Blood of the Pure (Gaea) Read Free Page B

ear that my heart skipped a beat, leaving me petrified. “Hi! Are you all right?” His arms released me and when I turned towards his voice, I saw him kneeling right beside me, his perfect face painfully close to mine. Michael was worried about me. “Did you get hurt?” he asked once again and I shook my head, mesmerized by his gaze. I watched him stand up and the hand he stretched towards me.
    Still shaky, I tried hard to accept his help since I thought I’d never be able to move again. His big, warm hand surrounded mine and pulled me to my feet with ease.
    “You sure you’re all right? Maybe I should take you to the infirmary just in case,” he suggested and I wished I could lower my gaze and hide my blushed cheeks, but I simply couldn’t turn away from his green eyes.
    “No ... I’m fine, thank you,” I answered in a low voice, wondering how I’d been able to speak without stammering, and he smiled, breaking my heart into several pieces.
    “Good. That could’ve been a serious fall,” he noted, measuring the stairs with a critical look. “Hmm, were you lost? Looking for someone?” he asked me again in a helpful tone. I shook my head, commanding my voice to be heard.
    “Was going to class... History.”
    As expected he didn’t even know I existed. By his question, he’d probably thought I belonged to some other school and had gone there looking for my older brother or a friend. And to think I’d been so worried about him noticing me, sitting daily on those stairs.
    To confirm my suspicions his expression was one of surprise, but a friendly smile immediately took over his face.
    “Which grade?”
    “Twelfth.”
    “Ah, a year below ours. My name is Michael.” He introduced himself as if I already didn’t know it.
    “Mariane,” I replied in kind and the second bell rang, dragging us both back to reality.
    “Damn! We’re late!” one of the other boys said rushing inside as the rest followed him, leaving me still dazed.
    “Come!” His voice rang in my ears as if it were a dream and the hand that still held mine pulled me with him, making me run as well. When I realized we were already on the first floor, and his hand released mine leaving me temporarily lost and cold. “Your class is here, right?” he asked and all I could do was nod. “Mine is upstairs. See you around,” he added, blinding me once more with his smile, and then he turned around and disappeared up the stairs.
    I hardly listened to anything said in History class. There was the slight remembrance of Steph’s inquisitive look due to my tardiness. I know she asked me about it, but I don’t recall my answer. My head was somewhere else. And, by the time class was over, I could still feel the heat of his hand on mine and the scent of his skin where he’d touched me, the same scent that had surrounded me when he’d put his arms around me to break my fall. The sound of his voice rang in my ears and I prayed that those memories would remain engraved in my mind for all eternity.
    It was in that near-sleepwalking state that I said goodbye to my friends and returned home. From our group, I was the only one who lived at a walking distance from school, which thankfully allowed me to enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet.
    As expected, no one was home to greet me, but for the first time since we’d moved, I didn’t miss the sound of operas that my father often played in the house.
    I went up to my room and dropped my bag on the desk, lying on the bed with a sigh. I could hardly believe the day I’d had.
     
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     
    Just like the night before, the same dream tortured me that night. Those hands touching me, robbing me of strength and sense alike, leaving me in complete surrender before his touch. My body burnt and melted at his every move. His skin was smooth and cool, his daring mouth ripping shameful moans from my forcibly sealed lips.
    Like the day before, the sound of the alarm clock dragged me once more