Joking
Tamara POV
It had only been a few minutes since I had come to know that Matt was my mate, and in those few minutes, Angel was prancing inside me like she had launched a circus. But me—I was furious as hell. If you bottled my fury at the moment, it could charge a bloody thermonuclear plant.
Matt had ignored me, disliked me, kept me at distance every moment of our lives together. And when I had gone back to my parents, he didn’t bother to meet me? Like hell I would accept him now. I was deeply hurt. I needed a new start, away from his toxicity.
But this damn mate bond. It was pulling me to him like a magnet. My heart was tugging me toward him, and Angel wanted to roll in his scent. Geez, I needed a solid plan to keep away from him.
When I entered the herbology class, I sat down near a group of boys and girls. The entire row was full and so Matt had to find another seat. This was the plan. I would stay away from him as far as possible. With so many students around me, he wouldn’t mess.
I smiled at the students beside me nervously, and to my astonishment, two boys who were beside me also smiled. “Hey beautiful!” said one of them.
I collected my mouth before it dropped to the floor. “H–hi!” I said nervously.
“I’m James, and you?”
Before I could say anything else, the professor entered. I tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and looked forward. But the shock that followed was like a lightning bolt. My professor was none other than Tulip Montana. Oh. My. Goddess. What the hell was happening here? Matt was my student, and Tulip my herbology professor? I gaped at her as our eyes met. She stared at me for a moment with eyes full of disgust. Please goddess, don’t make my life turn from bad to worse. What did I do to you to deserve these two in my life?
Just as she was about to start, Matt stormed into the class. He froze in his spot seeing Tulip, his face looking like a wrecking ball crashed through his stomach. Tulip’s lips lifted into a smirk, and she gestured to him to join the class with a delicate wave of her hand.
Matt took a deep breath, shook his head, and his eyes searched for me. The moment they landed on me, his lips lifted, but the next moment, he let out a low growl when his eyes went to the boys beside me. He strode toward me, and my belly coiled in tension as to what he would do next.
Before he could reach me, Tulip said to him, “Hurry up! You can sit in one of the seats in the last row. I have to start with the class.”
Ignoring her completely, Matt came to me. He glared at James who was sitting next to me. James got so flustered by him, that he collected his books, mumbled something and walked to sit in the last row, while Matt coolly perched beside me on his seat, a grin spreading on his face. Then he sprawled himself, like he owned the place as he threw one arm behind my seat and threw a smug look at Tulip. Why did it feel like he wanted to make a statement to Tulip? I really needed to know what was going on here.
A blush rose on my cheeks as I heard giggles from the students. “What are you doing?” I hissed at him as Tulip glared at us with her arms crossed across her chest.
“Sitting beside you,” he replied with a smirk. “Saving you from those vultures,” he said, jerking his chin toward James. James hardly looked like a vulture. If at all, he looked like a rabbit eating grass.
I sighed, “Look-”
“If the little drama is over, should we start with the class?” Tulip’s voice interrupted me.
A few snorts and giggles followed and I snapped my mouth shut. Tulip, or should I say, Professor Tulip started with the class. Entire time she was more focused on Matt and me, and less on the subject. Unaware of what he was doing, Matt brushed my shoulder with his fingers, ensuring that for the whole time, jolts of electricity sparked in my body, and also ensuring that Tulip saw this. It was like he was staking a claim on me.
Keep your hands to yourself, I growled at him in a low voice.
“Hmm? What baby?” he said in a loud voice. “Did you not follow her?”
Heat rose to my cheeks and I flushed hard. “I did?” I mumbled. But I knew what he was doing. He took strands of my hair and rubbed them between his fingers, often smelling them. My heart raced wildly. I strongly needed to focus on my studies, but all I could feel was Angel dancing inside me, wagging her tail, and purring. I let out a rough breath of exhale. exasperated.
As soon as the class was over, Tulip picked in her
frin–s
Joking
“Sorry, I was rudely interrupted last time,” he said, chuckling and glancing at Matt.
“Jesus, she is beautiful!” his friend exclaimed. “Did you win some beauty competition, girl?”
Matt’s expressions darkened. His hands curled into tight fists, and it seemed like steam came out of his ears and nostrils. I ignored him and laughed softly. “No, I didn’t.”
James laughed too. “So…” He glanced at Matt. “Are you guys together?”
Whoa! I didn’t know what to say, but I guess this was my chance to make friends. I opened my mouth to say something when Matt interjected with a solemn face, “Yes, we are together. Like very close. We actually grew up together. We stayed together all the time. So yes, we are together and we know each other pretty well. More than you can think of.” He got up and leaned forward so that his face was close to both of the boys. In an intimidating voice, he added, “By the way, my name is Matt Erikson, and I’m very good at warding off devils from Tammy. Even if I have to use fancy methods.”
James lifted his eyebrow. “Tammy?” he said, taking a step back. “And what fancy methods are you talking about? Are you threatening us?” He was genuinely intimidated.
“Stop it, Matt!” I plead, placing my hand on his forearm.
Matt calmed down immediately. His lips curled up and he straightened. “Well, fancy methods are not needed.” He curled his arm around my shoulder. Then in a 180–degree turn, he said, “I’m only joking. Relax.”
It didn’t look like a joke. “Matt!” I snapped.
He looked at me and winked. “As long as Tammy likes you, I like you.”
James gave me a tight nod. Then along with his friend, he walked out of the class, muttering, “Nutcase!”
As soon as they were out, I jerked away from Matt. “Wacko! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“What I should have done all the time,” he replied simply.
1 huffed, picking up my book and laptop, and stormed out of the class. Obviously, Matt followed me. However, I stopped in my tracks when I saw Tulip standing only a few feet away.
“Matt Erikson,” she barked. “I’d like to see you in my office!”
Matt narrowed his eyes at her, as ugly jealousy rose in my chest.
