"But if you love me, just like the way that I love you, I wouldn't mind a little comforting from you." —Tatiana Manaois.

••

The beat of my heart quickens when I feel Blaze's lips against my neck, giving me one of those pink marks he likes to leave on my skin. Perhaps as a symbol of what's his. He's practically french-kissing me there, his tongue and teeth working its magic on my body.

I blow my cheeks out and avert my eyes to the ceiling, tracing the patterns on it and hoping that'll keep my heart from failing. The adrenaline rushing through my veins is just too much to handle, and the fact that our squishing middles are revealing the slope prodding against his jeans makes it even harder to breathe. He's a highly sexual being—I am getting to realize that.

He threads his fingers through my hair, tilting my head ever so slightly so that my throat is open to his view. He presses his mouth there, and my eyes almost roll to the back of my head from how good it feels. His lips are cool and moist, setting off a tizzy feeling in my stomach.

His hand is still wandering my leg, and my arousal instantly intensifies when I think of the dangerous things that could happen here, in a room alone with Blaze Xander—they just seem so many.

"You always smell like a mixture of strawberries and cherries; what body wash do you use?" His lips move against me, sending a tremor down my back.

"Um..." I try to find my voice. "It-it's called Just for Girls. It's a brand my Mom... discovered 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..." While he's tracing his fingertips along my waistline, his lips roam to the top of my breasts, and I pull a harsh breath in.

Blaze chuckles at the reaction but doesn't stop kissing the area. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah...I think..."

I hear movements below and drop my eyes, watching as he skillfully uses two slender fingers to undo the button of my jeans.

As the fabric separates, my mint-green underwear with little watermelons allocated on it exposes to his view, and I look up to find him watching me with that well-known glint in his eyes.

His teeth catch hold of his lip as he slides his warm hand into the open space of my pants. Then the tip of his middle finger traces the single seam in the center, lightly brushing over the sensitive place that only he has ever had access to.

Unable to keep his burning gaze, I close my eyes and lay my head against the arm of the sofa, keeping my legs open and allowing him to do whatever he wants to me.

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

I remember a time when intimate contacts used to scare me, but it's not that way with Blaze Xander anymore. His touch is pleasant, desirable, and he knows where to touch and what to say to help you reach your point of fulfillment fast and intensely. He roams all the right places as if he has been studying a woman's body all his life. I don't know how he does it, but he makes me feel beautiful whenever he touches me.

But to my secret disappointment, he doesn't go inside my underwear. Instead, his fingers still on my body, causing me to feel empty and odd without their movements.

He's staring down at me as my eyes open, and I struggle not to let my impatience display in them; however, I am almost positive that I have failed.

"What...?" I ask softly.

He shakes his head and smiles. "We have to head back to school, and I don't want you heading back to Homewood with a wet feeling between your legs."

My face falls beyond my control. What?

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

"But t-there's like a shower upstairs; I could shower after we..."

Blaze looks at me with a toothy smile of disbelief. "What?"

I shake my head. "Nothing."

God, just stop Harmony Skye; you have done enough embarrassing yourself for one day.

Humiliated at the words I just blurted, I fix my button while I stand up from the couch, and Blaze gets up close behind me, grasping my arm gently.

I look back at him.

He sighs as he shoves a few strands from his face. "It's just that...I don't want it to feel like I took you here to get in your jeans; that's all. I mean, we don't have to get sexual all the time. Hope you're not offended."

Oh. Well, that's sweet.

My lips drag a little. "I am not."

He smiles and pulls me closer to him, placing a kiss on my forehead. "Let's get back now, yeah?"

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

I realize that we didn't get a chance to watch our movie but hearing about his past and the things he would normally keep hidden from me is a lot better. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

••

The rain has been making its appearance a lot often these days. While Blaze and I head back to Homewood, the heavy droplets hit the windshield of the car whilst his radio plays a soothing genre in the background. Being with him like this is comfortable and relaxing. As we near the school grounds, I can feel disappointment pitching its tent in my heart.

As if feeling the same dissatisfaction, he reaches over and takes my hand in his, and we exchange soft smiles as he turns into the parking lot of Homewood.

"Ah, I hate school," he grumbles as he releases me to switch his radio off. He kills his engine, and I smile and look over at him.

"Do you have more classes for the day?"

"Sort of. I may or may not go." He collects his key from the ignition, and I turn to face him in my seat.

"You should. Skipping classes so much is really not good for your academics. Since you're already here, just make it worthwhile, Blaze. It'll be useful in the future."

He stares at me for a while, as if contemplating my advice, then he slowly nods and looks away. "Okay. I will go then since you said so."

I grin. "Great."

He smiles and shakes his head. "It's raining so we have to make a run for it."

"Oh yeah." I grab my knapsack from his backseat, and we get out of the car quickly.

Blaze squints his eyes from the raindrops as I hurry around to his side, shielding my head with the palm of my hand. The downpour is already drenching our clothes, and I hope I won't wind up with another fever after this.

"How fast can you run, green eyes?"

"Maybe not fast enough."

He laughs and grabs my hand as he sprints off. I attempt to match his pace from behind while he holds my hand tightly in his—never letting me go. My eyes fall to our interlaced fingers, and I smile softly. He was right; we fit so perfectly.

There is just something about running in the rain with Blaze that feels madly romantic, or maybe I am just watching too many Korean Dramas.

We quickly dash through the pavement and onto the hall, laughing our faces off because the rush of it all is just so exciting.

"Woah. That was fun." I giggle, wiping water from my shirt.

Blaze smiles. "Very. You walk fast but you suck at running fast."

"I think my speed matches Usain Bolt's." I joke, and it makes him chuckle.

"You wish."

I pretend to be offended as I roll my eyes. "That bruises my ego."

"Aww, hush." He smirks, and it's the most beautiful sight I have ever seen, alongside his alluring dimples and blue eyes, and plump lips, and... well, everything.

He's perfect.

He drags his fingers through his hair while I smooth my hand through mine.

"My curls never cease to give me havoc," I grumble.

Blaze chuckles and steps toward me. "You have to make sure your hair is dry, or you'll catch a cold and I don't want you giving me a heart attack like yesterday."

He ruffles my hair in his hands in an attempt to dry it, and I have no idea why I am blushing.

Maybe it's because he is so close that I can see how flawless and handsome his face really is.

It's not long before his eyes meet mine and he ceases his movements. He's staring back at me with equal admiration as his hands still in my hair. The emotion I can't explain flashes in his eyes again, but I am still unable to decipher what it means.

"Wh-why do you look at me like that?" I ask softly, shifting nervously in my stance.

I want to know what that rare expression means. I have never seen anyone look at someone that way before so I cannot tell, and neither have I seen him look at other people that way.

He shrugs and I see his Adam's apple moves as he swallows.

"I don't know... you're just so beautiful, Harmony."

Wow.

I smile with rosy cheeks and watch how his face tinges with a faint blush.

"Thank you, Blaze."

His eyes dip to my lips for a second, and his head begins to move in. I loom closer to meet him halfway, but we are suddenly interrupted by a soft voice.

"Blaze."

We look in the direction it came from, and a girl with long black hair is standing there motionlessly.

There are faint dark circles beneath her eyes, and her lips are a bit pale. But despite that, you can tell that she's a beautiful girl. Her face is round, and her features are small and delicate. But my gaze contorts in wonder as a lone tear slips from her watery eyes, sliding along her cheek.

Confused, I glance at Blaze, and his jaw is tightly clenched, not seeming pleased to see whoever this girl is. As I refocus back to her, she's already running over to us.

"Fuck, what is she doing here..." He mumbles.

"I missed you!" She jumps into his arms, almost knocking him backward, and I am standing here blinking rapidly like a bulb that needs fixing.

Who is this girl?

~

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