30. Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
S kye
My fingers fly on the keyboard as I work feverishly on the translation program. Thrax left hours ago to work on his secret project with Hans. I only spared a minute wondering what the project is that’s so important he won’t even leak a hint, then I dove into the world of code. The integration with the hardware earpiece is looming, and there’s still so much to do.
Time slips away as I debug and refine algorithms. I’m so engrossed in my work, I barely notice what time it is. It’s not until a shadow falls across my screen that I look up, blinking as I realize I’ve been so busy I haven’t taken a sip of water in hours.
Thrax stands before me, a gentle smile on his face. ‘‘It’s almost dinnertime,” he says, his deep voice sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. “You’ve been working all day.”
Glancing at the time display on my laptop, I’m shocked to see how late it’s gotten. “I guess I lost track of time.”
“If you think you’ve done enough work for today. I have something else in mind.”
I’m definitely curious, so I allow him to pull me to my feet. “What?”
Little wrinkles form at the corners of his eyes as he smiles. “You’ve been sitting all day. I think you need a bit of exercise before dinner. Remember when I offered to teach you some sword skills? I think it’s time for your first lesson.”
Before I can protest, he turns the volume up on the translation program and leads me to the center of the atrium, where the two wooden swords he and Varro fought with earlier await. He hands me one and I’m surprised by its heavy weight.
“Now,” Thrax begins, his voice taking on a patient, instructional tone, “the first thing to remember is your stance. It’s the foundation of everything else.”
As he guides me through the basics, I’m struck by what a natural teacher he is. His explanations are clear and concise, his deep voice soothing my nerves. He demonstrates each move with fluid grace, then watches carefully as I attempt to mimic him—badly, very badly, yet he never says a disparaging word.
“Good,” he encourages, as I manage a clumsy parry. “Now, try to feel the rhythm of the movement. It should flow, like water.”
I try again, focusing on making my movements smoother. Thrax nods approvingly, and warmth blooms in my chest at his praise.
As we continue, I fall deeper under his spell. The way his brow furrows in concentration as he demonstrates a complex maneuver, the gentleness in his touch as he corrects my form—it all adds to the growing attraction I feel for him.
“Now.” He moves behind me. “Let’s work on your thrust.”
His chest presses against my back as he reaches around me, his large hand enveloping mine on the sword’s hilt. The heat of his body seeps into me, and I have to suppress an aroused shiver.
“Like this,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear as he guides my arm through the motion. “Feel how the power comes from your core, not just your arm?”
I nod, not trusting my voice. The feeling of his body so close to mine, his strength surrounding me as he uses the word “core,” is intoxicating. As we move through the swing together, I can’t help but imagine those strong arms holding me in a very different context.
How long can we let this attraction simmer? The thought races through my mind as we repeat the motion. Each touch, each gentle instruction, feels charged with unspoken desire.
Finally, overwhelmed by the proximity and the building tension, I let the wooden sword slip from my grasp. It falls to the grass with a soft thud as I turn within the circle of Thrax’s warm, muscular arms.
Looking up into his dark eyes, I see my own desire reflected back at me. Without thinking, I reach up, cupping his face in my palms. His stubble is rough against my skin, a delicious contrast to my memory of how soft his lips are.
“Thrax,” I whisper, my heart pounding so loudly I’m sure he must hear it. “Will you… will you come to my room after dinner tonight?”
The invitation hangs in the air between us, loaded with thinly veiled promises. As I wait for his response, I hold my breath, hoping I haven’t misread the situation, hoping he wants this as much as I do.