NINE
SETH
I watched Junior walk away from us at the table, wondering if he was serious. Kier might have pointed out the rule, but Tanner was right. If Ryxa was dating the guy and he chose to dump her because of it, it really would be Kier’s fault. There’s no way she’ll forgive Kier for that. Which means by extension, there’s no way she’ll give me the time of day after Kier’s royal fuck up. Kier and Ty continue to argue about who’s fault it is if she’s upset, but I ignore them for a good ten minutes before I can’t take it anymore.
“She’ll never forgive you and that means she’ll never forgive us.” I snap.
“Fuck it.” Kier growls, shoving his chair back, “I’m going to bed.”
“Our brother really is stupid sometimes.” I mutter to Ty. All I get in reply is a single nod. “I’m going to go study. This night blows.”
“Night, brother.” Ty mutters staring off into the distance. He looks lost in thought so I leave him to it. He does it so often that I barely even give it a second thought now. He’s been that way ever since our mother, Hera left our father. It’s not uncommon for Gods and Goddesses to split after a few centuries, but I think Ty thought they’d be the exception and last forever.
No one’s had the heart to tell him the truth;nothing lasts forever. Eventually everything changes.
I’m just climbing the back stairs that lead to the south wing of the dorms where the study rooms are, when I see her with her back against the wall and her eyes closed. She’s upset but that doesn’t stop me from taking in every detail of her body and face. Ryxa Day is an enigma, she’s beautiful, more so than anyone I’ve ever met. She’s unusually outspoken and when she laughs, that sound is like music to my ears. I’m fairly certain I could have blown my load just from the sound of her laughing if we’d been anywhere other than the dinning hall, surrounded by my brothers and friend.
I’m really not sure what to make of her. It’s like a mystery that I feel a strong urge to solve, which would explain why I find myself crossing the hallway and leaning against the wall opposite her. She doesn’t even seem to notice me there and after a few minutes I start to feel like a stalker, so I open my mouth, “Ryxa, are you okay?” I ask quietly as I step closer to her.
Her eyes fly open, giving me a glimpse of those crystalline eyes before she squeezes them shut and turns her head. “I’m fine.” She snaps, pushing off the wall. I’ve never been able to stand back and watch as a girl cries. She’s so close to it that I would do anything to bring that smile back to her face.
An idea pops into my head. Without thinking it over, I close the distance between us. “Come with me.” I don’t give her the chance to say no, I just grab her hand and drag her along behind me.
She doesn’t argue or complain as I practically kidnap her out of the main building, past the on-campus shopping mall and into the small courtyard where the hidden door is located. The only sound she makes is a small gasp as I push on the trigger that makes the stone wall separate, revealing the hidden passageway.
I don’t let go of her hand as we traverse the dark passage, neither does she try to pull her hand free of mine. I’m a little shocked by that, but I don’t mention it, for fear that she’ll pull away before I can show her what I’ve brought her here for.
My entire body is filled with a heat that has nothing to do with temperature and all we’re doing is walking while holding hands. It makes me wonder if we’ll combust if I kiss her.
Now that I’ve started thinking about it, I can’t stop. The thought of what she’d taste like, how she’d feel beneath me as we lose ourselves in each other. I’m curious if she’d be compliant, or if her fiery temper would flare and make it feel more like a fight for control. Images roll through my mind as my hand tightens around hers. Heat fills me, making it difficult to climb the stairs with my huge hard on, as fantasies creep into my head.
I want to slam her back against the wall, slip my hand down the front of those far too tight and tempting jeans. Feel if she’s as wet and wanton as I am. I’m positive she’d let me for a moment, before her more dominant nature takes over and she’s turning the tables, flipping our position until my back is to the wall as she slips her smaller, more delicate hands into my pants, grasping my cock with confident hands. It’d take both her hands to surround my girth and length, but somehow she’d manage it before shimmying out of her jeans and…
I snap out of my thoughts trying my hardest to rein in the desire that’s so thick in the air I’m amazed I can’t taste it. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want her. Yet at the same time, all I want to do is keep things going slow, simply hold her hand a while longer.
The feel of her warmth beside me has my mind torn. I want her, I want to push her away. I want to see if she’d measure up to my fantasies, I want to run as far as I can and never look back. The thought of never finding out is enough to cause an ache in my chest, so I swallow my flight instincts and grip her hand a little tighter.
We pass the first landing on the stairs and keep going. The second landing is larger, but still, I don’t stop. By the third flight of stairs, Ryxa is puffing air through her lips like she can’t keep going so I tug her closer, and without a word, I scoop her up into my arms, carrying her the rest of the way up. I’m a little worried that she doesn’t snap at me for manhandling her, but I decide not to say anything because holding her in my arms is making me feel that warmth again. She’s lighter than I expected, causing me no strain what-so-ever as I take the final few steps a little slower, just to prolong the time I have her in my arms.
Finally reaching our destination, I gently, but reluctantly, lower her feet to the ground. I hesitate before opening the door. She’s still out of breath and I’m beginning to worry. “Were the stairs too much for you?” I ask, watching her face closely.
“I’m not used to so many stairs. It’s okay.” Her hand shoots out, landing lightly on my arm, making my stomach clench in a weird way. “Thank you for…” Her eyes drop to the floor as she mutters, “carrying me.” The flawless flesh of her cheeks changes to a deep red, making her even more beautiful.
I can’t think of anything to say to her now, so I just push the door open and turn her gently to face the room.
My palms start to sweat as she just stands there, staring into the room. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, even though I’m not the slightest bit winded from the climb up here. The longer the silence lasts for, the worse I start to feel.
“I’m sorry. This was a mistake. I’ll take you back.” My voice comes out like I’m only just going through puberty; all squeaky and unsure.
“It’s beautiful.” The words are barely more than a whisper. I turn back to face her, searching those crystalline eyes for even a hint of a lie, but she smiles with a soft tilt of her lips that makes my stomach feel strange. “Can we go inside?” She asks on a whisper.
“Of course.” I grab her hand again, my own shaking slightly, and lead her into the room. I try to see it from her perspective, but all I see is the same thing I always do. A tropical paradise of plants. It’s like a hidden oasis in here, there’s even a man-made pond right in the middle, which is where I lead her to.
“This is…” She shakes her head, her eyes wide with awe. I once more wish I could see it all through her eyes. Yes, it’s beautiful here, but it’s just a garden. I glance around as she finishes speaking, “I don’t even have the words to describe this place. It’s… Magical.” Her words make me look around us, trying to see what she sees but I’m so used to it that I just don’t understand. “Magical is definitely the right word.” She hums as she trails her hand over the leaves of the nearest plant.
She’s not wrong, most of what is in here was created by pure magic, but the beauty of this garden pales next to her. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her as much, but the words just won’t come. I step sideways, so our sides are pressed together, and get that odd heat warming my insides again. It makes it hard to concentrate on anything other than her. I want to ask her if she feels it too, but instead, I lead her right to the seat beside the pond and sit down beside her, our hands still clasped together.
I’m not sure how long we sit like that, lost in the beauty of the garden surrounding us, but neither of us speak and she never lets go of my hand. It’s such a small thing to be so focused on, but I can’t stop thinking about it. Not once in my entire eighteen years, have I just sat with a girl, holding hands. It’s a surreal moment but I wouldn’t change a second of it for anything.