I can work with that. Maybe my high pulse and pitched breathing when I am around Braxton is the reason I see lights appearing everywhere. I keep browsing for something that can help me further.
The door slams open. All the lights that were surrounding me switch off within a split second.
“Why are you sitting here in the dark?” Braxton asks, looking unbothered, but I notice that his hands are looking for the lightswitch immediately. I hear his breath pitching for whatever the reason may be.
“I uh—” I murmur. “I was reading.” I can feel the blush rise to my cheeks and for once I am thankful for the darkness surrounding me. “Wait, I’ll do it!” I turn my hand up and the room lights up.
“Why were you reading in the dark?” he mutters under his breath. I see the relief wash over him and his breathing going steady again as the light is back on again. Could he be afraid of the dark?
“It was on, until you came in,” I whisper, feeling kind of embarrassed. “Well alright, if you say so.” He shrugs. “You missed dinner.”
I turn my head to the clock hanging on our wall. Fuck. He is right. I have been in here for four hours. It is already 11 p.m.
“Sorry,” I murmur, zipping my backpack open and throwing the book in.
“Have you been in here reading the whole time?” He stares at me in disbelief. His lips are pressed together and his finger is pointing at me. I feel attacked.
“Maybe. But since when did you start caring? And why are you talking to me so much? You’ve said more in the last few minutes than you have all day.” I breathe out, furrowing my brows. He shrugs his shoulders, not reacting to my questions. I guess I am back in the silent treatment. He opens our bathroom door. It seems like he is moving in slow motion. His hand moves to the bottom of his shirt. He pulls it over his head in one fast movement, revealing his body that is covered completely in tattoos. Not just his arms—no, I mean everything. He glares over his shoulders, and I can feel myself turn red.
“Sorry, I will go,” I squeak out. It feels like all the air left my lungs and my heart beats so fast it is going to beat out of my chest. I spin around on the mattress.
A finger under my chin forces me to look in his direction again. He is standing close to me.
Too close.
I can smell him and feel his breathing on my face. He smells like cedarwood and a mix of sweat and blood. I take a deep breath in to make sure I will remember this smell. A light stubble covers his strong facial features. Sadly enough, his dimple isn’t on the front row today. And wow those abbs. He has the body of a god. Except for the tattoos, though. I am not sure a god would be allowed to have that many doodles and drawings all over their body. I have nothing against it. It is badass, personal, and maybe even a bit attractive. A gigantic scar forms the base of a tattoo at the bottom of his chest. I clench my jaw at the thought of someone doing that to him. His eyes find mine and I realize that I have been staring at him for way too long and the blush on my cheeks continue to rise.
“So you like my tattoos?” he breathes out, his voice deep and raspy. I can see his pulse going fast as I put on my brave face. I lift my chin high as I continue to stare in his deep blue and green eyes.
“Just curious who put them on you,” I answer indifferently. I straighten my back and wipe my hands on my dress.
“Well, if I am too much of a distraction to you, I could always close the door,” he huffs out, walking inside the bathroom again.
Was he planning on showering with the door open?
“Yes please, not sure if you can handle me changing into my pajamas.” I smirk at him. He didn’t answer my question, so I might tease him a bit. His eyes wide as he closes the door. The door is made of this blurry glass, and I can see him throwing his pants on the ground. A shiver rolls over me. I should change into my pajamas. I open my backpack again to find my clothes. I put on my cream silky top and shorts. I have to remind myself whyI am doing this again. Oh yeah, I am obliged to. But also, this is my way to freedom.
I lie down in bed, turning my face away from the bathroom door. It feels like I need to hold my breath. I grab the blanket tightly, waiting for the door to open again.
Chapter 9
Braxton
What in the name of the manes has gotten into me.
I have touched her.
Or even better, I forced her to look in my eyes.
I stood so close to her I could hear her breathing and saw her pulse flutter. My hands reach through my hair desperately. She smelled floral and fruity, like a perfect sunny summer eve in a garden.
She smelled like happiness.
Anxiety rises in my chest. It is something I want to smell again.
She is feisty.
With her head held high she came back at me. And no, I could definitely not handle her getting dressed into her pajamas. Why did she react so calmly and do I feel like I am burning inside? An emptiness fills my stomach as I take off my pants. We are going to share the bed. I am not the gentleman a girl like her dreams about. I turn the shower on and the cold water runs over me. I ignore the goosebumps that appear on my body. I saw her stare at my body, at my tattoos and my scars even. I prevented the situation of having to discuss them before shestarted to ask more questions. What if she asks about them later tonight? I shake my head in disbelief. No, she wouldn’t dare. I drag the olive-green towel off the drying rack. I dry my hair as I look out of the door. Despite the blurred glass, I can see the girl changing into her pajamas and stepping in our bed again. It is only her silhouette, but looking at her feels like overstepping. Maybe I should take the floor? No, I can’t do that. My reputation will be destroyed. Not that I like my reputation and neither is it completely correct. Despite all of that it does help in this situation. As far as people think, I don’t own the strongest or most extravagant signet. My reputation scares people. They think I am a murderous monster. And in a trial like this that might be my advantage. I twist a towel around my waist and push the door open. Her back is in front of me. I keep my mouth closed as I walk over to my side of the bed.
