Chapter 10 #4
Just as my gaze drifts down to my thighs, he grips my hands that are clasped behind my back.
A gasp escapes me. Oh God. He locks it with only one hand.
How? Both of my hands are held down by one of his iron-strong hands.
And he tightens his grip, ripping another gasp through my body, making my bones ache for his mercy.
“Why were your hands behind your back?” he asks me, his deep voice sinking into my neck as he glides his lips to mine.
Because I’m hiding my feelings, but I can’t say that. “Because… Because I was cold. Now I’m warm, thanks to you. Were you watching me after my test in the halls?” No. That’s not a good question. So I rephrase. “Why were you watching me?”
“Patrons outside were watching you.”
“Why do you care?”
“Why do you care if I care?”
“I… um… what?” Why do I care if he cares about me? Is his goal to confuse me?
I don’t even bother asking for more. I know he won’t tell me. He likes being cryptic, for whatever undisclosed reason. But I can’t help but ask of his previous divulgence. “Why did you say those things you just said?”
“Just a glitch,” he says casually.
“I thought you said there are no glitches in The Commons.”
He smirks, eyes searing into mine. “The effulgence of your intelligence knows no bounds.”
I’m almost tempted to feel complimented by his words, but I realize who I’m dealing with, so I drop that train of thought, stating drily, “Okay, whatever you say… Patron Pesh.”
He draws close, eyes softly drifting over me. “Pesh. Just Pesh.”
I gulp.
“Say it.”
Huh?
“Pesh.”
“Pesh,” I whisper.
I change conversations in order to help me stay alert. “Um… your sweater… Am I allowed to wear it out?”
“No,” he responds calmly, letting go of my hands.
His gaze sweeps over me as he rubs his golden ring.
It seems that causes the wall behind me to open.
But before my eyes can drift up to analyze the new surrounding, the wall slides again, revealing another building.
Is this… my dorm? How? I turn around in shock, but his hand takes mine, pulling me into my dorm.
I try to keep up with his pace as he enters my station. I look around, noticing a new enclosed border around my personal station, in front of the glass demarcation.
“How did you?—” As my lips open to ask, he carries me, gently placing me on my bed. What the… He flies my fluffy blanket over my body, tucking me in.
He sits next to my bed, his hands caressing my hair, his golden gaze staring into mine as the warm light reflects across the enclosed border.
My chest rises and falls, curling up inside my blanket, and I know I can ask a billion questions like I always do, but here, now, I don’t seem to know if it’s even the time.
Just as my mind contemplates, he speaks.
“Goodnight, Tavia.”
I nod, my mind drifting, wondering what he is a part of, wondering why all these secrets, wondering if I’ll ever truly know who he is, but I don’t have the energy to think so much tonight.
It’s actually refreshing not to be constantly thinking, plotting, analyzing, but to simply be.
And in this moment, I wonder… What lies beyond those golden eyes?
What oceans does he hide behind those wind blown strands?
What flames consume him when he closes his eyes to sleep at night?
But in this moment, he just smiles, as though he can read my mind.
I blink as my golden lamp flashes and my eyes open to see… Oh. He’s gone. I see his shadow, then… nothing. An exhale rips through my all. And an empty sadness fills my soul.
I wished this night would have lasted forever.
I really need to go to bed, but I’m dying to take a shower or a bath, so I stand up, walking toward the...
what is this? I look to the right to see a pre-prepared bath in my personal shower area.
The bathtub looks like it is made from gemstones.
The gemstones seem to emit a soothing scent that send a burst of comfort and relaxation through me.
I take a step forward and notice a blinking note on the foam.
Dare you to burst my bubble. Free Patron Pass for distinction on tests.
Must be Pesh. A smile beams through every part of me as my hands slide to his sweater, inhaling his intoxicating scent.
I don’t want to take this off, but I know I have to.
I fold it perfectly, hiding it under my private drawer, hoping no one finds it.
Once I enter the tub, the atmosphere around me turns to a simulation of pink and white clouds.
I sink into the bath for a brief moment, and it’s so entrancing.
I allow myself to indulge in its soothing pleasure on my skin.
I would love to stay here forever, but my eyes are closing and just as they do, the bubbles begin to disappear.
I am so tired and can’t afford to fall asleep in this bath, so I step out.
That felt amazing! I wish I could have enjoyed it more.
As I’m cleaning myself with my towel, I notice the bathtub morphs out and disappears. Yeah, that was definitely Pesh! Oh, what to think of this guy… A few seconds later, I fall on my bed, exhausted.
Slamming my head down to my covers, my eyes close softly. My arms tightly grip my pillows and I curl up, drifting off to serene silence.