Page 51 of Time To Learn

No. No. No.

“Not a good idea,” I whisper.

His nostrils flare, sending small delicious shock waves straight down to my ladybits.

“Whynot?”

“Because if I do, I break a promise I made to myself a long timeago.”

He purses his lips and nods slowly.

“Can’t have that, can we?” he mutters.

I shake my head slowly. The look in his eyes turns to disappointment, making me wish I could give in to what my body truly craves, but my mind refuses to yield. Finally, he lets go of my hands, and I breathe a small sigh of relief as he retreats. The tips of his fingers rest a bit longer on my wrist, and my pulse jumps again. He grimaces as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“I don’t know if I can do this friendship thing with you, afterall.”

His words fill me with sadness. Why do I always bodge things up likethis?

“Why not?” I whisper.

“Because everything you say…” he stops, seeming to gather his thoughts. As his tongue peeks out between his full lips, wetting them, it becomes difficult to breathe again. “Because everything you say seems to put me under a spell. The more you talk, the more I want to know who you are. The more I learn, the more I want…more.”

I swallow the lump in my throat.

“I’m sorry, don’t listen to me. I’m slightly tipsy, and everybody knows not to take anyone seriously when they’re drunk.”

The shutters fall over his eyes, and I hold my breath again, wondering if he’s going to leave.

All of a sudden, Trish bumps into his chair, and the heavy tension in the air drainsaway.

“Oh, my gosh, this place is packed,” she laughs as she sits down. She places my drink in front of me, but I don’t have a taste for it anymore. She puts a beer in front of Kristian who’s staring at Alex now. I frown at their silent conversation, wondering what’s going on. It’s as if a whole bunch of words are said between them, even though they aren’t talking aloud.

Howodd.

Finally, Kristian picks up his beer and stands. I wince at the sound of the chair scraping against the floor. He avoids my eyes as he tips his glass at Trish.

“Ladies, it’s been great hanging out. But now, I must leave you, I’m afraid.”

I slump back in my seat as he only glances at me once. Then he walks up to the bar and starts to talk with the busty barmaid. Irritation at the way she bats her eyes at him—the way he smiles flirtatiously at her—grips my insides, and I feel tense.

“What’s up with him?” Trish mutters.

“He just has a lot on his mind,” Alex answers. The cautious smile he sends my way makes me feel even worse than I already do. Quickly, I take the drink in front of me and gulp it down until there’s nothing left. I hand Trish the empty glass, ignoring her gaping mouth.

“More, please,” I say, wiping a hand over my mouth.

“Are you sure?” Carefully, she looks me over, and I shrug as I smile at her. I hope she can’t tell how fake itis.

“Of course. We’re out to have fun, aren’twe?”

She narrows her eyes at me, but like the stubborn mule that I am, I keep the smile pasted on mylips.

“Don’t worry, lass, I’ll look after you,” Alex smirks at her. When she quirks her eyes at him, he smiles wider, before he turns to me. He takes my empty glass and standsup.

“Fantastic,” I beam athim.

As he leaves, I look around me. So many people. So many who are out having fun with friends. So many who don’t ruin everything, like Ido.