My eyelids droop and flutter between open and shut until I can’t fight it anymore and I give in as slumber overtakes me. The last coherent thought I have is that it’ll never happen between me and Victor. But I’m not sure if I say it out loud or just think it. A growl comes deep from Victor’s chest, but I’m too tired to ask him about it.
* * *
My eyes flicker open and the brightness blinds me. I squint. I lift my head to examine the room, but there’s no trace of Victor. The door is shut, and the only reminder of him is my earbuds and cell phone, which are lying on the nightstand next to me. He must have waited until I was deeply asleep to remove my earbuds.
Oh, how easy it is to fall asleep with him around. Alek is not right to believe Victor will cause me emotional harm. With the kiss, he was trying to take the emotional pain away. My knees get weak and my heart dances at the sight of this gorgeous man. His tender touch and his intense eyes bring peace to me—something I haven’t had for a long time.
I shake my head. I can’t go boy-crazy. Bad timing. The safer I feel in his arms, the more I’m willing to stay here, and that’s not an option. Should I talk to him and ask him to back off, or just ignore him until I leave?
I sit up on the bed, my head throbbing. The images of a fire-breathing bull return to my muddled mind. What was that all about? I’ve never dreamed of a fiery bull before. A fierce bull protecting me. Just as I said—better to ignore anything that has to do with Victor. I’m not going to overanalyze my dreams.
I spring into action, eyeing my packed bags. I peer out the door and listen for any movements from Victor’s room or downstairs. The “silence is golden” cliché takes on a new meaning for me as the silence is my golden opportunity to sneak out of the house.
The faster I do it, the quicker I sever any connection with these people, who I adore. I walk slowly to the bathroom and pick up my toothbrush. After packing it in my suitcase, I decide it’s probably better to go downstairs to check first before calling a taxi and hauling my suitcases to the door.
I tiptoe on the stairs and as soon as I walk into the kitchen, my eyes meet the multicolored eyes of the most handsome guy I’ve ever known. He’s sprawled on the couch holding a book. My breath catches in my throat.Shit. I’m so annoyed he’s here and I can’t leave. But I’m so happy to see him.Double shit.
“What are you doing here?” I ask him while pouring a hot cup of coffee at the kitchen countertop.Thank you, whoever made this coffee.
“I live here.” Victor laughs out loud, and warmth travels to my head. Let’s see how many stupid questions I’ll ask him today.
“Don’t you have a practice to go to?” I turn my back to him to place the carafe back in the coffee maker, clutching the handle extra hard.
“I can make my own schedule. And classes haven’t started yet, so here I am.”
Just my luck.I roll my eyes, knowing he can’t see me.
“Isn’t your dad really strict with training? You should probably just work out the entire day… You know, to prepare for your upcoming fight.”
I turn to face him. He’s staring at me, and I stare back at him. More like glare at him, really. For what feels like ten hours but must have been ten seconds.
Victor gets up from the couch and leaves his textbook on the table. He strolls into the kitchen, heading my way. I walk back to the kitchen table—a lifesaver. Now there’s some distance between us. Victor stops on the other side.
“You must be hungry since you skipped dinner last night. I made eggs Benedict.”
My gaze flies to the stove top where two eggs are sitting on top of ham and an English muffin. I make a conscious effort to close my mouth.
“You can cook eggs Benedict? Are you kidding me?”
He raises his eyebrows. Amusement flickers in his eyes.
“I mean, thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you.”
And scary that you’re so nice to me. Victor’s familiar fresh scent graces my nose and I inhale deeply. Why can’t I detect the delicious smell of the food? All I can see and smell is the delicious guy in front of me.
I serve myself with a sigh and eat my breakfast at the table. Victor sits next to me and his knee brushes mine. Of course it does. I’m almost finished when he breaks the silence.
“I want to show you the campus.”
“No. I’m good. Thanks.” I stuff in the last bite.
“You’ll really like it. We can walk to the campus café, and later I can show you the hidden places.”
It sounds great. I want to go with him, to forget how much trouble I am in.
“I can’t.” I stab the fork into nothing on the plate.
“The sun is good for you. You’ll get some happy hormones moving your body outside. C’mon?”
