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"Actually, no," Ariana replied. She made a big show of wrenching her arm out of Hudson's grasp, then grabbed the spot where his fingers had been, as if he'd been hurting her. Which, of course, he had not. Palmer's gaze flicked to Ariana's wrist. He glared at Hudson, clearly appalled.
"Is that really necessary, man?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest in a way that made his biceps bulge. Ariana felt a thrill of attraction and forced herself to look at the grass beneath her feet.
"I wasn't. . . . I . . ." Hudson stammered.
"Palmer, can you please walk me back to my dorm?" Ariana asked, forcing a tremble into her voice.
"Of course," Palmer said. Then, much to Ariana's delight, he put his arm around her shoulders in a protective way. He was playing his role to perfection and he didn't even know it. "You're gonna want to leave campus before I call security," he warned Hudson.
Ariana and Palmer turned to walk away. They were a few yards off when Palmer took Ariana's fingers in his free hand and studied her wrist. "Are you sure you're all right? Do you want me to call security?"
Ariana was overwhelmed by his solicitousness. "No. I'm okay. He was just--"
"You can't end it like this, Emma!" Hudson called after her. "I know you care about me!"
A hot rush of anger overtook Ariana as Palmer paused. He had to freaking call her Emma, didn't he? He couldn't just get a clue and let it go. She turned around and shot him a look that would have killed
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a weaker guy on the spot. Hudson stopped in his tracks and he paled. If that didn't get the message across, nothing would.
"Why did he just call you Emma?" Palmer asked.
Ariana cleared her throat, buying time. How to explain this one away? "It's kind of embarrassing."
Palmer smirked. "What? Now you have to tell me."
"I ... I met him when I was out with friends and I could just tell he was creepy, so I gave him a fake name," Ariana lied, looking away as if humiliated by her own behavior. "And sure enough it became this whole big stalker thing. I don't even know how he got on campus."
"Wow. I am definitely calling security," Palmer said, reaching for his cell in his back pocket.
"No. No, it's okay," Ariana glanced over at Hudson, who seemed to be debating which way to go--back toward the gate, or toward her and Palmer. "He's harmless. I actually told him you were my boyfriend, so you coming over was pretty perfect. I think he's gotten the picture."
"You told him I was your boyfriend?" Palmer asked with a teasing smile.
"I had to tell the guy something," Ariana replied, the color rising in her cheeks.
"Well, then, let's make absolutely sure he's gotten the picture," Palmer said.
Then, before Ariana could even absorb his words, he'd grabbed her by the waist and tugged her into him. With his other hand he cupped the back of her head, leaned down, and touched his lips to
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hers. Ariana was so surprised she just melted into him and let him have his way with her for a good half a minute. Everything about him was so self-assured. The way he held her, the way he kissed her, the way his hand moved across her back. He was in charge, and Ariana felt safe. She felt like she belonged in those arms, as if she could stay there all day.
And then it was over. And al
ong with the air between them, the import of what had just happened rushed over her. Palmer had just kissed her. Lexa's boyfriend had just kissed her. Right out here in the open in the middle of campus. Talk about losing control.
But damn, was Lexa a lucky girl.
Ariana's fingers fluttered to her tingling lips. Palmer kept one hand on her waist and glanced toward the pond.
"Yeah, that did it. Stalker boy is on the move," he said.
Ariana blinked. She had forgotten all about Hudson. But sure enough, there he was, hoofing it toward the parking lot. Thank God that was over. And she hadn't been forced to do anything unsavory. He was part of her past, and her past was not welcome here.