"What the hell? What are you two doing in here?" Mike said, letting his eyes drift from me to Zach and then back again. His mouth hung open, and in any other situation, I would have laughed.

"We were discussing our art assignment," I replied, trying to keep the heat from my voice. A heat that had scorched me mere seconds ago. I had kissed him. My pulse increased again as I felt Zach's presence behind me. He wasn't close, but it was enough that I knew he stood there.

Mark rolled his eyes."You're not wearing shirts, dude."

"Duh, why do you think we locked the door? We're supposed to paint our tattoos, Ms. Demet has got a wicked head – but we'll get detention if we don't do it," I lied, trying to be smooth about it, trying to not show how shocked I was. I had totally forgotten about the discarded shirts.

Why hadn't we put them on before opening the fucking door?

"Whatever," he grunted while glaring at Zach, then trailed back to me "Tyra is looking for you by the way."

I looked back at Zach, feeling my eyes glaze over as lust surfaced once more. "I'll see you in class." It felt like the wrong thing to say, but my options were limited with Mark around. I had no intention on letting him in on what was going on.

Zach didn't respond, in fact, he looked just as cold as he usually did. My stomach tightened. I really wasn't up for awkward in art class. I had to tear my eyes away from his delicious torso, gulping a little as I did. Gosh, he was hot!

I turned to Mike and gave him a very false grin, trying to hide what must have been written all over my face. "Cool, I'll go find her. Catch you later," I said, nodding quickly towards the two guys while a part of me screamed at me to stay put. Stay, don't go. Then I remembered Zach's smile. His breathtaking smile that had made me warm all over. Perhaps he was okay for now. Perhaps.

———

"There you are!" Tyra beamed, shining like the sun she was. "I've been looking everywhere. I need a date tonight, up for it?" she asked, all bubbly and batting her lashes. I smiled back, letting her soothing warmth seep into me, calming me down with its normality.

"Sure, what's the occasion?"

"Well, this guy asked me out, and he wouldn't let me say no..."

I laughed. She was pouting, letting her lower lip protrude. "So now you're asking your gay friend to help you out? What am I going to do, flirt with him? Get him off your back?"

She pouted some more, but her eyes were all laughter. "Well, can't you try?" she asked. "It was kinda creepy. He walked up to me at Daisy's café, yesterday, while I was drinking the best latte, ever, and he wouldn't take no for an answer." Her eyes leaped away for a second, making sure no one heard us.

"Tyra, why didn't you just say no?" I didn't like the sound of this, and the lightness in her voice had turned decidedly forced.

"I really tried, and to be honest, I'm not sure what happened...but I said yes, and now I don't want to go."

"Well, the obvious option would be to just ignore him. He can have that date on his own instead."

She shifted on her feet. "I guess you're right."

"Just ignore him. We can do something fun together, watch a movie or something."

A soft breath left her parted lips. "Yeah, that's much better. I'm sorry. I just got kinda weirded out by the whole thing. Couldn't think properly."

"Did he give you a name?"

"Yeah, but I don't remember now. Tom or something."

I forgot to breathe, which she picked up right away.

"Dyl, are you okay?"

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Are you sure it was Tom?"

"No. Think it started on T, though."

"Thomas?" I suggested.

She chewed on her lip for a bit. "No, I don't think so."

"Tim?"

"Nope, definitely not."

"Tobias?"

Her eyes widened. "Yes, that's it. Tobias."

Not knowing what to say, I faked a smile and made my way toward the stairs, leaving a perplexed Tyra behind.

This was not good. Not good at all. I didn't have time to deal with Tobias, but I would have to do something if he terrorized my friends. I couldn't let him hurt them or my family again. Hopefully, it was all some kind of major twist of fate. Hopefully, it wasn't the same Tobias that had pestered Tyra for a date.

———

I moved through the corridor in a kind of haze, and as I entered the art room, I wasn't even sure how my feet had carried me from point A to B. Shaking my head, I snapped back into focus and thoughts of Tobias diminished into a faint worry as my eyes landed on Zach. Dread made way for a little nest of butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. He was focused on his phone, grazing his thumb over his lips absentmindedly. The butterflies seemed to grow into flailing bats. I felt the traces of his lips on my skin. This was going to be agony. Standing next to him, seeing him work his magic with a brush: it would take everything in me not to jump all over him again. Even thoughts about Tobias wouldn't keep that urge away.

Adjusting my pants, I sat down and tried to play it cool. I heard Zach chuckle, like a little bit of rumbling thunder – husky and deep. I looked at him and he gave me a pointed look toward my crotch. Dammit! It was still slightly visible.

"Asshole," I hissed, but I couldn't help my lips twitch into a trace of a smile.

His eyes seemed to swirl with heat, looking directly into mine. "You wish," he said, sounding totally unaffected. His poker face would be the death of me. Here I was, getting hot and flustered by his words, and he just sat there – like nothing had happened.

"Since you're finished with your project you can start working with the next one."

I looked up and saw Ms. Demet standing in front of us, handing us a sheet each while beaming as a Cheshire cat. I read the instructions and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Landscapes? Really?

"So, run along, find a spot outside," she continued, clearly seeing the question written all over my face. I could tell that it wasn't up for discussion.

I looked over at Zach and met a smug expression. I gulped again seeing that heat in his eyes—the same eyes that used to be made out of ice. I watched as he rose from his seat, every movement a suggestion. I held my breath and stood up, snatching my things before walking out behind him. I was so engrossed in dirty thoughts that I didn't see him stopping, making me bounce into his back. An involuntary groan slipped out from my parted lips. I had to close my eyes for a second to collect myself. This attraction was beyond ridiculous, but I didn't want it to change. It felt too good.

When I opened them again I realized why he had stopped. He was looking at the painting we created last night. Ms. Demet had actually put it up on the wall. It was strange seeing it there. It felt too private to share with the rest of the students. It was a dramatic painting in different shades of dark red and details in shades of gray. I could clearly make out what Zach had done and what was mine. His strokes were more powerful somehow, angrier, more passionate. Mine were sharper but not as straightforward. It was as if we had danced around each other's contribution, making it into two separate pieces molded into one. It was beautiful. It was us.

I saw Zach turn toward me which broke my gaze. He hinted at the door and I nodded in response.

As the door closed behind us, he shoved me up against it, enslaving my lips and body while one of his legs pressed its way in between mine. I dropped my gear to the floor and ran my hands over his body, twisting my fingers in his dark hair, but it wasn't enough. These sessions were not enough. They were teasers, making me crave for more—much more.

His tongue flicked against mine, luring out another wild groan from my throat which was met by an increasing pressure of his body into mine.

"Want to head outside?" he said, breathing heavily against my lips. The words didn't register at first. I was too far gone. I felt groggy, but I snapped back to focus as he placed his hand against my erection.

"Outside, right..." I faltered, but I didn't understand how anything would be better by stepping outside. I wanted him closer, something that wouldn't happen if we were out in the open. Even so, as he tugged at my arm, I followed him like a lost puppy with a dreamy look swirling around in its eyes. Not that I would ever admit to such a thing, but Zach made me do things I wouldn't normally consider. He made me breathless. He made me sport a boner in class.

I was putty in his hands, and I wasn't even embarrassed. I didn't understand how that had happened, but one thing was sure. He was a sexy bastard.