“Let’s hurry. Your next lecturer has a bit of a temper.”
“Okay, but are we not going to talk about what happened? Or should I pretend you weren’t getting jealous back there?”
“Me?” Releasing the hold on my smirk, I let it flourish. “Jealousy doesn’t smell good. What need would I have?”
“Uh-huh.” Cutting me a side eyed leer of disbelief, she continues, “Good, because I recall earlier a certain someone with painted nails claiming dibs. Not to mention the plethora of females glancing your way and licking their lips. On top of–”
“Okay–okay. Point proven.” I take a widened step, blocking Kyra’s advancement while facing her fully. “You called me Russ. Does that mean we’re friends now?”
The thought of her speaking it lifts my cheeks until an ache presents itself. She shifts her focus between each dimple, marveling as a silent breath scutters beyond her lips. A dahlia scent fills my lungs as she discovers me staring into her glistening, hazel orbs.
“It was a one time thing. Don’t get used to it.” Strutting around me, she wears a grin.
“Oh, my heart’s breaking. It hurts.” Clutching my chest, I cry, “Kyra, this is it–” Going the extra mile, I topple over. She gasps, and I find it cute, seeing her red with embarrassment.
“Get up. You’re drawing attention.” Her voice is a whisper-yell.She tugs on my arm, but gravity keeps me within its formidable embrace. “Horus. Get. Up.”
“I’m dead, Kyra. To revive me, you must say something nice.” Peeking through squinted lids, I check to see if she is playing along. “Better make it quick. You still have class.”
“We don’t have time for this. Get up.”
I clear my throat. “That’s far from nice.”
“Fine!” she exhales with exasperation, and I crack an eye, witnessing her become redder with each passing student. They scowl, not understanding the fun we’re having, and Kyra tilts her head back and chortles. “You’re embarrassing but have a beautiful smile. There. Now get up.” She taps me with the ball of her foot.
On command, I arise from my lonesome grave. “See, it wasn’t hard? I’m back from the dead, and now we can go. You’ve wasted enough time.” Flashing a smile, I stroll off. This day can’t get any better.
Caspian’s class is near the end of this hall, so we indulge in random chatter while walking, and I enjoy each second of it. I ask Kyra about her first training session with House Life and Death, and she has been on a tangent ever since, further proving my point that our relationship isn’t tainted.
Our pace slows without her realizing, and I don’t have the heart to tell her we’re nearing her class’s entrance. “And dumb ass Ethan…” she continues, painting vivid pictures. Not a second escapes that Kyra doesn’t have me locked on to her voice. One question leads to her revealing the majority of her day, and I’ve cataloged the fragrance from each encounter.
She faces me, unaware of the door behind her and our reason for stopping. I hate to interrupt how much she hates Ethan. “Did he really tell you it’s not his problem?” I stoke the flames, driving those eyes to sparkle with defiance.
Alas, knowing Kyra can no longer be delayed, I gesture a nod to her class, but she returns one of her own, receiving my motion as meagreeing with her monologue. I take a step closer, and another, until her body syncs with mine–unaware, and she retreats.
Once her back meets the door, she graces me with a confused yet intrigued brow, silencing her speech. She notices the fleeting distance between us, and her rosy-pink lips, part to protest. I reach out a hand, moving it towards her waist, and she stills. Her exhalation becomes stronger with each passing breath.
Grazing Kyra’s hip, a surge of energy bites into my flesh, and I groan at its sensation. My aura urges me to lean into it. Embrace it. Become one. Every cell comes alive and bursts with raw desire. Not to claim, but to win her. A prize unbefitting of anyone else. Even the Gods.
Wood nibbles at my palm, following a frigid touch of the door’s handle, and such thoughts vanish, quieting the prophecy. I’ve gotten too close. The warmth of her breath brushing my neck returns the marble walls into view, and I regain my composure.
“Right on time.” I twist the handle for her to enter. I hadn’t noticed her hand on my chest, holding the fabric of my blazer with a loose grip.
A subtle head shake brings her own mindset back, and she blurts, “Dick.” Laughing, she pushes me away without force. I take my leave before she has a chance to notice my magic is spiraling, calling to her from a place beyond where any light can reach.
“Enjoy your class, Kitten.” I refuse to turn around. Things are happening too soon, and if I can’t contain it, the worst may fall upon us.
Chapter 22
Mind vs Heart
KYRA
Entering my next lesson,Russ’s warmth from getting too close continues holding me captive, surrounding me in a cocoon of need. He is a mix between a high school crush and the boy next door. I’ve never had the pleasure of knowing either, but from Rosie’s collected movies, he fits the bill.Am I crazy for wanting to experience more of…him? His smile, eyes, body–
“Find a seat,” a male in front announces, sitting behind a granite carved desk with a book blocking his features. Angry much?
I’m surprised at being early despite the two hilarious inconveniences. Thinking about it, Russ said, “I’ll be late,” and now I know he was removing Raine as an obstacle.Not jealous my ass.
