Chapter 55
“Y ou have to stop staring at me like that,” I muttered, replaying my audition piece for the umpteenth time.
Levi sat on my bed, his legs crossed, wearing his Tactician’s uniform. His gaze bore into me while Yasmine’s cat, usually loyal to her, betrayed her by curling up on Levi’s lap instead. I chose to keep my distance, sitting on the opposite side of the bed, not trusting myself so close to him.
He flashed one of his cruel smiles. “Why? Worried you’ll lose control and I’ll thoroughly enjoy it?” Levi and I had been going on dates for the past few weeks. Dates as friends. Each time he walked me back to my dorm, he never once tried to steal a kiss—probably because I’d shut the door in his face so quickly. I made it a point to irritate Levi, dragging him to places I knew he’d dislike: enduring four-hour operas for a class assignment, supporting me through my mental breakdowns, or even attending rowing races to watch Sylas compete. Despite it all, he never complained.
I now had nearly a hundred ribbons, and Levi had somehow managed to endear himself to Yasmine and even Sylas, who occasionally cracked a smile at his sarcasm.
“You’re gorgeous when you’re overthinking,” he purred, his voice smooth as velvet. Setting Baron aside, he moved closer to me, a menacing glint in his eyes. “I’ve been having not-so-nice thoughts about you that might just ruin our friendship.”
“Levi,” I said, and he lowered himself, his hand grazing my cheek, sending my heart into a frenetic rhythm. I’ve missed him. I’ve missed him so much . “Tomorrow is…”
“I know.” His lips tilted into a thin line, his thumb tracing my lips. “That’s why, if you’re feeling stressed out, I’m willing to go down on you and brighten both of our days.”
I shook my head, nudging him slightly. “That’s not really friendly, right?”
“You don’t see it, but this friend thing is a masquerade. What we have is a relationship, minus the sex you’ve been refusing me, but well, when it comes to you, I can be insanely patient. The only thing that will change is the fact that I’ll give you many orgasms, and you’ll help me with my case of blue balls,” he said, his voice hard and rough, his eyes piercing mine. “You want a friend? I’m your friend, but it won’t change what we are.”
I wet my lips, leaning in. “And what are we?”
The door opened, and Yasmine returned from the library at the worst moment. It was as if she had a sixth sense.
“Oops.” She lifted a brow. “I just killed your mood, but then I’m not even sorry. I’m single. This display of affection makes the idea of taking a shower with my hair dryer very appealing.”
I bit my lips and pulled away, my heart pounding frantically in my chest. “Good night, Levi.”
He leaned in to kiss my cheek, whispering in my ear, “Good night, my little thief. I hope you’ll think of me when you touch yourself because I certainly will. I’ll meet you an hour before your audition tomorrow to wish you good luck.” Levi stood and waved at Yasmine. “Thanks for killing my hard-on, Yasmine; such a team player.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled, slamming the door behind him. “You look flushed and frustrated.”
I collapsed on my bed, my hands covering my face, heat igniting my belly.
“I miss him, Yas, I want to—” I said, almost pleading, kicking my legs in the air. “I have literal goose bumps. My heart breaks every day I pretend we’re friends, and he plays the friend part so well. Yasmine, I’m going crazy!”
“I hate to break it to you, but neither one of you has been behaving as friends unless friends eye-fuck each other across every room.”
I groaned in frustration.
“So, hurry up and ace that audition, so you’ll be free of mind to do whatever you want with him, and I’ll have my friend back. The one who doesn’t bring her music sheet to watch my archery practice nor wake me up in the middle of the night with a headlamp to scramble notes.”
I pouted, folding my arms. “Hey! I also brought you food that day. You’re just being grumpy.”
She obviously laughed, and I sighed.
“It’s just… What if I’m not enough? What if everything I did is still not enough?”
She smiled. “You worked hard for it. Have a little faith in yourself, okay?”
Faith. She’s right. I can never lose hope.
I rushed to my feet and strangled her into a hug as Baron rubbed himself on us in a cuddling mood. “If I’m part of the orchestra, I’ll buy you your favorite book series with my first paycheck.”
“You better, and it better be in hardback.” She grinned.