Chapter 24 #2
“Lillith, you're not gonna let her–” Begins one of the twins before she's cut off.
“Shut up!” Barks Lilith.
She gives Ezra one last look before turning away and leaving, her two annoying sidekicks huffing before following after her.
Ezra gives me a knowing smile before it quickly falls into a frown, an almost exhausted sigh leaving his lips.
“I’m sorry about all of that…” He rubs a hand down the back of his neck. “You shouldn’t have to deal with crap like that.”
“It's not your fault you're favoured by rabid animals.” I shrug and he chuckles. A genuine smile stretching his lips this time.
“You know…I don't know if you’ve heard anything, but there are some… unsavoury rumours going around about you.” He bites his lower lip, a slightly hesitant tone to his usually happy voice as he continues.
“They say you want your sister's men. And that you treat her horribly because of it.” He shakes his head.
“I mean, I know it's bullshit but I thought you should still know.”
There were similar rumours in my previous life as well, ones I’m now sure were spread by Seria and her cronies. Everyone believed them, so I expected as much this time but why is he different? Why doesn’t he believe them?
I didn’t know Ezra that well and he certainly couldn’t know much about me. Eating beside each other and sharing a class didn’t make us close or make me a credible source. So why help me?
Why believe me when no-one else does?
“Why do you think it's bullshit?” I ask.
His brows furrow, an expression of ‘it's obvious’ written all over his face.
His hand gestures toward his body.
“If you wanted to drool over a hot guy, clearly I would win over anyone else. You’ve also eaten with me and the guys, and you haven’t thrown yourself at us… yet .” He wriggles his eyebrows, eliciting a small chuckle from me.
He shrugs, shaking his head. “Why would you want a milk dud, when you can have the whole goddamn bar that's sitting right in front of you?”
He lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Make it make sense, Micai.”
So the reason he believes me, is because he knows he's hotter?
I try to bite my lip to stop the laugh that wants to fall from them. And fail.
A small chuckle breaks free, and then another, until I’m clutching my waist and wiping the tears from my eyes. A genuine laugh flows from my lips, the sound strange even to my own ears.
I meet his gaze, a soft smile spreading on his lips as he watches me.
I clear my throat, a wide grin stretching my lips.
“So, basically you believe me because it's obvious I would choose the rib-eye over ground beef?”
He chuckles, “Ground beef? More like dog scraps. Trust me, even with Annex’s craziness, Creeds alphaholeness or Mallyns gloomy silence, we would still beat every other guy in every way; strength, looks and loyalty.” He opens the cafeteria door for me, and leans down as I’m passing him.
“And I don’t believe in baseless rumours or sweet lies, little sea star. I know what's what, I can see it better than most. I can see the good from the bad, and everything in between.” His eyes become a little unfocused as he steps closer, his breath brushing down my neck as he whispers in my ear.
“I don't know everything about you… yet , but a little voice inside me tells me you're not the bad guy here.” He turns to meet my eyes, a gentle expression taking over his features. “You look so small and frail on the outside and yet you handle yourself like you're bigger than me, Micai.”
A soft chuckle leaves his lips. “You don’t back down even when faced with something bigger or badder. You seem soft on the outside but actually have spikes.” His grin grows wicked. “But I don’t mind getting pricked.”
His brows instantly furrow as the words leave his lips, a questioning look on his face as he mumbles ‘ why did I… ’ but I can’t make out the rest of his words. Just as I’m about to ask what he means, loud laughter rings out from behind us as Ezra pulls away and straightens himself.
Right, the cafeteria. And as if on cue to remind me, my stomach growls.
A blush creeps into my cheeks as a small chuckle falls from Ezra’s lips.
He pulls the door open wider for me. “Why don't you go get something to eat?”
I turn back toward him as I head inside.
“Are you not coming?”
A dazzling smile stretches his lips, “Can’t get enough of the ribeye?”
I give him my best deadpan look as he chuckles.
“I’ve got to meet up with Creed, but I’ll catch you later.” He gives me a wink, his usual playful smile plastered back on before he turns and heads off.
Shaking my head, I make my way toward the food queue. The smell of steak hitting my nose as I point to the striploin and chuckle with our little analogy a moment ago. I add an extra large portion of crispy fries to my dish and get some bottled water.
My eyes are glued to my plate as I move toward my seat on autopilot, the growling from my stomach now playing out its own symphony as I sit down.
I start to dig in, a small moan leaving my lips with the first bite of the tender steak.
A deep chuckle rings from opposite of me, pulling me from my delicious meal and toward two piercing blue eyes. They continue to watch as I take another bite, glued to my mouth as I continue to eat.
“Enjoying that, Red?” Annex shifts in his seat slightly, his eyes never leaving me.
I swallow before taking another piece into my mouth savouring every bite.
I nod, not caring to form words and retort back, this tender piece of meat tasting better with every new bite I take.
I wrap my mouth around my next forkful, pulling the steak off of it and licking the juice from my lips.
I continue to eat as he shifts again in his seat, a small almost groan-like noise falling from his lips.
“Watching you makes me hungry, Red.”
I freeze, my eyes narrowing at his empty plate and back toward my half eaten steak. I grip my fork, and gesture back toward the food queue.
“Then go get some.”
A wicked smile spreads on his lips. “What I want isn’t on the menu.”
This couldn’t have been the last steak, but if it was, he would have to fight me for it. My odds aren't too bad.
My eyes meet his, a dark glint in them as he leans in nearer, closing the space between us. He lowers his voice to a deep whisper so only I can hear him.
“I wasn’t talking about the food, Red.” His gaze trails down toward my mouth, his tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip as he watches me before his gaze meets my own again.
The look he gives me is dark and feral, with something else in his eyes that has a shiver running down my lower spine and a strange heat burning at my cheeks .
He takes the fork from my hand and pierces my last piece of steak, and before I can tell him it's mine, he lifts the fork to my lips and waits for me to open them.
“I’m a giver, Red.” My eyes slightly widen, his grin growing as he raises a brow. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take what I want as well.” His tongue snakes out again, licking his top lip. “ Most definitely .”
I open my mouth, my body on autopilot when it comes to food as he pushes the fork in. I pull the meat off with my teeth as a small growl leaves his lips, a dark and satisfied look in his eyes. “ Good girl. ”
He puts the fork down and leans back, a wicked smile still on his lips with a more dazed look in his eyes as he watches me chew.
“Any plans for Friday night, Red?”
My brows draw together. Tomorrow?
Other than a quick run and the usual training, there was nothing. I didn’t usually have ‘plans’.
“I have a place I go every Friday. It helps me relieve some stress .” He continues.
“I’m not into group therapy, thanks.”
His grin widens, “I’m more of a doer, not a talker, Red.”
“Funny, everytime we meet you don’t stop talking.”
He freezes, his brows furrowing, a strange look forming in his eyes as he stares at me.
“That so?” A slow smile spreads across his lips as he casually shrugs.
“Guess you're the exception then.”Before I can ask him what he means, he stands up and leans toward me, whispering in my ear.
“Fight Night in Bellevere . Meet me tomorrow night at ten, down past the gates.”He straightens up with a large smile stretching his cheeks.
“What's the worst that can happen? And at the very least you can get away from this dump for a couple of hours.” He chuckles before turning and making his way out of the cafeteria, knocking into a couple of guys that were laughing and sending them flying to the ground.
They scurry along the tiled floor to get away from him, but he doesn't even spare them a second glance.
A fight night. With Annex.
Sounds like it would be a bloody mess if he’s involved.
And do I really want to go to some shady fighting ring that Annex frequents?
A heavy sigh leaves my lips. But a night away from the academy? I have to admit, it was a tempting offer.
I look around the room at the other students chatting and laughing, some of them openly glaring at me with looks of contempt or annoyance twisting their expressions.
I guess one night away wouldn’t hurt me.