Confused as all fuck, and stinging a bit from Rafe’s cutting words, I just stared as Jordan left the dining room, also without breakfast. I definitely hoped Alex would explain it to me because the inference I was getting indicated that there was no future for me with Alex. So why the hell did he keep calling me his future wife? Was it because his betrothed had died? Or did they do things differently in Australasia?
“Forget them,” Alex murmured in my ear, distracting me as he slid my chair closer to his. “You look gorgeous this morning. I can’t wait to get you alone later.”
A low, throaty chuckle escaped me. “I’m more than ready for that. Not sure the body will hold up, but the mind is willing.” I shook off Rafe’s stupid, jealous comment about Alex only trying to get into my pants. Sex was healthy and natural, why shouldn’t I get my socks rocked?
Concern brushed his face as his smile faltered. “Is it bad still? Should you be back in class?”
Is it bad still…
Uh…
Had he already forgotten the myriad of bruises and cuts that had scattered my skin like a patchwork quilt? It had been two and a half days. I mean, I was good, but not evenIcould heal that fast.
“I’m fine,” I said softly, deciding I was being too harsh. I could see his concern. And he couldn’t feel my pain to really know.
Breakfast was quiet and kind of tense. Alex being at this table had a lot of gossip flowing around the room, and it caused the usual inhabitants of this table to bail early.
“Finally alone,” Alex said with a smirk once Mattie skipped out.
“No one can clear a room like you, babe,” I said.
Alex’s lips twitched. “Babe?”
I rolled my eyes to cover my own awkward embarrassment. “You called mebeautiful, so I thought I’d test it out.”
He grinned widely, but his gaze was firmly locked on my lips. “I like it. I like anything you want to call me.”
His lips met mine in a kiss firm enough to make me gasp. Not just because he was kissing me in the middle of the dining room, but because my split lip was still healing and it kind of hurt.
Still, nothing in this world could make me stop kissing Alex.
“I’ll see you at practice today?” he asked when we finally parted. His breathing was labored, and I could see the hard evidence of his arousal straining against his uniform trousers. The way he looked at me while his thumb stroked my cheek… it was honestly like I was the only girl in the entire world.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I murmured back, my voice dripping with desire. “Pretty sure the Arbon Royals is my favorite thing about this school.”
Oh yeah. The academy team was legitimately called the Royals. Arrogance ran deep in these families.
Alex’s brows quirked up. “The whole team?”
My mind played images of hot, sweaty, muscular boys kicking around a ball, and I bit my lip. Yeah, dude. The whole freaking team. But that was my raging hormones talking, so I gave Alex an indulgent smile and kissed his lips softly.
“Okay, one player in particular.”Lies.
The smile on my boyfriend’s face made that small truth-stretch worthwhile, though.
“I’m walking you to class,” he said firmly as we picked up our bags and walked hand in hand out of the dining room. Whispers followed us like a swarm of bees, but I couldn’t give two shits.
I smiled, bubbling with confidence from his very public displays of affection. Claudette and her lackies had tried to break me, and they’d fuckingfailed. They could all kiss my damn ass.
“No, it’s okay,” I told him, “Your class is nowhere near mine and I’ll be fine. Go and learn stuff, I’ll be in my usual spot this afternoon.” I’d only attended three of his practices, but I was already thinking of my seat in the sports area asmyseat. Yep, I was falling hard and fast.
Alex hesitated, but something in my face must have convinced him, because he relented. “Okay, but message me when you’re at your desk.” I nodded, and then he kissed me one more time like no one was watching, before he headed toward his class.
For a moment I stood there pressing my fingers to my lips and basking in the glow he’d stoked in me. It didn’t take long for the whispers to start dampening my mood, though, so I headed off to my own class.
Chapter 20
“Dear sweet baby kittens,” Mattie sighed, slouching in the seat beside me as she fanned herself. “Have I told you lately how much I love this sport?” Her eyes were firmly glued to the field, and her cheeks held a pinkish tint.
