24. Between a Rock and Hard Muscle #2
“That’s why we’re here, to figure out your magic, but it requires patience. For now, we’ll go at your pace, but make no mistake, if there’s an inkling of you holding back or not giving it your all, I will force you to go harder.” He squints at me in warning. Yeah, I think I’m in trouble.
“Fine, but can I do one clothing item at a time? I’m not comfortable with being fully exposed.” I shift my head down to avoid disappointment in those gorgeous silver eyes.
Alex draws near, and a mix of mint and bourbon flies into my lungs.
“Look at me.” His stern tone has my gaze shifting to his.
“Never look down around me. Never shy from any decision you make, and above everything else, never apologize for what your heart tells you. Own it, and I’ll never question you, but turn from me again…
” He leans forward, matching my height and lowering his voice. “And you will be punished.”
A few emotions ripple through my chest, enticing my pulse to rise. Feverish…Uplifted…Confidence…Kinetic.
No one has ever demanded me to be unapologetically–me. Are you real? Looking upon him, I feel my tension ease. He meant each word, making everything else seem less important.
Behind Alex, the entrance doors open, and two students enter, giggling and holding hands, not yet noticing us. My brows raise in shock.
“I can’t wait to have you pressed against these mirrors. Giving you a good pou…” The guy freezes, regarding my perplexed expression. More-so, how Alex stands unfazed with his focus still on me, though his muscles have tensed. “Shit, never mind. We need to go,” he suggests, turning around.
“Why? You said my ass looks good from every angle and planned on showing me. Plus, this fairy dust is kicking in, and I need–”
“Shut the fuck up and stop.” He interrupts his lustful friend’s reach for his cock. “That’s Alex. He’ll kill us both and sleep like we never existed. Our names, erased for eternity.” Grabbing her arm, he rushes out the door in a heartbeat.
What the hell just happened?
Alex exhales a bothersome breath, then folds his arms. “Now show me what you got. Impress me.” He backs away without acknowledging what transpired, giving me space.
“Soooo, are we ignoring the couple?” I question, pointing at the door behind him.
He raises a brow. Yep, ignore it. Got it.
I take a mental note for informational hacking later on.
Thinking back to Gina’s clone, I’m reminded that his temper can be as ruthless as Ethan’s.
“Okay, but don’t get your hopes up. It’ll be the second time I’ve tried this.
Don’t expect perfection right off the bat. ”
I pull my hoodie down over my ass, slowly removing my sweatpants. At least I’m somewhat covered, and even more glad my panties are cute, seamless boyshorts, on the off chance he sees a peek.
“Second time?”
Without thinking, I word vomit. “Stupid Ethan saw me do it during training–Let’s say, it didn’t go well.” Stepping out of my sweatpants, I catch Alex’s hardened gaze riddled with questions, and my lips curl inwards. The mistake hits me like a slap in the face .
“Care to elaborate?”
“Umm…” My thoughts scavenge for an answer that continues eluding me. “It’s not what you think. There was this whole thing with me trying to change into my workout gear, and he happened to see my underwear with a little skin, and–” Oh my God, Kyra! Shut up!
Alex’s jaw tightens, and his eyes glint an animalistic hint, following a brush of aura against my naked thighs as my own aura reaches out. Not for protection, but instead out of curiosity. Traitor.
He averts his gaze. “It’s fine. No need to explain yourself. It’s not like you and I have anything going on. You may continue with your magic.”
Oof “Uh, okay, but for the record, it was a bad use of my magic. Nothing happened.” I nudge him to understand, but he returns a single nod and nothing more. For someone who discourages me from explaining, he’s sure curious about Ethan. But fuck it. Whatever.
Irritated, I kick away my sweatpants for more room as I try replicating him. My palms warm, and a red glow engulfs me, brightening before vanishing. His brows pinch at a pair of black tights scrunched by my feet.
“Damn.” Giving him a quick glance, I continue, “Let me try again.” But I take a moment to applaud myself for the speedy creation.
I got this . With another flare of red–I indeed do not ‘got this.’ I find myself wearing half of two different outfits, one side legging, the other, Rebirth’s uniform pants.
What the hell, man! “One sec, I’m getting closer. ” I raise a finger.
“Stop,” he demands. My palms are still warm with a faint glow when Alex steps closer. “I’ve noticed two things. One, you’re not voicing the change spell ‘immutatio.’ Why?”
“Well, I think about what I want, and it sort of happens.” I shrug my left shoulder. “Am I supposed to say it?”
“Interesting. And no, it seems you don’t.” He places a pondering finger under his lips. “Second, your hands never move. Where’s your magic channeling from? ”
“Yeah, I guess I don’t have to do that either. My magic seems to…come out of me. Never thought about channeling it. But now it makes sense why everyone flicks their wrist.” Here I am thinking they do it to be flashy. Sheesh.
Alex approaches, lowering his hand without blinking. “Do you mind if I touch you?” He traps me inside his shimmering stare.
“Umm.”
“I’ll be gentle; I promise.”
He circles me, giving my body a once-over, and heat lingers from the sweep of his eyes. I’m thankful for blotching this creation. Otherwise, he would be yet another guy seeing my ass.
My breath stalls as he closes in from behind. A shadow, cooling the bumps along my arms, raised by the sultry pitch of his voice. The warmth of his body soaks into my hoodie, and I nod, approving Alex’s request.
Moving his hands slowly to ensure I view them as non-hostile and without malice intent, he wraps them around my waist. The hardened muscles of his arms hold me with a delicate squeeze, and it feels good.
Damn good. “Show me,” he whispers with a heated breath, and more chills spread along my skin.
My spine wants to arch against his command.
“What…would you like…to see?” I murmur back. The press of my ass against him has me thankful there are a few layers of clothing between us. Though I feel every soft inch of him.
His chest pounds against my back, reverberating, and once again, our beating rhythm syncs.
“Everything.” He feels like danger and excitement, mixed with a smell of mint. “Repeat what you did, and let me feel it for myself.”
Mouthing “okay,” I focus on anything other than how my body molds into his with ease.
“Concentrate. Pretend I’m not here.”
Yeah, easier said than done. I close my eyes, exhaling and sensing the magic flow through me. His arms are a vice around my waist, and the palms of my hands become thermic, matching the tropical degree of his presence.
Past the thin skin of my eyelids, I see a bright light flash and fade as pride swells within me. I’m pleased to look down and see I’m wearing a complete pair of workout tights. Excitement forces my legs to bounce, a kind of happy dance, while completely neglecting Alex standing behind me.
My ass is animated against his pelvis, and a thick lump concludes the action.
“I’m so sorry–I forgot you were–” Embarrassed, I apologize, but the jump of his excitement reveals there is a chance he does find me attractive. I bite my lip to keep from speaking any further.
“What did I say about apologizing? This is your one and final warning,” he says, walking from behind, adjusting his pants, and brushing a full layer of hair behind his…
“You have pointy ears?” I motion a finger with an excited tone. Their tips match his cheeks, a bright flushed hue. He is an elf, and I can’t help but think of Alise.
“Yes, all elves have pointy ears. Male’s are much longer than our female counterparts. Now may we continue?” he asks, unfazed by my astounded discovery. I want to inquire about the two of them, yet something tells me it will fall on deaf ears.
“Fine, but if you’re planning on dragging me here, I get to ask as many questions as I want,” I demand, unable to contain a smile from watching the tip of his pointed ear twitch. It’s adorable.
“Deal, but after practice. Now try again.” He turns around, looking away from the mirrors. “Take this opportunity to remove your hoodie and focus on creating a top. Say once you’re ready, and I’ll turn back and view your progress.”
My nerves return, but I do as he asks. My hands lift up the material as I realize I’m free beneath it. Shit!
“Uh, Alex, I’m not wearing a bra, so is it possible you don’t turn around, and I’ll let you know if I’m successful?” I question, hoping this doesn’t upset him .
“Very well. If this is what you require, I’ll allow it. But Kyra, next time, I won’t be so forgiving. Come prepared.”
Taking his warning as is, I drop my hoodie to the floor, and a breeze spreads across my chest, fluttering over my breast as my nipples harden. Quickly focusing on creating a sports bra, I am thrilled that it takes a single try for me to get it right.
“Yes! Alex, I did it!” I shout with enthusiasm.
He turns, witnessing the last trace of red vanish, and takes me in, eyeing the black stretchy fabric, which fits me perfectly. I fight against a happy dance, knowing the swell of my breasts will indeed bounce.
“Good job, now do it again. This time, the whole outfit. Let your magic run through your skin and form items atop of it,” he says as his study shifts to my stomach, adding more color to his pale cheeks before looking away. Was he checking me out?”
I discard such ridiculous thoughts and focus. My aura swells within my stomach, and a crimson glow covers me entirely. Tickles race along my arms, thighs, back, and every other inch, encompassed by magic.