Saving You, Saving Me (2 page)

            “Sam?” Dr. Green’s voice interrupted my almost naughty thoughts of Collins.

            I whipped my face so quickly from staring at Collins McGregor to Dr. Green’s questioning face, I almost had whiplash. “Yes,” I muttered, looking first at my hands and then at Dr. Green.

            “Well,” she said smiling. “You’re in. You start this week. They had a peer volunteer who had to quit because she had to go back to college. They’re understaffed and could really use your help.”

            “So when do I start?” I asked, shaking images of Collins McGregor out of my head.

            “This Friday. They’ll give you the orientation first and start you off with a practice call,” Dr. Green said. “That’s what Gail told me. You should get a packet in the mail in a few days with all the information.”  Dr. Green smiled a big Cheshire cat smile. “So, what do you think?”

            I threw up my hands and shrugged. “I’ll give it a try, Dr. Green.  Thank you for getting me in so fast. I’m sure if you hadn’t been involved, I wouldn’t be starting this Friday.”

            “Oh, it’s nothing,” Dr. Green said. “I really think you have it in you to do this, Sam. You have to let me know how it goes…” She stood up, and walked to the door, signifying the end of our meeting.  I stood up, smoothed out my navy pleated miniskirt, my soft pink ruffled blouse, and tucked my long wavy dark hair that came loose around my face, behind my ears, and walked out.

            “Oh, wait,” Dr. Green’s voice called. I turned around, and she handed me the young adult center’s brochure. I raised the brochure and nodded, turning around to head back outside. “Oh, Sam!” Dr. Green called. She walked towards me with my white cardigan. “You forgot this.”

            “Thank you,” I said.  Now I was going to be late for class if I didn’t hurry out. I rushed out and bumped face first into something hard. When did a wall get put up outside the counselor’s office? Then I lost my balance and landed on my butt, everything flying out of my hands as I tried to stop myself from falling harder.

           
M
y hair fell forward, covering my face while my legs sprawled out in front of me, knees bent. My hands were flat on the ground, arms straight out, pushing my chest forward.

            Gentle hands pulled at my arms, as a warm but firm voice asked, “Are you alright?”

            I tried blowing my hair out of my eyes, but my long dark waves were too full and heavy to move. Strong fingers gently tucked my hair behind my ears and I looked up to see those icy blue eyes staring into my green ones. “Hmm?”

            “You bumped into me and fell,” Collins McGregor said, his face just inches from mine. Up close he was much more gorgeous than I could have imagined the president and founder of a music company should look like. His skin was flawless and tanned; his jaw strong. He smelled good - an intoxicating mix of musk and vanilla. He was young, too – probably only 24 at the most, a few years older than me. His eyes bore into mine with concern. “Are you alright?” his sensual lips asked again. “Anything feel broken?” His fingers gently touched my elbows. “If you give me your hand, I’ll give you a boost up,” he said, straightening his long legs up from his bent knee position.

            I reached up to give him my hand, but realized as his eyes briefly skimmed my body that my skirt had hitched up high enough to reveal my panties. Oh my God! My face burned red with embarrassment as my hand shot out to pull my skirt down. Of all the days, why did I have to be caught wearing my favorite ones, totally unsuitable for any guy to see me in – heart-covered boys-style underwear. “Crap,” I muttered. “Tell me you didn’t see that,” I whispered blushing profusely.

            Collins McGregor hid a smirk as he innocently said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He reached up and grabbed my waist, pulling me up off the ground and into his strong arms. Again, I was facing him, except I had to tilt my head up higher to look into his face. He was at least a foot taller than me. He looked down at me, his eyes amused. “Well, Miss…”

            “Sullivan,” I said. “Samantha Sullivan.”

            “Miss Sullivan,” Collins McGregor said. “Now that I see you’re able to turn bright red with very little provocation, I must assume you’re alright.”

            “That I am,” I said smiling. I smoothed down my skirt, cursing it for not clinging enough so that it wouldn’t ride up as it did. Great, so the first and probably only impression I had for Collins McGregor was that of me flashing him in my boy-style underwear. “Ah, thank you for helping me up, Mr. McGregor,” I said.

            It was Collins McGregor’s turn to blush. “Oh,” he said quietly, “you know who I am.” His eyes went from interested friendly to frosty in an instant, guarded, as he said a little more stiffly, “I trust you don’t make it a habit to bump into people.”

            I felt the ice in his voice like chips that cut through my skin. What happened to the friendly handsome young man who had just helped me up?  “No, I don’t,” I said, matching his tone of voice.  His face looked surprised, almost shocked when he registered what I said. “I only make it a habit to run into people’s chests when they stand so rudely in front of a closed door so whoever comes running out can’t help but barrel into them.”

            Collins McGregor’s lips turned up into a smile, and he narrowed his eyes a little. “Touché, Miss Sullivan.”

            I flushed under his gaze.

            “I don’t believe I’ve said my name,” Collins McGregor said, his eyes regarding me like a curious number on a spreadsheet.

            “No, you haven’t,” I said softly, trying to stand my ground. Just because Collins McGregor was some hot shot boy wonder mega mogul, didn’t mean he could intimidate me. “I..um…”  Well maybe a little. “My father subscribes to some of the business magazines, and well…”

            Collins bought a gentle finger to my lips then, instantly causing me to feel a heated tightening below my waist. I could feel my lips part slightly, and my breathing quicken. He was staring at my lips, his eyes had darkened, and I could feel his warm breath against my cheeks. Every nerve in my body was tingling, and I wanted to reach out to touch him, but I couldn’t. I shouldn’t. Not with him. Certainly not with him. Mr. Worldly McGregor was not just the cover boy for business magazines, but he was photographed enough at charity functions with a beautiful girl always by his side. “Can you keep a secret for now?” he asked, barely a whisper.

            We were standing so close, staring into each other’s eyes when a voice interrupted our mutual staring. I stepped back, putting some distance between Collins McGregor and myself. The air had become thick around us, and I felt tiny beads of sweat form around my chest. Was I actually burning up with heat from Collins McGregor? I gulped, disgusted with how my body was reacting to him. It was so instinctual.

            I dropped my eyes from his to look at his full sexy lips, and I nearly lost my composure when the corner of it turned up into a small wicked smile. I was sure he was relishing in his effect on me.

            “Ahh, Mr. McGregor, there you are.  I see you’ve found Sam Sullivan, the girl who I suggested.”

            “What?” I asked turning around to see Principal Dean Lowry.

            “Sam,” Principal Lowry said. “Can you show Mr. McGregor around? You’re the student ambassador and a senior so…”

            “Miss Sullivan had already taken on the initiative to show me around, Principal Lowry,” Collins McGregor said, standing next to me.

            I gritted my teeth. Just because he’s rich, handsome, and used to getting his way, Collins McGregor wasn’t going to be able to get his way with me. He was the kind of guy my father warned me about. The thought of my father seeing me with a man like Collins McGregor sent chills down my spine. Involuntarily, I shivered. Collins looked at me funny for a second, and then his face cooled. “As a matter of fact, Principal Lowry and Mr. McGregor,” I said. “I have a class I have to be at right now…I’m afraid I can’t show Mr. McGregor around. I’m sorry.”

            Collins McGregor frowned, and Principal Lowry patted his shoulders. “That’s fine, Sam. I’ll personally show Mr. McGregor around. Now go to class. I wouldn’t want you to ruin your perfect school record.”

            I gave an inward sigh. “Thank you, Principal Lowry.” I turned towards Collins McGregor. His ice blue eyes bore intensely through me. What was that expression?  Anger? Frustration? Even, maybe, desire? “Mr. McGregor…I hope you enjoy your tour.”

            “Miss Sullivan,” Collins McGregor said softly. “I hope to see you again.”

            “Oh, I hope so, too,” Principal Lowry said.  He turned to me and explained. “Collins McGregor is considering enrolling his brother here at Cliffside Academy.”

            I looked from Principal Lowry to Collins McGregor again. I almost said out loud, “Are you kidding? Why would a mega mogul want to enroll his brother into an obscure charter school like Cliffside Academy? There were more elite schools he could choose from.” But I didn’t.

            As if he were psychic, Collins McGregor spoke up.  “I grew up here, but didn’t get a chance to attend high school. I thought I’d check out some of the best schools in town.”

            “Oh,” I blushed. “You’re here for your brother…”

            “He’ll be a freshman, 14 years old,” Collins said, then pursed his lips.

            “Miss Sullivan, Sam,” Principal Lowry said. “If you don’t go to class now you’ll be late. I can give you a pass for this class, just for this. Mr. McGregor is a special visitor, and I thought you’d be the best person to show him around and to talk to him about our school.”

            I glanced at Collins McGregor, who stood with his arms crossed, looking at me with that look as though he was considering me for something. Then he smirked. At that moment, I wanted to wipe that smirk off his arrogant, but handsome face. No matter how much money he may have, I was not an object to be bought.

            Principal Lowry must have seen my face frowning when he said, “that’s alright, Sam, I see your reluctance.”

            I frowned. Was I that transparent? Principal Lowry was an on-again, off-again member of my father’s church. I had to at least look like I was trying.

            “But you have other things to do, I’m sure,” I said, feeling like I’d disappointed Principal Lowry by not being able to escort Mr. McGregor around school.

            “No, that’s fine,” Collins McGregor patted Principal Lowry’s shoulder. He threw me a look of defiance before he put his arm around Principal Lowry’s shoulder like they’d been friends for years. “I’d enjoyed your insight about Cliffside Academy (and the stock market), even further, Principal Lowry,” Collins McGregor nearly winked at me. It was a sight that nearly had me giggling. Collins McGregor, young, tall and beautiful in his black leather jacket and tight hip-hugging jeans with his hand on short and bald Principal Lowry, who looked just as star-struck by the young and famous glamorous mogul as a groupie would with a rock star. Even Principal Lowry was intimidated. Collins McGregor said, “Lead the way, Principal Lowry.”

            Principal Lowry nodded, “Of course, but let me go get my coat first.” He left quickly down the hall to his office, leaving me alone with Collins McGregor again.

            “You’re 18?” he asked.

            “How did you know?” I asked.

            “Principal Lowry mentioned you were one of the more mature students in school that I should talk to about Cliffside Academy to get a student’s perspective. He also mentioned that he thought you would be interested in an internship at my offices in Newport Beach.”

            “He what?” I nearly snorted. Principal Lowry was trying to get me an internship with Mr. Collins McGregor?

            “I knew you’d be surprised. He did mention your father is a friend of his, and that you’re in need of a scholarship to go to college.”

            My face burned. First Dr. Green and now Principal Lowry. I mean I should be grateful, but I also didn’t want the pity of someone like Collins McGregor. I was also embarrassed that my father would use his influence to get me an internship, even through Principal Lowry. “Sorry, Mr. McGregor, but I don’t think…”

            “Think about it, Miss Sullivan,” Collins McGregor said. “It’s just a thought, but the offer is there if you want it.” His eyes burned into mine, and for a minute, I thought he was talking about something else other than an internship.

            I shook my head. “I’m busy as it is, Mr. McGregor.”

 “It would pay for your tuition at college,” he said.

I stopped. “You realize that’s a lot to pay an intern?” I said, crossing my arms.

“You would be working on something complicated. Paying for your tuition would only be fair.”

“I appreciate you offering me this, but I get the feeling it’s for something else. I’ve seen pictures of you with pretty girls on your arm. I’ve seen how Principal Lowry seemed to eat up everything you say. I may know who you are, but I’m not impressed. You can’t just walk around expecting to buy me, too. I’m not like that.” I turned to walk away.

Collins McGregor stood still for a while, his grin gone. “You have quite a low opinion of me, don’t you?”

I shrugged. “I think you’re arrogant and smug. You probably grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth and don’t even know the value of a dollar.”

Collins McGregor’s face went from serious to hurt, and I immediately regretted what I had said. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I shouldn’t have…”

“You said what was on your mind, Miss Sullivan,” Collins McGregor said, his voice tinged with sadness and anger. “But, you have no idea what you’re talking about,” his eyes flashed.

I swallowed. I knew I went too far, but he was such an arrogant good-looking golden boy with his millions, perhaps billions, heck gazillions, I don’t know and I couldn’t care less, that I had to let him have it. My mouth went dry, and I had to lick my lips again.