His eyes were so hypnotic as they stared deeply into mine. Finally, he spoke after what seemed like hours, but it had only been a second or two.
"Easy, Aria. You may need to sit down for a while. You're not doing so well on your feet."
His arms were still embracing me gently. His body being so close to mine made me feel like I had an outrageous fever burning out of control. I could actually feel sweat forming on the back of my neck as his hands seemed to grip a little tighter around my waist. Our wonderful moment was unfortunately interrupted and soured by someone clearing their throat very obnoxiously.
It was McKee who was standing beside Taryn.
"Ready for gym class, Aria?" Taryn asked with one eyebrow raised in surprise and approval.
Tallis released his grip, leaving me with a shocking pang of wi
thdrawal. "Guess I'll see you out there."
Then he flashed me a full smile and walked out. I just continued staring, possibly drooling like a fool. I could feel myself trying to catch the breath he had just taken away from me, but it seemed impossible.
It was all so surreal and tantalizing. I felt so disappointed the unbelievably fiery moment with him had just ended. I almost felt lightheaded from the insane rush I had gotten from the small amount of contact we'd just had.
McKee looked very displeased, but he tried to play it off, speaking in a joking tone. "I leave you alone for one period and another guy has his arms around you. Can't take you anywhere.” He smiled at me, but it seemed somewhat forced.
The annoying bell rang, saying it was time to go into the gym in my workout gear. We were going to be playing basketball, using only half of the court. I had played basketball a lot, but never in America.
The guys were on the other half of the court, which was not exactly a confidence boost. I suddenly felt very gaudy and awkward.
McKee walked out with his shirt off, exposing his muscled up six pack. A few girls gasped in obvious delight.
I would have, too, before I became completely enthralled by Tallis. I hadn't thought much about McKee in that way since I straddled Tallis in economics. My thoughts about McKee were completely platonic now. All of my desire was focused solely on the dark-haired beauty with captivating eyes.
I looked around, trying not to be obvious, but I didn't see Tallis anywhere. I was sure he said he had gym, too. I huffed, almost disappointed, as I shifted my eyes from side to side in an effort to find his face.
Suddenly, I felt heat from behind me. I felt chills run up my back as I felt someone's breath close to me. I turned around, nearly bumping into Tallis, who was shirtless as well. My mouth rocked open in an unhinged disaster.
Close your mouth, girl.
"Looking for someone, Aria?" His tone was knowing and haughty, but not offensive.
I felt like a dissolving fool. He smiled in a cocky manner to let me know he obviously knew I was looking for him. Then he walked on, staring directly into my eyes again as he passed.
I watched him - of course. His sleek abs were defined, but not bulky. Every line of muscles were mouthwatering. He had a tattoo on the side of his arm, almost at the top of his shoulder. It seemed to be tribal. What was with all these high school boys having tattoos?
I couldn't stop staring at him and thinking about how incredible his touch felt. But, I finally forced myself to at least look more like I was watching idly instead of shamelessly gaping.
Tallis shot the ball from the three-point line and knocked it in time after time. Another guy shot the ball and it bounced off the rim. Then a different guy rebounded it and threw it hard to a guy near the half-court line. He threw it too hard though, and the guy missed it.
You're supposed to run, duck, or scream when something is heading toward your face with ferocious speed, but I froze as the basketball barreled toward me.
I closed my eyes and braced for impact while holding my breath. I heard the ball hit something, but not my face. When I opened my eyes, Tallis was lowering the ball.
He stopped it. Whew.
It was almost painful to release my held breath and take in a new one.
"That's the second time I've saved you today. Any idea as to how you're going to start paying me back for all my heroics?" he teased, and then let out a playful laugh.
He flashed a menacing grin and jogged backwards for a moment, still staring at me. When he finally turned around and sprinted to the huddle where the other guys had congregated, I let out the next held breath. I didn't even realize I was holding it that time.
I had been stifling an embarrassed grin the entire time, biting my lip. I could see McKee swapping his disapproving glare between me and Tallis. I wasn't sure what McKee's problem was.
He'd known me for one day and thought he had rights to me? I remember wishing Taryn wasn't McKee's girlfriend, and now I was wishing she had been.