Chapter 62: Who Is This Girl?

~“But if you love me, just like the way that I love you, I wouldn’t mind a little comforting from you.” —Tatiana Manaois.~

Chapter Theme Song: “Helplessly” by Tatiana Manaois.

HARMONY

My heart races as Blaze’s lips find my neck, leaving behind one of those pink marks he seems to love. Maybe it’s his way of marking what’s ~his.~

He’s practically making out with my neck, his tongue and teeth working their magic on my skin.

I puff out my cheeks and look up at the ceiling, tracing the patterns there, hoping it’ll distract me from the heart that’s threatening to burst out of my chest.

The adrenaline coursing through my veins is overwhelming, and the bulge pressing against his jeans doesn’t help my breathing.

He’s a sexual creature—I’m starting to understand that.

He runs his fingers through my hair, tilting my head just enough to expose my throat.

He kisses me there, and my eyes nearly roll back in my head from the pleasure. His lips are cool and damp, sending a wave of tingles through my stomach.

His hand continues to explore my leg, and my arousal spikes at the thought of what could happen here, alone in a room with Blaze Xander—the possibilities seem endless.

“You always smell like strawberries and cherries. What body wash do you use?” His lips move against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Um...” I struggle to find my voice. “It’s called ~Just for Girls.~ My mom... found it the other day, but it’s not—um...”

His hand slips under my shirt and I close my eyes.

“It’s not what?”

“Officially on the market yet...”

“Oh...” His fingers trace my waistline while his lips find the top of my breasts, causing me to gasp.

Blaze chuckles at my reaction but doesn’t stop kissing me. “You okay?”

“Y-yeah...I think...”

I hear movement below and glance down, watching as he skillfully undoes the button of my jeans with two slender fingers.

As the fabric parts, my mint-green underwear with little watermelons on it is exposed to his gaze, and I look up to see him watching me with that familiar glint in his eyes.

He bites his lip as he slides his warm hand into the open space of my pants.

Then the tip of his middle finger traces the seam in the center, lightly brushing over the sensitive spot that only he has ever touched.

Unable to meet his intense gaze, I close my eyes and rest my head against the arm of the sofa, keeping my legs open and giving him free rein.

Two of his fingers play with the waistband of my panties before outlining the skin of my waist. My lips part in anticipation, waiting for the moment they’ll make their grand entrance.

I remember a time when intimacy used to scare me, but it’s not like that with Blaze Xander anymore.

His touch is pleasant, desirable. He knows where to touch and what to say to help me reach my climax quickly and intensely.

He explores all the right places as if he’s spent his whole life studying a woman’s body. I don’t know how he does it, but he makes me feel ~beautiful~ every time he touches me.

But to my secret disappointment, he doesn’t go inside my underwear. Instead, his fingers stop moving, leaving me feeling empty and strange without their touch.

He’s looking down at me as I open my eyes, and I try not to let my impatience show; however, I’m pretty sure I’ve failed.

“What?” I ask softly.

He shakes his head and smiles. “We have to head back to school, and I don’t want you going back to Homewood with a wet feeling between your legs.”

My face falls. ~What?~

“I think we should head back now, green eyes.” He pulls away from me, and before I can stop myself, the words tumble out.

“But t-there’s a shower upstairs. I could shower after we...”

Blaze looks at me with a disbelieving grin. “What?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

~God, Harmony Skye, just stop. You’ve embarrassed yourself enough for one day.~

Mortified by my outburst, I button my jeans as I stand up from the couch. Blaze stands close behind me, gently taking my arm.

I look back at him.

He sighs, brushing a few strands of hair from his face.

“It’s just that...I didn’t want you to think I brought you here just to get in your pants. We don’t have to be sexual all the time. I hope you’re not offended.”

Oh. ~Well, that’s sweet.~

I manage a small smile. “I’m not.”

He grins and pulls me closer, kissing my forehead. “Let’s head back, okay?”

I nod, and he takes my hand as we walk toward the door.

I realize we didn’t get to watch our movie, but learning about his past and the things he usually keeps hidden from me is so much better. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

***

Lately, the rain has been a frequent visitor. As Blaze and I drive back to Homewood, heavy droplets hit the windshield while soothing music plays on his radio.

Being with him like this is comfortable and relaxing. As we approach the school, I can feel disappointment creeping into my heart.

Seeming to share my sentiment, he reaches over and takes my hand. We exchange soft smiles as he pulls into the Homewood parking lot.

“Ah, I hate school,” he grumbles, letting go of my hand to switch off his radio. He turns off the engine, and I smile at him.

“Do you have more classes today?”

“Maybe. I haven’t decided yet.” He pulls his key from the ignition, and I swivel in my seat to face him.

“You should go. It’s not good to miss so many classes. You’re already here, so you might as well make the most of it, Blaze. It’ll pay off in the future.”

He looks at me, considering my words, then slowly nods and looks away. “Alright. I’ll go, since you think it’s a good idea.”

I can’t help but grin. “Good.”

He smiles back, shaking his head. “It’s raining, so we’ll have to make a run for it.”

“Right.” I grab my backpack from the backseat, and we both scramble out of the car.

Blaze squints against the rain as I rush around to his side, using my hand as a makeshift umbrella.

Our clothes are already soaked, and I can’t help but worry about getting sick again.

“How fast can you run, green eyes?”

“Probably not fast enough.”

He laughs and grabs my hand, pulling me along as he takes off. I try to keep up, his hand holding mine tightly—never letting go.

I glance down at our intertwined fingers and smile. He was right; we fit together perfectly.

There’s something incredibly romantic about running in the rain with Blaze. Or maybe I’ve just been watching too many Korean dramas.

We sprint across the pavement and into the hall, laughing like crazy. The thrill of it all is just too much fun.

“Wow. That was fun.” I giggle, trying to shake some of the water off my shirt.

Blaze grins. “Definitely. You walk fast, but you’re not so great at running.”

“I’m as fast as Usain Bolt,” I tease, making him chuckle.

“In your dreams.”

I pretend to be hurt, rolling my eyes. “That’s a blow to my ego.”

“Aw, don’t be like that.” He smirks, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. His dimples, his blue eyes, his full lips... everything about him is perfect.

He runs his fingers through his hair, and I do the same with mine.

“My curls are always such a pain,” I complain.

Blaze chuckles and steps closer. “You need to dry your hair or you’ll catch a cold. I don’t want a repeat of yesterday.”

He starts to ruffle my hair, trying to dry it, and I can feel my cheeks heating up.

Maybe it’s because he’s so close that I can see just how perfect his face really is.

Soon, his eyes meet mine and he stops moving. He’s looking at me with the same intensity, his hands still in my hair.

That unexplainable emotion flashes in his eyes again, but I still can’t figure out what it means.

“Why... why do you look at me like that?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

I want to understand what that look means. I’ve never seen anyone look at someone else like that before, and I’ve never seen him look at anyone else that way.

He shrugs, and I see his throat bob as he swallows.

“I don’t know... You’re just so beautiful, Harmony.”

~Wow.~

I smile, my cheeks burning, and watch as his face turns a faint pink.

“Thank you, Blaze.”

His eyes flicker to my lips for a moment, and he starts to lean in. I move closer to meet him halfway, but we’re interrupted by a soft voice.

“Blaze.”

We both turn to see a girl with long black hair standing there.

She has dark circles under her eyes, and her lips are pale. But even with that, she’s beautiful. Her face is round, and her features are small and delicate.

But I’m confused when I see a tear slide down her cheek.

I look at Blaze, and his jaw is clenched. He doesn’t seem happy to see her. When I look back at her, she’s already running towards us.

“Shit, what is she doing here,” he mutters.

“I missed you!” She throws herself into his arms, nearly knocking him over, and I’m left standing there, blinking in surprise.

~Who is this girl?~