Never A Choice (The Choices Trilogy (Book 1)) (7 page)

“No” I manage to speak. Its not loud but it is audible because the room is silent.

“No?” He repeats but doesn’t stop his ascension.

“I didn’t realise it was supposed to be a referenced journal. It’s just a biography.” I tip my chin and hold his gaze. He has reached the end of my row and my heart is thumping so hard I’m sure the whole room can feel it.

“It wasn’t but I expected more . . . where’s your drive Miss Thorne? Where’s your fire? Where’s your passion?” He thumps his fist on the flimsy bench and makes the whole row of students jump from their seats. “Success in business isn’t about wishing and hoping, its about
doing . . .
until your fingers bleed, living and breathing every minute of everyday because if you don’t someone else will. It’s not enough, this . . .” he waves my solitary sheet high for emphasis, “is not enough.To succeed, what you have here . . . is not enough. So don’t waste my time Miss Thorne with prose that is better suited to a Liberal Arts degree.” He holds my paper and tears the sheet in two, then four and continues until the sheet falls to the floor in a sprinkle of tiny white flakes. His dark eyes seem to hold for endless seconds, waiting for my response. Fine, I can respond.

“It’s not fiction. It’s not a wish list. It’s just a list. Its fact not a sob story, just the truth and the fact that you would showcase it and in front of everyone as a flaw, well, Mr Stone . . . no offence, but that kind of makes you an arsehole and if being successful means I have to be more like you, I’m happy to remain flawed and I am happy to fail.” I swear the entire student population took a sharp intake of breath but Mr Stone simply holds my gaze as if we are the only two people in the room. His jaw is tight but he doesn’t look angry, more like he is trying to suppress his amusement. There is something else in his eyes, an intensity I can’t fathom but it’s only a flash and it’s gone and briefly replaced with most breath taking smile I have ever seen. I think my heart stopped.

“Interesting you would choose to caveat your insult.” He places both his palms flat on the bench and leans a little closer. Not that he is anywhere near me but the boy at the end of my row must be feeling his presence like a thunder cloud in the room. “How very polite of you Miss Thorne but I couldn’t possibly take offence when you have revealed that you do have passion after all, tempered as it is.” The way he says the word passion feels weighted and indulgent and it makes the hairs on my neck tingle. I hope I won’t have to speak again because I am struggling to swallow the lump in my throat. He pushes back and stands to his full height. He breaks his gaze with an abrupt turn and begins to walk back to the stage. “Besides I’ve been called worse.” His smile is gone but the whole exchange leaves me stunned and speechless. I let out a deep breath and glancing around, I wasn’t the only one. He returns to the stage and picks up his notes continuing with his presentation as if he hadn’t just bulldozed through my quite little world. Mike leans in and whispers something about not envying me and what’s his problem. I give a tight smile because I think that would be me. I appear to be his problem.

Thankfully the remainder of the presentation proceeds without my unwelcome input but equally there is no other interaction from Mr Stone with any other student. I find myself filling my notebook with some very useful information. I have some business ideas of my own, safety products for ‘off the beaten track’ cyclists and runners which could have multiple uses in healthcare too but have no idea what to do with them. So information on seed funding, grant applications, patents, access to research, access to markets even exit strategy preparation are hugely helpful. I hardly have time for a single doodle in the entire hour. Despite this encouraging recovery from a disastrous start to the lecture I don’t think it’s enough, especially if I have a target stamped to my forehead like I obviously have today. I’m starting to think that I won’t bother coming to the other lectures. I can always pick up the hand outs later and there is no signing in sheet as such, so no one will know.

Mr Stone addresses the room once more. “I feel it is important to remind you that for some of you these lectures are not optional. I
never
miss a lecture and I demand the same courtesy. I very much look forward to the next time.” At this closing statement there is an enthusiastic round of applause as he turns his winning smile to the appreciative audience. It is my turn to scowl.

“Great, freaking great, he’s a mind reader too!” I am grumbling to myself. There is a general scramble to leave en masse. I am trapped high in a row of students that are moving at a glacial pace. Below me there is a huge rush of people trying to vie for the attention of the “wonderful” Mr Stone and the gathering of bodies is large enough to block the exit. The crowd around Mr Stone is easily ten person deep and as I try to push my way past I can hear the sycophantic adoration. The saccharin praises alone, I swear causes a little bit of vomit to make a surprise appearance in my mouth. However sore I am from his attention earlier I can’t deny he is still the hottest man I have seen close up and now is the perfect opportunity to get my sneaky picture.I reach into my bag, grab my phones and quickly determine which one I need. Not a difficult task my one is ancient, barely has the ability to make calls and is the size of a brick and the one Mags gave me which is sexy, sleek and can do everything bar make a cup of tea.

I select the camera bit and press myself into the crowd. I manage to slink my arm into a gap and fire off a few rapid snaps, hoping that I have captured something that does the subject justice. Dropping the phone into my bag I turn after just hearing a particularly vomit inducing summation of why Mr Stone is the most amazing person ever to grace this theatre. The level of brown nosing is quite exceptional. “Urggg.” I grunt as I continue to shoulder my way to the exit. Mission accomplished I reach for the door.

“Miss Thorne.” The voice is familiar but the volume of the boom is not and I freeze, as do the remainder of the occupants in the room. I slowly turn with a slight smile and fake confidence.

“Mr Stone.” To my surprise I manage to sound normal because in my head I am definitely screaming ‘What the Fuck!’

“Any other issues or questions I will address next time . . . that will be all.” He informs those waiting in a tone that brooks no discussion. The room quickly empties and I’m left standing by the door like a naughty school girl. As the last person is about to leave Mr Wilson enters, almost flattening me to the wall and hurries over to Mr Stone.

“Mr Stone, thank you so much, as always, a great inspiration and treat for the students.” Not sure I’m feeling the treat bit at the moment. I sigh, but really quietly, still Mr Wilson turns to me, smiles and lifts his chin in a fashion to encourage my dismissal. This is tricky, he doesn’t know I have been, well I’m not sure what I’ve been . . . yet; but my hesitation results in a click from his tongue and a deep frown. I start to step back, slowly, toe to heal, my heart is racing and I’m holding my breath.

“I have asked Miss Thorne to remain. Is there something you need Jack?” His tone is rude and dismissive.

“Um well, no but I thought you would need to get away, I mean if there is a problem, do you need me to-” Mr Wilson stutters and looks with confusion between Mr Stone and me. I share his confusion.

“No.” Interrupts Mr Stone and I look over to see his heated eyes on me. “I need just a moment of Miss Thorne’s time. I am quite capable of securing the room before I leave so if you wouldn’t mind?” As far as Daniel Stone is concerned this conversation is finished. He certainly hasn’t taken his eyes from mine, not even for a moment to acknowledge my poor head of department.

“Yes, of course I’m in a hurry myself.” The room falls silent with the soft suction of the fire door closing at his departure.

“Your bag Miss Thorne?” He strides toward me until I have to look up to maintain eye contact. I can feel a heat and energy that scares the shit out of me when he is this close, his strong frame, his deep voice and, oh God his smell. I try unsuccessfully to step back, my feet won’t move and I definitely need a bit of distance. I try to clear my throat.

“Excuse me?” My confusion evident in my croaky tone.

“Unlikely.” He replies then a little slower repeats himself. “I said, your bag Miss Thorne.” Although I don’t feel like I understand what was happening, like on autopilot my body responds to his command. My hand slips my bag from my shoulder and places it in his outstretched hand.

“Good girl.” My core clenches at the softness of his voice. I’m thinking how I would like to hear that tone, those words and feel that power over me. I shiver, he is a full on attack to my senses, blocking my field of vision with his firm fit body. Rich exotic aromas of citrus and spice invade my nose and he is so close, my fingers ache to touch. I am losing all my good sense. This just doesn’t happen to me, this can’t happen. I shift and squeeze my thighs together to try and gain some relief from the distracting pressure and heat that’s building. His small smile creases his lips as he notices this movement. He is doing this to me and he knows it and I can’t think straight, he’s too damn close.

“Well Miss Thorne, what have we here?” He sounds smug as he reaches into my bag.

“To be honest, you take your life in your own hands delving in there! You’ve been warned.” I am trying to make light of this, no need to antagonise him further.

“Warning noted, your life in my hands.” His voice is hypnotic but that wasn’t what I had said. He starts to pull out my phones and I feel the blood drain from my face. He holds
my
phone and raises a brow.

“That’s my brick.” I smile. Silence ensues so I add, “It’s my phone, you know, in case of emergency I can call someone or in case I’m attacked I can throw it at them, its heavy. Heavy is good?” Trying for light humour I get nothing, maybe a little tumbleweed rolling down the aisles but not a peek from Mr Stone. In fact his jaw clenched momentarily at the mention of being attacked but just as quickly released.

“So then, this one,” he says holding my sleek new phone. “Is the one you chose to steal my soul?” Is he serious? I made that mistake once already so I’m going to assume yes. He begins to flick at the screen.

“What luck Miss Thorne, no security but then, how hard would it be to guess your PIN ?” He muses but he is smiling now and he quickly accesses the camera function and gallery. He casually holds up my phone to show me the perfect close-up of the quite stunning Mr Stone. However I explain this it is going to look bad. Two scenarios come to mind; I am a pathetic groupie or worse I’m a crazy stalker. Surprisingly that is not the question he asks. “Why do you have two phones Miss Thorne?”

“Well,” I smile too sweetly. “I am pretty sure that that would be none of your business.” So much for contrite, it appears I still have some residual anger and it looks like I’m going for full on confrontation after all. I hold his gaze, willing my body not to tremble. His eyes narrow and they definitely look more black than blue now.

“Alright, why have you taken my picture?” My face flushes seven kinds of red and I can see him holding back a smile. I am so glad my mortification is amusing him. He is having an unwelcome and uncontrollable effect on my body and now he is playing games with me. I no longer care if I was rude, I am angry and need to get out of there. I return his narrow gaze. The door opens and Mr Stone scowls at Mr Wilson, I really feel for the poor man. “Jack I thought I made myself clear?” His voice is cold and stern.

“Quite, you did Daniel, but I really need to speak to Miss Thorne, urgently.” He looks really embarrassed and I am all confused why I’m causing such a problem and I would settle for the ground swallowing me in favour of my earlier under the radar request. I look toward Mr Stone and smile tightly as I back away but I stop and hold out my hand for my phones and bag.

“You won’t be a moment I’m sure, I’ll just hold these until you return.” I hesitate and he grins. “What do you think I’m going to do Miss Thorne?” His grin transforms into a wide stunning smile which I find myself returning.

“Nothing, I’m sorry.” I don’t know how I have gone from anger to contrition so quickly but I continue to smile as I leave Mr Stone with my worldly possessions and meet Mr Wilson in the corridor.

“Mr Wilson have I done something wrong?” I ask tentatively.

“Not at all Bethany, I just wanted to make sure you were Ok. Daniel can be a bit overwhelming and I wanted to make sure you were alright?” His smile is comforting.

“Oh wow, that is so kind, and yes he can be a bit intense but I think we just got off on the wrong foot, maybe a little misunderstanding we are just sorting out. Nothing to worry about, it’s not like he is my actual tutor or anything.” I laugh lightly.

“No I know my dear, but he is heavily involved with this programme so you will probably come across him again outside of this lecture series. So it is best if you can iron out any crinkles now.” He laughs this time and I smile kindly in return but it feels strange on my face as I begin to process what he has just told me.

“Yes of course, I don’t want to cause any trouble, speaking of which I probably shouldn’t keep him waiting.” I nod toward the theatre door.

“No absolutely, in you go, I will see you around Bethany.” He cheerfully remarks as he heads up the stairs.

I walk back into the room but my attempt to keep some personal distance either goes unnoticed or is more likely just ignored as Mr Stone strides toward me again closing the gap to a
very
personal distance.

His lips curl in a knowing smile. “Now where were we? Ah yes why have you taken my picture?”

I pause a moment as my mind races but decide on a mix of honesty and mind your own. “Well, now that may in fact be your business but since I am not going to tell you and I have no intention of attending the other lectures we will just have to add this to the list of life’s’ little mysteries.” I go to retrieve my phone and I think my answer has taken him by surprise as he lets me take them from his hand. Our hands touch briefly and I actually make a physical jump at the intensity of feeling from this simple contact. Immediate, sudden, shocking. I hesitate then quickly turn and go to pull the door handle. In an instant the door is slammed shut with the weight of two large palms either side of my head. His hard body presses into my back holding me in place. He slowly sweeps his knuckles down the side of my cheek and slides his hand under my hair taking it away from my neck. The cool air created only intensifies the heat that is raging through my body, my breath is rapid shallow gasps and I drop my head to the side to give him better access. I feel wanton. His fingers gently trace the curve of my neck round to my collarbone. I bite my dry lips to suppress a moan that’s desperate to escape. He pushes against me his lips lightly brush just below my ear and I think I can feel his erection brush against my arse, through the thin material of his suit. I have never had such a blatant sexual encounter and I guess I should feel shocked but I’m trembling. My head is swimming and thick with too much rushing blood, it could be fear but it feels a lot like white hot desire. I barely hear him whisper.