Page 82 of Redeeming the Villain
I already memorized campus like the back of my hand, including all the buildings. I like to know things to avoid ever getting lost. What can I say? I’m an overpreparer.
“Thanks, Lore. I’ll catch you later, okay?” He winks at me as he backpedals toward the building, spinning around just in time to climb up the stairs.
My senses tune in to everything around me as I’m left alone.
The birds chirping, the sound of a water fountain flowing and splashing to my right, the smell of fresh flowers in beds.
This place really is incredible. I need to remind myself to slow down and smell the roses sometimes … literally.
I make the quick walk over to the music department, and I seal Sunny and me inside of the practice room, intent on not leaving until I’ve perfected the new assigned piece from Von London.
Time melts away as I play, and by my tenth time through the music, I can perform parts without the glancing at the sheet music, my fingers following the patterns of the notes while my eyes memorize the music.
“You’re incredible.”
Malik’s voice startles me, and I jump at the sound, turning to find him standing in the doorway.
God, I was so locked into the music that I didn’t even hear him open the door.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, calming myself back down. “Also, you really shouldn’t try to scare me. It’s not exactly good for my heart,” I tell him, slightly kidding, slightly serious.
His eyes widen and soften. “Shit, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
I nod and pat the piano bench next to me. “I’m fine. I was mostly giving you shit.”
He walks into the room, the door shutting behind him. Walking around the side of the piano, he sits down on the bench.
“Would you play something for me?” He glances over, looking down at me with a gleam of vulnerability.
Oh God, I don’t know if I’m ready to open this part of my life to him. It’s my most sacred piece.
“Please?” Reaching out, he outlines my cheek and jaw with his caress.
Nodding slowly, I set my fingers back on the keys.
Quickly racking my brain for what to play, I settle on a song that feels like a representation of our relationship, whatever that may be.
Striking the minor chords, I play from recollection, holding his stare as my fingers dance across the keys.
This was one of the first pieces I ever wrote. I used to love how haunted it started off, mixed with soft major notes. It’s a war between light and dark.
I actually wrote it so the pianist selected the ending. It can either end with one side winning over the other or the two coming together in a perfect balance.
As the music fills the room, he watches me in complete awe and admiration. Our breathing begins to sync, his breaths quickening with mine as the music picks up.
It’s getting to the point where I need to deviate and choose a path to end the song. Maybe just for today, I’ll let the haunted notes win. Besides, darkness doesn’t always mean bad. It could have simply gone without light for so long that it forgot what it felt like.
My eyes drift close as I play the last part of the piece. Striking the final note, I open my eyes. Malik’s gaze has darkened, much like the music.
“You are fucking perfect, Alora.” His voice is breathless as he cups my face and claims my lips with his.
He deepens it, parting my mouth with his tongue. A soft moan vibrates from me to him, and he groans in response.
A knock on the door tears us apart, and I once again find myself jumping in shock. Either I’m way too on edge or everyone else is being far too sneaky.
Rupert Von London smiles through the window and opens the door. “Alora, there you are.”
Malik stiffens beside me. You’d think some fifty-year-old man wouldn’t pose a threat in his mind, but I’m not too surprised. It is Malik.
