Fortunately, I had one.
I just needed them all to accept it.
Claire
My lips tingled as I followed a silent Titus to his dorm.
Exos kissed me.
Like, well and truly kissed me.
And holy wow, was it good.
He’d awoken something inside me, something lively and buoyant—my spirit. I could feel it thriving through every step, the energy warm and familiar and strengthening my every breath. So much power. So much life.
It had shocked me at first, then floored me. He’d allowed me inside him in a way I didn’t really comprehend, but I saw him. It felt as if I’d known him my entire life, my heart automatically trusting his to guide me.
For once in my life, I didn’t overanalyze why. I just allowed it. Embraced it. Enjoyed it. Perhaps not the right place or time, but what did it matter? It’d happened. It was done. And I didn’t regret a second of it.
Except for a little bit now as I stared at Titus’s broad back. Mostly because just seeing all that expanse of tanned skin reminded me that I’d spent the previous night in bed with him. Then kissed Exos tonight as if he were my only lover.
Yet, I’d been upset over Titus having fucked Ignis the night before we met?
Yeah, that makes me a hypocrite.
Shit. I needed to say that I was sorry. However, I couldn’t find the words. Because I didn’t feel bad about kissing Exos. It felt too right for me to belittle it with an apology.
This was all so damn confusing. Especially considering my still-brewing attraction to Titus, something that remained evident as I moved past him in the entryway while he held open the door. The bare skin of his abdomen practically burned my arm, the intense heat causing me to trip over my own feet.
He caught my elbow, steadying me, his touch a brand against my arm.
I just kissed Exos. Passionately. I should not want to lean back into Titus now.
Swallowing, I pulled away and waited for him to lead, unable to meet his gaze. Not because I was upset with him, but because I couldn’t trust myself not to react.
He made an irritated noise and pushed past me. My elbow felt cold without him, yet my mouth continued to hum with electricity.
I can’t have them both.
But I sort of want to have them both.
This is so damn confusing.
Just follow Titus!
I shook off the war waging in my head and trailed after him, my hands clasped tightly before me. We walked up two flights of stairs to the top floor and stopped at the second door.
He didn’t say anything as he waved me inside.
Then I couldn’t utter a word, too captivated by the view.
His room boasted floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a new part of campus, one I hadn’t seen yet, all lit up by the moon and stars above. A majestic garden of sorts filled with glowing plants and flowers.
I padded over to the glass, staring down at the enchanted vines curling and growing at impossible speeds and then trimming to allow more flowers to bloom. Every second was a new evolution, the garden shifting and changing at impossible swiftness.
“This building backs up to the Earth Quad,” he said, moving to my side. “The vast garden separates us, but there are pathways between. Of course, they’re constantly moving to adapt to the greenery, so it’s easy to get lost.”
“Wow.” I stroked the glass as if to touch one of the glowing flowers, entranced by the magic sprinkled throughout the immense field. I couldn’t even see the dorms beyond. “This is…” Amazing? Nothing like home? I had no adequate words.