Free Tame the Beast (Ever After #1) by Allison Smith

possibilities he presented and none of them were good. Needing a distraction she asked, “What do you say we wrap this up and head over to Corin’s? I’m sure my sister and Rose are already there.”
    “Whatever you say, Teach,” Adam replied as they gathered their things and headed towards the apartment.
    Under the moonlight, Clara felt the familiar sense of freedom flow through her. She never thought of a library as being confining, but with Adam around, every enclosed space turned stuffy. The night air was just the fresh breath she needed to focus.
    “So, is it ever weird for you?” she asked. “You know, walking around a campus your family built?”
    “Never. I like being a part of something I know took generations to build.”
    The pride in his voice warmed right through to her heart. Don’t go there, she reminded herself. An occasional fantasy was one thing, but combining it with anything else would be foolish. They were friends and only friends. Keeping herself in check, she smiled wide as she said, “And walking around like a mini-celebrity must be nice.”
    Humor flashed through his eyes. “It has its perks.”
    “Well, make sure you wrap it up,” she teased, feeling bold. “Or you’ll start the next generation sooner than planned.”
    Adam’s surprised laugh echoed around the campus trees. “You sound like Luke. And don’t worry.” His voice softened as the corner of his mouth rose to meet a very suggestive wink. “I always do.”
    Her heart skipped two full beats, but she shook it off with a laugh, trying not to focus on the image his heated words created. Her nerves danced around her stomach and she caught herself wondering what it would be like if he were the dating kind. At times, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. He made her want to be carefree and experience everything life had to offer without the fear of consequences. If it wasn’t for the Grade A jerk he became when the masses arrived at any party, it might be worth a chance. But Clara knew better. His need to be Big Man on Campus trumped everything else, and that was not a chance her heart was willing to take. This good-humored, sometimes sweet, beautiful version of Adam was only available during their slow walks through campus.
    * * *
    The music from Adam’s old apartment was blasting through the walls as he and Clara entered the building. He wasted no time in getting them both a drink. As expected, Rose and Harper were already there. Adam took a long look at Clara’s sister. She was traditionally beautiful with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He immediately recognized the similarities between the siblings, not to mention the facial expressions.
    The energy that buzzed from Clara to Harper was amusing. Harper had a charming presence, which captivated those around her, but it was nothing compared to Clara’s natural beauty and quick wit. Watching Clara prance around the party with her sister by her side only made Adam want her more. The duo played off of each other like a well-rehearsed skit, something he was sure they perfected at the expense of their parents’ sanity.
    Double trouble, he thought, shaking his head.
    “You’re not planning to seduce them both, are you?” Luke teased as he and Deacon joined Adam in the kitchen.
    Adam laughed into his beer. “Yeah, like Clara would ever allow that.”
    “And that’s stopped you before?” Deacon asked with a raised brow.
    “Would you want to try?”
    “To take on Clara?” Deacon’s brow arched higher. “Yeah right. It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for. Something tells me she’s feistier than she lets on.”
    “You have no idea,” Adam agreed before taking another slow sip of his beer, enjoying its spicy taste.
    “You’re hooked,” Luke said, smiling like a damn fool.
    “No,” Adam replied, but as the word left his lips, his eyes searched for her. “I just like a challenge.”
    “Uh-huh.” Luke wasn’t convinced. His gaze