I was beginning to get accustomed to James' scent, it was the same one I was hit with the second he threw the doors to his apartment open and ushered me in. He deposited the plastic bags on the kitchen island and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, downing it almost instantly.

When he turned around, I was still standing in front of the door, hands together in front of me.

"Are you just going to stand there?"

Will an awkward chuckle-because that was exactly what I was, awkward-I had a seat on the sofa but still held my hands together.

James rolled his eyes and laughed, heading into his room, emerging seconds later with three notebooks and one spiral bound document. "You don't have to be stiff around me. I don't bite my friends."

I didn't reply, just took the books from him and had a look at the assignment. James had always had a hatred for history, his elective. Since he didn't need it as a business major, it only meant more work for him. And even though he did fairly good at the course, he needed my help with his assignments most times.

While we were still together infact, I was the one who'd-

No. No thinking about the past. No thinking about what had been. I needed to concentrate on getting used to James.

I looked to him in the kitchen grabbing cups and two plates on a tray. My stare snapped back to the books when he turned around.

How the hell was I supposed to do that?

"It's very difficult, right?" inquired James, sitting down next to me and offering me a blueberry muffin.

I took it and thanked him. "Not at all. You just need to look a little closer at things."

For the next two hours, we went over the assignment. Well, I went over the assignment. James only chipped in on intervals with observations, jokes and more food. Eventually, we'd moved from the sofa to the floor for more room.

As much as I tried, I couldn't get over the feeling of deja vu. The last time I'd helped him with his history assignment, we'd been in this exact position. A pizza box in one corner, wraps and wraps of chocolate scattered all around, and James watching me intently while I did his homework. There was one difference though.

Back then, each time I'd look up, he'd have this simmering hot gaze fixed on me and I'd all but melt. And before either of us knew it, we'd end up cuddling in his bed.

The remembrance made my stomach twist into multiple knots and my heart clench. I hadn't looked up from this assignment since I sat down to focus on it. I was too scared of what might or might not happen.

"And that..." I put down the finishing touches on the work and my last full stop. Then I looked up for the first time and found James leaning against the sofa, staring at me like I was some sophisticated science experiment he wanted to crack. I cleared my throat and handed the notebook back to him. "Is that."

James chuckled, flipping through the work with an impressed look. I bit down on my lip and snatched up a croissant, biting into it to keep myself from saying or doing anything stupid.

"You're going to be doing my history for a long time," he said under his breath.

I froze, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat along with a pice of the croissant in my hand. James had said the exact same words the first time I'd done his history homework.

I shook my head and out down the croissant. No need to read too deeply into his words, he had obviously just said that. Not like he'd remembered or anything.

"Avery?" I barely had time to reply. I barely had time to think before he placed two fingers under my chin and brought my gaze to his. "Thanks."

I smiled. "No problem."

But there was. Neither of us were moving from that position. James still had his gaze locked with mine and he only broke it to stare down at my lips, a raging war ensued in his eyes. But before a winner could be declared for that war, I flinched away from him. My chin burned for his touch.

Silently I scolded myself and stood up. To avoid a repeat of what had happened last time, I'd taken the spare key from Kong and placed it in its position myself so I wouldn't be stuck with James longer than I had to.

James got up too, clearing his throat.

"I forgot the outfit and jewelry from the other day," I informed him.

James lifted a brow in confusion. "What jewelry?"

My lips fell into a line. "The one you lended me for your parents'party."

Realization washed over James and his lips formed an 'o'. "I got the jewelry for you, Avery." I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off, raising his voice over mine. "It was a gift. Helping your parents business was just a part of the reward."

"I can't accept it," I said, pushing some hair out of my eyes.

Out of nowhere, James tucked a stray stand of hair behind my hair. And while my heart sighed, my brain stuttered. His hand was still against my cheek by now, and some invisible force was making me lean into it.

"You're going to have to. Consider it a gift, for putting up with my parents."

I wanted to argue, but the burn of his hand against my cheek.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you looked that night?"

I gulped, hopefully not too visibly. Whether James saw it or not, he didn't give it away. He looked at me intently. Probably trying to crack my code and figure me out once and for all. He was close.

"I-Thank you," I stuttered. I was beginning to do that a lot around him. Not good.

"No need to thank me. I was just stating a fact."

He let go of my cheek and gathered his notes before walking into his room with them. Leaving me panting like I'd run a marathon. I put a hand to my chest and chided myself for being so affected by him when he wasn't even breaking a sweat.

I swallowed and fanned my fave with my hand, despite the fact that the ac was on and working perfectly. My senses which had just been assaulted by his scent seemed to all have died on me. And my hands were literally vibrating.

I plopped back down on the couch and worked to catch my breath so I could walk out of here with my pride still in place. My gaze flickered round the room searching for something to distract me from the intense heat rush I'd just experienced. I failed.

But I did catch a crumpled up piece of paper lying next to the trash can. Walking to it, I picked it up and was about to chuck it properly when I saw something.

On that piece of paper, it was crumpled up, but I was pretty sure it was "Extensive History of the south-east" that was written on it. That was the topic of James'history assignment.

Interested suddenly perked up, I unfolded the paper. My eyes widened. It was James assignment, and he'd already done it. Perfectly even.

So what was the need to call me over.

"Would you wait a little?" James called, emerging from his room. I spun around quickly, tucking away the paper in my back pocket. He grinned. "I'm making spaghetti for dinner."

Behind that smile, James had a reason for calling me over here. I had a twisted feeling that it wasn't good. Could I trust him. Kong's words resounded in my ears.

Be careful.

"I er... I gotta go." I started stepping backwards, towards the door.

James looked at me with concern etched on his features. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I replied quickly, shaking my head. "I just feel a little tired. Need to get some sleep." I turned and placed my hand on the doorknob.

Just friends. Could I even trust James' intentions?

"You're still up for the game tomorrow, right? I'm taking us there."

With my back still facing him, I nodded. "Sure."

And then I got the hell out of there. Away from James and whatever he seemed to be hiding behind that smile.