Chapter 33
After dinner wrapped up, we all went our separate ways. Dante, was off for a night run, while Griffin had some homework for dream walking that he needed to finish before tomorrow. Walking back into my room, I felt a strange anticipation grip me.
”Get it together, Orlando,” I muttered under my breath as I grabbed a quick shower. The hot water did little to soothe my nerves, but at least it washed away the day”s grime. I changed into my grey sweats and a black t-shirt, trying to ignore the way my hands shook. What was wrong with me?
”Alright, time to face the music,” I said, grabbing the textbook I”d promised Harper I”d drop off. It was a simple enough task, but somehow it felt like something more significant.
My heart was pounding in my chest, and I couldn”t shake the feeling that this was something more than just a casual encounter. Why the fuck was I so nervous? It”s not like I hadn”t been with my fair share of girls before, but this…this felt different. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself as I gripped the door handle.
”Get your shit together, Orlando,” I muttered under my breath before finally pushing open my door. The hallway seemed longer than usual, and it was like every step was heavier than the last. As I rounded the corner, Harper”s room came into view, and I felt another wave of nerves wash over me.
I had barely raised my hand to knock when the door swung open, revealing Harper in all her casual beauty. ”Hi,” she said, a warm smile gracing her lips.
”Hey.” My voice came out more like a croak than the smooth greeting I”d intended. Clearing my throat, I tried to regain some semblance of composure. ”How did you know it was me?”
Harper shrugged, those captivating green eyes sparkling with mischief. ”No idea. I just seem to know when it”s one of you three at my door.”
I frown at the thought, wondering how it was possible for her to know, was it a sign that she was linked to us? I held out the textbook I”d promised her earlier. She took it from me, our fingers brushing against each other for a brief moment. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through my body, intensifying the desire that had been building inside me since we first met.
”Thanks for bringing this over,” Harper said, drawing my attention back to her face. ”I really appreciate it.”
”No worries,” I said. Turning on my heel, I made for the sanctuary of my own room, desperate to escape the tension that seemed to crackle between us.
”Orlando, where are you going?” Harper called out just as I was about to round the corner.
I froze, my heart thudding against my ribcage. ”What?”
”I thought you were at least going to come in and show me the parts I needed to read?” she replied, a hint of confusion lacing her voice.
”Right,” I said, attempting to hide my nervousness with a smile. ”Of course.”
Returning to her doorway, I couldn”t help but notice the way her shirt clung to her curves, or how the soft glow of the hallway light illuminated her green eyes. Shit, why did she have to look so damn good?
Harper stepped aside to let me in, and I could feel her gaze on me as I entered her room. It felt like being under a spotlight, every nerve ending suddenly hyper-aware of her presence.
Harper”s fingers closed around the door handle, pulling it shut with a soft click that echoed in the otherwise silent room. I couldn”t help but feel as if we were cocooned in our own little world, separate from everything else going on outside.
”Take a seat,” she said, pointing to her bed. There was something alluring about the way she”d casually tossed the blankets aside earlier, leaving the sheets rumpled and inviting. With a nod, I sank down onto the mattress while she handed the book back to me.
Flipping open the book to the marked pages, I felt the weight of Harper settling in next to me. The warmth radiating from her body seeped through my sweats, and damn if it didn”t make my heart race like crazy.
”Okay, so this part right here...” I trailed off as her leg brushed against mine, the sensation sending a bolt of electricity up my spine. It took every ounce of willpower I had not to jump her right then and there. But I had to keep it together. For her sake, for my sake, for everyone”s goddamn sake.
”Orlando?” she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. ”Are you okay?”
”Uh, yeah,” I stammered, forcing myself to focus on the words printed on the page. ”Sorry, got a bit distracted. Anyway, this section is what you need to know when it comes to Dante.”
”Got it,” Harper nodded, leaning in to get a better look at the textbook. Her scent filled my nostrils – sweet and intoxicating she smelt like Vanilla and Lavender. She was so goddamn close, and I couldn”t take it anymore.
”Harper,” I whispered, my voice barely audible even to myself. She turned her head to look at me, and for a split second, our eyes met. It was all the encouragement I needed.
Reaching out, I gently tilted her face upward, my fingers brushing against the soft skin of her jaw. She didn”t resist – if anything, she leaned into my touch, her green eyes wide in anticipation. The air between us crackled with electricity, a desire to ignite like a spark to tinder.
”Fuck it,” I muttered, just before our lips met in a searing kiss. It felt like coming up for air after being submerged for far too long, and God, how I never wanted it to stop.