Chapter 2

When I came back with a glass of water, Ethan was sitting on the couch, looking through the study materials on my coffee table.

There was something surprisingly sexy about how serious and restrained he looked.

I walked over and handed him the glass.

"Thank you." He accepted it politely.

There was something almost magnetic about his smile.

I quickly looked away, afraid to meet his eyes.

"Ask me whatever you like. I'll help with anything I can," I said, pretending to be perfectly calm.

But my eyes kept straying toward the one place I shouldn't have been looking.

I silently scolded myself. Why was my head full of such filthy thoughts?

Ethan seemed to notice my glances and shifted uncomfortably.

I immediately looked away and pretended to listen closely as he talked about his exams.

But my mind was completely blank. I wasn't absorbing a word.

I had to be losing it.

I shook my head hard, trying to clear those images from my mind.

"Are you okay?" Ethan asked with concern.

I waved a hand, flustered. "I'm fine. Just a little distracted."

"Am I boring you with all this exam stuff?" He gave me an apologetic smile.

"No, not at all," I said quickly. "I'm just having an off day."

"Should we call it a day, then?" he suggested.

He stood to leave. As I walked him to the door, I felt an unexpected pang of disappointment.

After closing the door, I leaned back against it and let out a long breath.

That had been more nerve-racking than any exam.

Before I could collect myself, I heard a key turning in the lock.

"Mom, you're back?" I took a deep breath and tried to look normal.

"Did Ethan stop by?"

Mom carried her groceries into the kitchen. "Why did he leave so soon? I was going to ask him to stay for dinner."

"What a nice young man. So tall and handsome, too."

My face flared hot again. I hurried to change the subject. "Mom, why did you agree to let me tutor him without asking me first?"

"Oh, come on. Last time I stocked up on groceries, I had more bags than I could carry. If Ethan hadn't helped, I never would have gotten them all home." Her voice was full of praise. "I already promised him you'd help him study every afternoon."

I opened my mouth to refuse.

But one look at her expression told me there was no arguing, so I closed it again.

The thought of being alone with Ethan every afternoon made me seriously question my self-control.

That night, I kept picturing his handsome, sharply defined face.

There was something incredibly sexy about his youthful energy.