“In the lobby we have, lists of the divided groups and your responsibilities. We officially begin next week, and the leaders of each group will meet for a Retrospective every two weeks.” He waved to a microphone at the edge of the stage near the stairs. “Before I leave you, the floor is open to a few questions.”
With several burning on my mind, I pushed past the others in the back, sprinted down the aisle to the stairs that lead to the stage and placed myself in front of the microphone. The other students began to fill in behind me with raised eyebrows at my speed. Yes, first!
“Well, we have an eager one,” Mercer’s rich voice filled my ears.
As I met his gaze and fell into the deepness of his green eyes, my heart dropped into my stomach, and everything I had planned to say blanked from my mind.
It was from that moment on that I found myself forever lost.
Chapter 2
Mercer chuckled. “I usually don’t render women speechless at first sight. Let’s start easy. What’s your name?”
The audience rippled with a smattering of laughter, probably from the people who knew me. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and my heart pounded in my ears. My mouth had dried up like the Sahara Desert. How could I, of all people, be tongue tied? I cleared my throat and tried to laugh it off as well.
“Sorry about that. I’m Cassiopeia Wayne. I’ll be covering the project journalistically,” I said with a smile. “I actually have a few questions. How many do I get to ask?”
He winked at me. “Two, and you’re down one with that last one.”
I blinked as I tried to comprehend what he just said. “Well, I better make this next one good.”
“That you had.” His eyes glittered like gems as he held in his laughter.
“I guess my main question is whether those participating will be credited if this project is successful and marketed.”
“I assure everyone here, that those responsible for the creation of Proprius will reap the benefits.” His gaze lingered to the group standing in the back before turning back to me with a smile. “I was actually worried that you would start off with a hard one.”
I wagged my finger at him. “I save the really hard ones for private interviews.”
The next person pushed past me and took my place in front of the microphone. Their voice blurred into the background as I walked back to Serenity. My heard thudded in my chest, and a shiver traveled through my body despite the heat building between my legs. What had that been? One look in his eyes, and I wanted to fling myself at him. I leaned against the wall and fanned myself with my hand.
“Is it hot in here?” I asked Serenity.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Mmm.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Let’s get out here before the crowd clogs the exits.”
I shook my head. “I should probably stay and listen to the rest of the Q&A session.”
“Suit yourself. I’ll be out in the lobby.” She shrugged and pushed her way through the exit.
The rest of the session passed in a blur. I tried to concentrate on the questions being asked but my attention wandered back to Mercer. He stood with his shoulders back but held himself with an easy confidence. He focused those intense eyes on the current speaker and was a hell of a lot more attentive than I was at the moment. What would those sculpted lips feel like against my own? Would they hotly trail down my neck? I cleared my throat and stood up straight as heat flushed my face. Sheridan walked across the stage and whispered in his ear.
He smiled apologetically at the last few people in line for questions. “It looks like that all the time we have for questions. I look forward to achieving greatness with everyone this year.”
The chatter suffused the room as people stood and gathered their things. I made a beeline for the doors before they could get to the aisle. Now was my chance to check out who was who in the groups. I may even get a couple of preliminary interviews. In the lobby, sunlight filtered in through the tinted, floor to ceiling windows and onto the beige tiled floor. Several students stood behind a group of tables with boxes on top of them. There was a sign on each table designating a group of letters in alphabetical order. I stepped up the last table with my hands behind my back.
“Hey, Cassi.” The guy behind the table pulled out a small packet and handed it to me. “Looks like you’re in a group all to yourself.”
I smiled. “Well, I get to interact with all the groups and report on it.”
“A one-woman journalistic army,” he chuckled. “So, are you going to be at the Hopp’s Revival this weekend? Maybe we can play a game of pool?”
I shrugged. “I guess it depends on how much I have to prepare for this.”