Saving You Saving Me (You & Me Trilogy) Read online

  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.

  Collins McGregor’s gaze went to my lips, and I felt a rush go through me as I saw him fixate on my mouth. I had heard of people having one-night stands, and although I could not understand it before, I now understood how people can end up having sex with each other only after meeting them within minutes. The way Collins McGregor was looking at me, and the way my entire body felt while he was looking at me, I knew why people could jump from “hi” to “bed” in an instant. I licked my lips again because of the nervous heat I was feeling. That was the kind of chemistry that flew between us. It confused the heck out of me, yet I could not ignore it. “I’m sure you have more to you than what meets the eye,” I said, biting my tongue. I should stop before my curiosity got to me. “I wonder what kind of man actually has the need to constantly show off his wealth…come on, two beautiful women on each arm?”

  Collins McGregor’s face went white, and I could see the anger in his eyes.

  “Sorry,” I said again, biting my lips. I meant it this time. “You must have had your heart broken,” I thought out loud. “Or are you overcompensating for some kind of deep dark secret you may have…” Gay? Small manly parts? The budding psychologist in me was piqued with curiosity. I had just read about Freud and his id vs. ego. My battling Freudian sides whom I named Lola and Susan were piqued. Something about Collins McGregor brought out the wild in me…Lola, while Susan the sane battle to keep my head on.

  Collins McGregor opened his mouth, and I expected a smart retort to come from him, but all he said was, “Hearts, that’s my secret…hearts strategically placed can drive a man crazy.” Then he fixed me with a look that could make a grown man wither and crawl away. “Miss Sullivan, for your information, and I think you should check your facts before accusing anyone of anything you have no idea about, I did not grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. Quite the opposite, let’s leave it at that.”

  I flushed with red hot shame as I looked at my shaking hands. Too embarrassed to face him, I walked away, my heart pounding with every step.

  Chapter 3

  I walked quickly out of the administrative offices and down the hall towards my locker, feeling my heart beat loudly in my ears. One more minute standing that close to Mr. Hot Bod and Brilliant Smiles would cause me to have total combustion. I hadn’t let a boy affect me in this way since, well, ever. It wasn’t the kind of thing I would do. It wasn’t what Samantha Sullivan would do. The way I was feeling, if I got close to him at all, it would only lead to trouble…

  And that reference he had to hearts. My face flushed for the gabillionth time today. I knew gabillionth was not a word, but the way my mind was going, I was going to have Tourette syndrome. Could I ever live down that moment when I flashed Collins McGregor my underwear?

  It took me a while to make it to my locker.

  “Sam!” Jennifer, my pretty blonde cheerleader friend walked by with her boyfriend Rick Harvey, the star quarterback. Ever since she became cheerleader and started dating Rick, she and I grew apart and became preoccupied with other activities. “Just wanted to wish you happy belated Birthday, Sam,” she said, linking her arm with Rick’s. “I’m still bummed you did not try out for cheerleading this year.”

  “Busy with trying to get my grades up and other things,” I said, noticing how Rick could not keep his hands off Jennifer. I gritted my teeth. College was the way out of my house, and I had to get a scholarship to go to Stanford, far enough away from home. But Jennifer did not know that. No one knew except for me.

  “Seriously Sam, you are close to perfect in everything,” Jennifer said.

  “No, I’m not,” I said, glancing at Jennifer who had slipped her hand into Rick’s back jean pockets. I almost gagged at such public display of affection. “Uh, Jennifer and Rick, I’m kind of late for class…”

  “Well…I’ll see you around,” Jennifer said.

  I smiled and stopped walking then. “Thanks for wishing me a happy birthday,” I said. I hugged her.

  She hugged me back and whispered into my ears, “I think I saw Collins McGregor come out of the principal’s office with you. He is hotter in person than I expected. You are so lucky you got to talk to him.”

  I shrugged, glancing over at Rick standing a few feet away, who looked bored and was looking at his fingernails.

  “You realized you were talking to one of the hottest most eligible bachelors in America?” Jennifer said excitedly.

  I rolled my eyes. “Arrogant, too,” I said.

  “That comes from being a music mogul. Pretty amazing for someone who came from nothing, living off the streets, to being the success that he is. Arrogant or self-confident? Who knows, but he definitely has something special. I did not realize how young and good-looking he is.”

  “Me, too,” I said.

  “So what did you talk about?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” I said.

  “I think he likes you,” she said. “I saw him put his hand on your shoulder, and the way he won’t take his eyes from you, it was intense.”

  “Great,” I said. “I’m not hoping to get married at 18,” I said.

  Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Who said you have to marry him? Seriously, Sam. You are too much of a PK. You’re allowed to date, for goodness sakes, I hope. You have to have that before marriage. And marriage, that’s totally jumping to conclusions. I’m not even thinking about that.”

  “Good,” I eyed Rick picking his teeth. “I should hope not. Well, gotta go!”

  “At least think about it if any chance it comes up, Sam. I worry about you, but now that Rick’s my guy, all my time is spent with him or cheerleading. I hope you understand.”

  “Perfectly,” I said, walking away to my locker. Now I was sure I was late.

  I reached my locker in time for me to open the lock and pull out my books for the next class when I heard a familiar voice say “Hi, Miss Sullivan.”

  I jumped and my books tumbled out of my hands. Again. Collins McGregor was standing before me, looking every inch like a model for GQ. He had taken off his jacket and was now clad in his white shirt, pale blue silk tie and snug well-worn blue jeans.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you, Miss Sullivan,” he said, bending down to pick up my books and handing them to me.

  “I thought you were taking a tour around school with Principal Lowry.”

  “I did,” Collins McGregor said, with undisguised annoyance. “We walked around campus, looked into some classes, and headed back.” He added drily, “And talked mostly about stocks and the marketplace.”

  “Well…there really isn’t that much to the Academy,” I said truthfully.

  “But you’re here.”

  “I have no choice in the matter. My parents chose this Academy for me.”

  “Is it because it’s academically challenging?”

  “I think so,” I said.

  “Look Miss…”

  “Call me Sam,” I said looking directly in his icy blue eyes.

  “Sam,” he said, as if it were a strange word.

  “Yes, Sam,” I said, raising my eyebrows, cocking my head slightly and opening my lips to inhale in defiance.

  At that moment, Collins McGregor froze, his own eyebrows raised slightly. “You have very lovely eyebrows,” he said, looking at my lips.

  “Oh, thank you,” I said, unconsciously raising them higher. I’ve never had anyone compliment my eyebrows before. With his eyes blazing on my lips, I felt even more self-conscious than be
fore, which had the effect of making my mouth go dry. I stuck out my tongue and licked my lips.

  Collins McGregor shifted his legs, and stood up straighter, his eyes darker than before. He cleared his throat.

  “Sam,” he said, “I need your opinion, as a student who goes to this school. Would you recommend it?”

  “Of course,” I said.

  “How are the students here…any incidences of bullying?”

  “We’ve had a few…”

  Collins McGregor’s face dropped slightly.

  “It wasn’t as bad as it sounds, though,” I said. “The teachers, the principal, and several students stepped in. The bullies were asked to leave.”

  “Wow, that’s intervention,” Collins McGregor said.

  “There’s a school anti-bullying policy and stuff like that,” I volunteered.

  “Anything you don’t like about this school?” Collins McGregor asked.

  “The usual – better school food, more time to do homework, stuff like that,” I said.

  “What about friends?” he asked.

  “What?” I asked, confused. “Do you mean is it easy here to make friends?”

  “Do you have any?” he asked.

  “Of course, I do,” I said, offended he would think I was a friendless loser. “I might not have a lot, but I have some close friends. I’m not one to collect friends superficially. I prefer having a few good ones.”

  Collins McGregor’s eyes went from mine down to my lips then. “What about guys?” he said.

  “What?”

  “Do you have friends who are guys?” his face was serious.

  “I don’t make friends with people base on their gender,” I said. I was getting miffed now. I didn’t know where all these questions were heading.

  “Good,” he said. “It seemed like you’re jumpy around them so I thought you probably didn’t have a lot of experience being close to any. No brothers? No boyfriends?”

  “I’m not ‘jumpy’ around guys,” I said defensively. Just around you, Mr. Hot Bod and Super Inquisitive. “I do have friends who are guys, and yes, I mean, no – I don’t have brothers.”