Treasured Secrets (Coveted Saga #1) (The Coveted Saga) Page 4

  "It's fine." His voice was so breathtakingly wonderful to hear, like velvet massaging my senses. I just stared into his eyes that seemed to love holding me captive with their bewitching charm. He spoke a bit more comically as he continued. “But if you don't mind standing up, I need to get to gym now." He smiled teasingly at me.

  Now I was even more embarrassed, realizing I was still on his lap. I leapt to my feet so quickly that my still flustered self nearly fell backwards on the table behind me.

  Before my fall could finish, I felt arms around me, catching me, burning me. I felt his breath when its heat brushed the edge of my neck. I felt his strong abdomen pressed against my body in a way that gave me the most delightful chills I had ever experienced.

  There was an inexplicable desperate desire to stay close to him. I didn't even know him. I couldn't help it though. I didn't want our accidental embrace to end. I looked up to see him smiling down at me with such enchantment.

  His eyes were so hypnotic as they stared deeply into mine. Finally, he spoke after what seemed like hours, but it had only been a second or two.

  "Easy, Aria. You may need to sit down for a while. You're not doing so well on your feet."

  His arms were still embracing me gently. His body being so close to mine made me feel like I had an outrageous fever burning out of control. I could actually feel sweat forming on the back of my neck as his hands seemed to grip a little tighter around my waist. Our wonderful moment was unfortunately interrupted and soured by someone clearing their throat very obnoxiously.

  It was McKee who was standing beside Taryn.

  "Ready for gym class, Aria?" Taryn asked with one eyebrow raised in surprise and approval.

  Tallis released his grip, leaving me with a shocking pang of withdrawal. "Guess I'll see you out there."

  Then he flashed me a full smile and walked out. I just continued staring, possibly drooling like a fool. I could feel myself trying to catch the breath he had just taken away from me, but it seemed impossible.

  It was all so surreal and tantalizing. I felt so disappointed the unbelievably fiery moment with him had just ended. I almost felt lightheaded from the insane rush I had gotten from the small amount of contact we'd just had.

  McKee looked very displeased, but he tried to play it off, speaking in a joking tone. "I leave you alone for one period and another guy has his arms around you. Can't take you anywhere.” He smiled at me, but it seemed somewhat forced.

  The annoying bell rang, saying it was time to go into the gym in my workout gear. We were going to be playing basketball, using only half of the court. I had played basketball a lot, but never in America.

  The guys were on the other half of the court, which was not exactly a confidence boost. I suddenly felt very gaudy and awkward.

  McKee walked out with his shirt off, exposing his muscled up six pack. A few girls gasped in obvious delight.

  I would have, too, before I became completely enthralled by Tallis. I hadn't thought much about McKee in that way since I straddled Tallis in economics. My thoughts about McKee were completely platonic now. All of my desire was focused solely on the dark-haired beauty with captivating eyes.

  I looked around, trying not to be obvious, but I didn't see Tallis anywhere. I was sure he said he had gym, too. I huffed, almost disappointed, as I shifted my eyes from side to side in an effort to find his face.

  Suddenly, I felt heat from behind me. I felt chills run up my back as I felt someone's breath close to me. I turned around, nearly bumping into Tallis, who was shirtless as well. My mouth rocked open in an unhinged disaster.

  Close your mouth, girl.

  "Looking for someone, Aria?" His tone was knowing and haughty, but not offensive.

  I felt like a dissolving fool. He smiled in a cocky manner to let me know he obviously knew I was looking for him. Then he walked on, staring directly into my eyes again as he passed.

  I watched him - of course. His sleek abs were defined, but not bulky. Every line of muscles were mouthwatering. He had a tattoo on the side of his arm, almost at the top of his shoulder. It seemed to be tribal. What was with all these high school boys having tattoos?

  I couldn't stop staring at him and thinking about how incredible his touch felt. But, I finally forced myself to at least look more like I was watching idly instead of shamelessly gaping.

  Tallis shot the ball from the three-point line and knocked it in time after time. Another guy shot the ball and it bounced off the rim. Then a different guy rebounded it and threw it hard to a guy near the half-court line. He threw it too hard though, and the guy missed it.

  You're supposed to run, duck, or scream when something is heading toward your face with ferocious speed, but I froze as the basketball barreled toward me.

  I closed my eyes and braced for impact while holding my breath. I heard the ball hit something, but not my face. When I opened my eyes, Tallis was lowering the ball.

  He stopped it. Whew.

  It was almost painful to release my held breath and take in a new one.

  "That's the second time I've saved you today. Any idea as to how you're going to start paying me back for all my heroics?" he teased, and then let out a playful laugh.

  He flashed a menacing grin and jogged backwards for a moment, still staring at me. When he finally turned around and sprinted to the huddle where the other guys had congregated, I let out the next held breath. I didn't even realize I was holding it that time.

  I had been stifling an embarrassed grin the entire time, biting my lip. I could see McKee swapping his disapproving glare between me and Tallis. I wasn't sure what McKee's problem was.

  He'd known me for one day and thought he had rights to me? I remember wishing Taryn wasn't McKee's girlfriend, and now I was wishing she had been.

  I still liked McKee as a friend, but there was something majestic about the way Tallis made me feel.

  I noticed things were getting intense on the boys side of the court. Everyone else had started noticing, too, including the other girls. We stopped playing - even though I never touched the ball - and started watching.

  McKee and Tallis seemed to have forgotten they were playing on teams. I'm not sure how, but it had become a game of one-on-one.

  Tallis just grinned, taunting McKee, who looked incredibly frustrated. Tallis dribbled the ball between McKee's legs and scored on a lay-up.

  McKee wasn't smiling like Tallis was. He was more intense, focused, like he was trying to prove something. He started dribbling past Tallis who took the ball away and sunk the ball from the three-point line effortlessly.

  Tallis never quit smiling the whole time. Score after score, Tallis was embarrassing McKee even more than he had already been embarrassed.

  Now I was irritated and slightly humiliated by McKee acting so possessive. I knew that was why Tallis was doing this to him. I could see some of the girls looking at me, like they were sizing me up, trying to figure out what was so special about me.

  Stop looking. Nothing special.

  Finally, the sound of a piercing whistle blew and the coach broke up the heated game. My shoulders rose as I lowered my head uncomfortably, still aware of all the judgmental eyes staring at me. It was so awful.

  What a first day.

  Tallis never looked at me again during gym class. McKee did though. Every time I looked at Tallis, McKee looked at me and smiled, doing his best to distract me.

  One day in high school and already I was in some stupid, teen-age, soap opera, love triangle, drama fest. I liked the guy who didn't like me and didn't like the guy who did like me.

  Great! I'm a normal American teenager.

  I huffed in aggravation as I grabbed my gym bag. I didn't even change. I just ran out in my shorts and tee-shirt. I felt better in them than the clothes Ash and Aster made me wear anyway.

  I let my hair down as I threw my stuff in my car. I was just ready for the day to be over, and I was certainly ready to be out of the spotlight. I didn't enjoy being the object
of whispered conversations and scrutinizing eyes. Everyone would be talking about me even more after that.

  Chapter 4

  Mixed Signals

  Precious opportunities are stolen away when one wastes too much time lost in hesitation.

  I had been at school for almost two weeks now. Tallis was a little more standoffish toward me since the first day. I couldn't say I blamed him though.

  McKee had become almost obsessed with my every movement. I found him to be a complete annoyance. Every time I even tried to approach Tallis, McKee was there to intercept me.

  I was growing more and more frustrated with him everyday. He was relentless to stay by my side - day after day after day.

  Tallis hadn't been speaking to me in economics. Of course, it was hard to speak during class, since that was prohibited... somewhat.

  I caught him looking at me several times. I often fumbled around for something clever to say, but nothing ever came to my mind fast enough, and then those moments would be lost.

  That class was the only time where McKee couldn't block me from him. Then finally, the break I needed presented itself.

  Mr. Johnson, my economics teacher, stood in front of the class while smiling menacingly. One by one, we finished taking our seats. Tallis was the last to arrive. As he sat down in front of me, his wonderful scent engulfed me, stealing my sanity for a brief moment.

  I was trying not to stare at the back of his head, yet again, when Mr. Johnson interrupted my thoughts.

  His tone seemed to be laced with excitement, and there was a bit of a mischievous glow about him. "Good day, class. I hope everybody is ready for what I'm about to give you." He started walking from desk to desk, handing out small packets. Then he continued speaking, smiling the entire time. "Each one of you will receive a packet, and inside the packet is your assignment. This will account for thirty percent of your grade this semester."

  Everyone in the class gasped nervously. He just smiled a little more, reveling in the suspense he was causing. More menace sparked in his eyes as he continued. "On the top right-hand corner of each packet, you will see a number. Find the person in the classroom whose number matches yours. That person will be your partner for this assignment.

  "This should take you no more than two weeks to complete. At the end of the two weeks, I'll ask you to give a presentation. Get to know your partner, and let me know if you have any questions or problems. This person will mean a lot to your final grade. Use your class time wisely, but you'll still have to work on this at home some as well.

  "These packets have been handed out at random, so I don't know who you will have for a partner. After you have found your partner, come to my desk so I can write both of your names down for the assignment you received. Each assignment is different as well, so no one will be tempted to cheat. And no exchanging packets so that you end up with someone you are buddies with. This isn't a socializing experiment."

  As Mr. Johnson returned to his desk, we all began looking around the classroom for our partners. One by one, I was checking other people's packets, and each time I walked away, they seemed relieved the new girl wasn't going to be their partner.

  I saw more and more people pairing up and heading towards Mr. Johnson’s desk. It was just me, a few other girls, and Tallis left. I was hoping he would be my partner, and at the same time, I was hoping he wouldn't be.

  Knots curled up in my stomach and lumps began rising to my throat every time I thought of us alone for even a moment. I turned to look at one of the girls who seemed unwilling to approach me, and as I turned back around, Tallis was standing directly in front of me.

  I could feel chills run up and down my body yet again, as his soft lips moved in an effort to speak to me.

  "I'm number three. You?"

  He reached his hand over to check the number on my packet when I failed to form words. It matched. We were together. Oh yes and oh no.

  I could feel my heart flutter as he cracked a small grin at me. I was about to force out a reply, when I was rudely interrupted by the girl who had not wanted to approach me earlier.

  She came up to us with a very obvious agenda. "Hey, Tallis."

  She did everything she could to stand between Tallis and me. She didn't even acknowledge me as she continued speaking flirtatiously with him.

  "So, I was going to come over here and find out what number you are. I thought maybe I could sweet talk someone out of the matching number. I don't know that I would trust anyone else in here with thirty percent of my grade."

  She reached over to touch his hand. I was starting to feel awkward still standing there. I was frozen. I did know whether to leave or stay. I didn't want to give her my packet, but I knew I would if he asked me to.

  He didn't seem too impressed by her brazen approach, which gave me a touch of hope. He leaned back so I was back in his line of view. Then he smiled at me slightly as he spoke to her, while keeping his eyes locked on mine.

  "Sorry, Elaina. I already have a partner."

  I could tell she wasn't exactly thrilled with his answer. However, she tried to play it off.

  "I'm sure… she… wouldn't mind trading packets with me." She turned to face me to finally speak to me.

  What do you know? I'm not invisible after all.

  "I'm sorry, what was your name again?" she asked, playing coy.

  I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "It's Aria."

  She placed her body back between Tallis and me. This time she was facing me fully.

  "Aria, I'm Elaina. I'm sure you wouldn't mind trading packets with me, would you? I really need Tallis for this project. I was hoping that since you don't really know anybody yet, you wouldn't mind working with someone else. Sound good?"

  I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. I was stuck. I didn't want him to know I liked him, but I also didn't want to leave him with her and lose my chance.

  I tried to think quickly. Mr. Johnson was starting to become irritated by the amount of people still up. Genius struck.

  "I'm afraid Mr. Johnson would get mad if he found out we were trading packets," I said a little louder than I had to, while trying to be subtle.

  I glanced in his direction, hoping he would hear. Then I continued when I saw he was listening in. "I can't afford to make my teacher mad about something that could cost me thirty percent of my grade."

  I tried not to smile as Mr. Johnson made his way over to us. I could tell he wasn't pleased. I could see a ghost of a smile etching itself onto Tallis's face. I wasn't sure if he was smiling because he knew what I was doing, or if it was because he liked what I was doing.

  Please don't let him know what I'm doing, I thought.

  Mr. Johnson had his hands on his hips as he stood behind the three of us. I looked over to see one last girl in the room without a partner.

  His brow furrowed as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Very irritably, he murmured, "What exactly is going on over here? There are four people left, and there're only two people per group." Then he looked at me. "Aria, what number are you?"

  I tried not to smile as I replied, "Number three."

  Then Mr. Johnson turned his gaze toward Tallis. "Now, Tallis, what number you?"

  Tallis smirked slightly as he muttered, "I'm number three as well, Mr. Johnson."

  Then Mr. Johnson turned again to meet Elaina. "There's not very much math to do, as you can see. Elaina, it would seem your partner is over there." He pointed to the only girl left standing in the room.

  Elaina walked away, huffing in aggravation. Mr. Johnson nodded toward us before he walked away and returned to his desk.

  Then I felt fire burning through my hand as Tallis led me back to our table. Everyone else was sitting beside their partner at their table, and now I was going to be within inches of Tallis for the rest of class.

  I was both giddy and sickly nervous at once.

  His voice was so soothing as he spoke, and a slight smile spread across his face as he pulled out the work fro
m his packet. "I'm really glad you didn't make me be partners with Elaina. She doesn't have a whole lot of work ethic. I would've been stuck doing all the legwork."

  I blushed, showing how incredibly uncomfortable I was. "Are you two… I mean... Were you two… I mean, were you… never mind," I grumbled, finally giving up my unintelligible ramble.

  I could see a figurative mirror image of myself, drooling and slapping my gums in an apelike manner. So, so stupid.

  He chuckled, and he responded through his laughter. "No. Never. Not that she hasn't tried. That's another reason I was grateful for your reluctance to give up your packet."

  I couldn't tell if he was flirting with me, or if he really was just that desperate to stay away from her. It was even possible he was mocking me. It wasn't like I would know.

  "Um, she's not your type?" I asked, my voice crackling.

  His smile deepened. Then his tone changed slightly, as his smile turned a little more menacing. “No, she's not my type." Then he shifted in his seat uncomfortably as he continued. "I'm not really trying to date anyone in high school. There's more to worry about in life than teenage drama."

  I could feel a knot starting to form in my stomach again. I tried not let my voice quiver with disappointment, though I was very obviously unsuccessful.

  "Oh. I guess that makes sense. I already knew that about you anyway. I just didn't know if you had made an exception for her."

  He scoffed noticeably, quickly rebuffing my apparently foolish notion. "If I were to make an exception, it wouldn't be for her."

  I had nothing else to say. My lips quivered instead of moving.

  The way he stared at me so intensely confused me about the way he felt. Then he gave me that same captivating gaze he had so many times before, and slowly, the corners of his mouth edged themselves into an incredibly cocky smile before continuing.

  "So, you've been asking around about me?"

  My face suddenly lit up as bright as a Christmas tree with embarrassment.

  Busted.