28. Ivy #2
“You’re good, Archer. Thanks for that, man.” He pats him on the shoulder, encouraging him to leave, but even though the Fire Protector releases my wrists, he doesn’t take a step back.
“I’ve changed my mind,” I declare, aiming my glare at Teddy, who wags his finger at me.
“Nope.”
“How did you get in here anyway?” I grumble, recalling the last time he walked me back to my dorm. He didn’t come inside because of the flames.
“I helped him,” Archer states, and I huff.
Of course he did.
Before I can move, Teddy links his arm through mine, dragging me out into the hallway.
“Close her door for her, will you, Archer?” he hollers over his shoulder before heading for the stairs.
I’m too dazed to fight it, stumbling at his side until we’re out in the mid-morning sun.
“Where are we going?” I ask, and he beams at me.
“To the pool.”
“There’s a pool?”
“By the Water Protectors’ dorms,” he explains, and my steps slow.
“I don’t think I should go there,” I admit, and he snickers.
“Of course you should. You’re with me. Besides, I might have pulled a few strings,” he adds as we turn down the path toward the Water Protectors’ dorms.
“For what?” I dare to ask as we round the back of the building and come to a large lagoon-shaped pool, and not a soul in sight. “Teddy?”
“It’s just you and me, Princess,” he says with a wink, yanking his t-shirt over his head as he kicks his shoes off before diving headfirst into the water.
All I can do is gape at him as I look down at the length of me. He told me to wear shorts and a t-shirt, not swimwear. It’s on the tip of my tongue to remind him of that, but he doesn’t seem to be rising to the surface.
Panic makes me move closer, but before I can holler his name, a flash of blue darts in front of me.
“Hey, Ivy, right?”
I blink at the blue haze before me. Where Ember is all but a ball of fire, this guy is one drip away from being a large floating droplet.
“That’s me,” I mutter, and he nods.
“Nice to finally meet you, Ivy. I’m Crush.”
I part my lips, but a splash of water interrupts me. “Crush, give her some space. You’re going to scare her away.”
“I’m sure you’re doing a good enough job of that all by yourself,” he retorts, and a bubble of laughter ripples from my throat.
“Don’t fall for his charm, Princess. He’s a menace in disguise.”
“That would make you a perfect match,” I retort, making Crush dance around in the air while Teddy slaps the water playfully.
“I’d love to stay and chat, but does this mean I finally get to go see Ember?” Crush asks, making my eyes widen in surprise.
“Ember?”
He nods eagerly. “Clay has been rubbing it in that he gets to hang out with her all of the time.”
My mouth forms the perfect O , bewildered by the love drama that surrounds my sprite.
Teddy clears his throat. “It’s up to Ivy.”
Crush stares at me, all hopeful, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“Of course.” He’s already gone before I finish speaking. “He’s a handful,” I admit, turning my attention to Teddy, who grins.
“Just like me, remember?” He moves to the edge of the water, folding his arms over the side of the pool as he looks up at me. “Are you coming in?”
“You didn’t say to wear a swimsuit,” I retort, cocking my brow while silently appreciating the reason to back out.
“You don’t need one,” he declares with a grin.
“How do you figure?”
“A swimsuit is just the same as your normal underwear. That will do.”
“No, it won’t,” I scoff, folding my arms over his chest.
“Do you always refrain from having fun because you put your own hurdles in the way, Princess?”
I blink at him, his question striking a cord inside of me that I can’t shy away from.
Is that true?
Do I make it worse for myself?
Whether I do or don’t, is that what I’m doing now?
Before I can tear myself apart, my hands move of their own accord, slipping my white vest top off before loosening the button holding my denim shorts in place.
My eyes catch on his, blazing with desire as he stares at my chest. Following his line of sight, I realize my error.
My lace lingerie leaves my nipples barely covered with the floral pattern.
I should cover up and run, but seeing his reaction makes my skin prickle, intoxicating me, and I want more. Even if only for a moment.
The denim pools at my feet, revealing my matching panties, the same floral lace in a soft blue framing my hips.
“Jump in, Princess,” he rasps, and I rub my lips together.
“Don’t touch me,” I warn, and he silently makes the sign of crossing his heart.
Kicking my sandals off, I throw caution to the wind, defying every part of my mind as I give in to my soul and body.
The water is warm as I jump in, slipping beneath the surface for a beat before I rise for air, swiping my hair back off my face. My feet are safely on the floor, my shoulders peeking out of the water, and I’m happy.
When I’m not immediately greeted by a comment from Teddy, I glance after him, only to find him swimming laps.
He’s giving me space, just like I asked.
I should like it.
I don’t.
Instead of chasing after him, I pretend he doesn’t exist as I explore in the water.
Keeping to the edge, I enjoy the sun on my skin and the warmth wrapped around me.
Time passes blissfully, melting together as I relax.
The sound of him swimming is the perfect backing track until I feel his presence looming.
Glancing over my shoulder, I find him grinning.
“How am I doing so far?” he asks, and I shrug, losing my breath as he inches closer, crowding my space.
“Okay, but I think you forgot the groveling,” I admit, and he groans.
“You want to see me burn, huh?”
I rub my lips together nervously, but shrug.
“That’s the coyest yes I’ve ever seen. You might be the death of me, Princess,” he rasps, and I shake my head.
“I already thought you were the death of me.”
“Thought?” he repeats, infiltrating my space so much my back meets the side of the pool as he places one hand on either side of me.
“Huh?” I blink at him, my mind short-circuiting as I try to understand what he’s saying.
He brushes a fingertip down my cheek. Just like he did last night. “Past tense, Princess.”
Flustered, my mouth opens, but nothing comes out.
His thumb finds my chin, lifting my jaw off the floor as he brushes a delicate kiss against my lips. It’s so soft, I’m certain I imagined it.
“Go to the ball with me,” he whispers, the tip of his nose nestled against mine.
“That’s not a good idea,” I rasp, unable to look away from his stormy eyes.
“I’m assuming your parents are going to be at the ball,” he states, and I nod. “Then use me, Princess. It’s the least I deserve. Groveling comes in more than one shape or form. We helped each other yesterday; we can do it again.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“Because I hate you.”
“More than you hate them?”
My mind swirls, my breath stuttering in my chest as he runs his tongue over his bottom lip. He’s so close I can feel the heat against my own lips.
“Don’t say yes, just kiss me,” he begs, his voice husky as my pulse pounds in my ears.
I’m no longer in control.
Not when I eliminate the distance and give in.