of the witness protection program moving from place to place. Running away from the nightmare of my past. I always wondered if it would catch up to me. So anytime that I felt like I was being followed or watched, paranoia would race through me.

I was so paranoid that I started running without even realizing it. I was running and looking over my shoulder when, Bam! I hit a wall. Or at least I thought it was a wall. I looked up and straight into the face of the attractive dangerous man I saw in the hallway. I had run straight into his hard chest. His manly scent flooded my senses. My hands rested against his hard muscles. He looked down at me as he towered over me. He had to be at least 6 feet tall. I gasped. I froze in shock. He was even more attractive up close. My eyes roamed over his stature. His broad shoulders and muscular arms were very apparent through his tight gray T-shirt. He had the body of a perfect soldier. His eyes were piercing blue against his tan skin. His square jaw was set in a stern expression. As my eyes trailed up his face I noticed his hair was wild. His haircut was a cross between a military cut and a Mohawk that stood straight up in a messy sort of way. I tried to remember that he was dangerous and following me as my body responded to his presence. My body was betraying me. I should not feel anything for a stranger like him dammit, I took a few steps back ready to flee.

"Ava calm down," he said as he put his hands up in a way to calm me down.

"How do you know my name?" I said in barely a whisper.

"I've been looking for you. I’m so glad to have found you. I was sent to find you."

"You were? Who sent you? Who are you?" I said as I started to tremble and back away. Then he said something that shocked me. He wasn't sent by the people I was running from.

"My name is Zak Flynn. Your father sent me."

"What!?"

"He hired me to come find you. You are in very serious danger, Ava."

"I can't believe him! I haven't seen him in years. I haven't talked to him in years. Please leave me alone I am fine!" I said as I stomped away from him. "I can take care of myself! I've been taking care of myself for years!" I didn't bother to look back as I stomped away but I knew that he was still following me.

I walked fast. I was so angry at my father. I was completely enraged. How dare he intrude on my life after all these years. He was never concerned with protecting me before, so why now? I stomped along campus with these thoughts swirling in my head. I would call the very last phone number I had for him as soon as I got to my apartment. I would give him a piece of my mind. Why was he being so intrusive now? Was this his way of trying to get back into my life after everything that had happened? I would never let that happen. Not after what I had been through because of him. I was lost in these thoughts as I walked along and then I stopped and turned around to see if Zak was still following me. I looked and scanned but could not see him. I felt smart knowing that I had lost him. Maybe he took my words seriously that I did not need him. I did not need to be someone's assignment. I turned and headed towards my apartment. Then my heart sank a little. I was feeling a little disappointed that I might not ever see him again. His image flashed in my mind and I felt my body respond once more to his strong soldier like physique. His wild hair threw me off. He seemed to like the ex-soldier type but not with that wild hair. Not with the look of danger that seem to haunt his eyes.

I turned the corner of my apartment building towards my front door. There sitting on the first step... was Zak. I was at a loss for words. He was casually and arrogantly leaning his back against the wall with his legs stretched out in front of him and his ankles crossed. His arms, strong and muscular were crossed over his abdomen. He looked up at me, in a very wicked way.

"You're not going to get rid of me that easy," he said in an almost playful way.

I smiled on the inside. A part of me was glad to see him again. I liked his persistence. No real man would let a small argument stop him from his assignment. Zak was proving that to me now. Though I still disliked that he was sent by my father.

"Is that so Mr. Flynn?" I said arching my eyebrows at him.

"Yes," he said as he stood up and towered before me.

"Do you have any idea what you're getting into Mr. Flynn?"

"I only know that I have been assigned to protect you."

"You mean paid… "

"That is how it works Ms. Klein."

"Protect me from what exactly?" I asked him knowing what the answer was but I knew that he did not know the answer. It was my secret. It was my father’s secret. No one else knew.

"I am not sure Ms. Klein. But I am sure I will know what it is when I see it. I am trained to know."

"We shall see Mr. Flynn. You may watch me from afar if that is your assignment. But there is no need for you to be in my immediate presence. Now if you well excuse me I would like to go inside and make a phone call."

"Not until I check the place out and make sure it is safe."

I rolled my eyes, "fine. Just be quick."

ZAK

When I first saw Ava, I was not expecting her to look the way that she did, even though I had seen a picture her already. Her father had given it to me when he assigned me to protect her. However, seeing her in person had an effect on me that I was not expecting. Her long dark raven hair matched her dark eyes that held sadness in them. I watched her from afar as she left her apartment and walked across campus. I kept my distance so that she would not see me. Once she entered the auditorium I leaned against the wall by the door watching her. She crossed her thin legs in her seat and nervously bounced her foot up-and-down. She was obviously nervous about something. I walked the halls around her classroom looking for anything unusual. I didn't know why her father sent me to protect her. He kept the details to himself. He said only what I needed to know. He told me that he would not tell his daughter that he had sent me. I would have to be the one to deliver that message. So I waited for her outside the classroom. I stared at her suddenly feeling my body responds to the way that she looked. This would not be easy. I could not let my lust for her get in the way of my assignment. Then she looked at me. Our eyes locked. I saw her flush pink on her soft face. I couldn't help myself but to smile at her in my usual wild way. I had a wild past. I had wild dark secrets. This is why I was now an independent contractor and no longer a Navy seal. I was relieved from those duties because of what I did. I was a wild lustful man but I was soldier first and foremost.

Now that I had confronted her and watched as her bottom lip trembled when I told her who I was, it only made me want to protect her more. So when she dismissed me I left like she had asked. This is usually the way it was. People don’t like having their privacy invaded. Everyone was usually shocked when I told them I was hired to protect them, but I never let it stop me. I definitely wasn't going to let it stop me now, not with Ava. I searched every corner of her apartment to make sure it was safe. I looked in every closet and cupboard that a person might hide. I didn't know who or what was chasing her, but they were usually easy to spot. Bad guys always looked like bad guys. You could see they were hunting someone by the look in their eyes.

"Well Miss Klein it looks like it is all clear."

"Good, then you will be leaving now Mr. Flynn," she said with her lips pressed tightly. I tried hard not to kiss those lips.

"Yes I will be leaving now. But I won't be far. Here's my card. I suggest you keep my phone number where you can easily access it." Before I walked out I gave her body one last look up and down. I couldn't help myself. Just because I was working didn't mean I couldn't have a little fun.

"Wait!" Ava yelled out to me. "Mr. Flynn I don't know anything about you. How can I trust you? Are you ex FBI or Central Intelligence or something?" She asked biting her lower lip and ringing her hands together.

"Neither. I was a Navy seal. The best of the best. You have nothing to worry about Ms. Klein. You are in good hands. You are in my hands."