The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (89 page)

I glanced at the clock and saw I had five minutes before my next class. I didn’t have time to deliberate about the Roman debacle now or I’d be late for class. I forced myself to get up, grabbed my books, and hoped I’d make it in time for class.

I couldn’t concentrate the rest of the day. I couldn’t stop thinking about Roman and his lips. The way they felt on mine, the hunger, the burning. I got called out several times by my teachers for not paying attention and even Riley gave me a few funny looks. I even got my ass kicked in self-defense. I knew Roman was watching which didn’t make it any better.

At dinner, Billy told me he told Gabe I wasn’t feeling well and that Gabe said I could have today and tomorrow to rest and get better. Even though it was a lie, I was thankful for the time off. I shot Roman a quick glance when he sat down at the end of the table.  When he met my gaze, he winked, and smiled at me. I rolled my eyes even though I could feel my cheeks burning. Cameron looked at me with her brows scrunched. Making me think she caught the small exchange between Roman and I. “What?” I asked, feeling uncomfortable under her scrutinizing stare.

She looked back at Roman whose mouth was full of food and talking to his buddies. Then she looked back at me and said, “Nothing.” I went back to my dinner as if nothing happened.

Just as I was about to get ready for bed there was a knock on my door. I opened it to discover Roman. Surprised I said, “Hey.”

             
“Hey,” he said, standing there. I raised my brows waiting for him to say something else. “I got you something.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white tube and handed it to me. I looked at him funny. “It’s burn crème.”

             
“Oh,” I blushed. “Thank you.” Not sure what else to say, I stood there; wondering if there was something else.

             
“Do you uh…wanna take a walk?” Roman asked nervously.

             
Surprised by his unexpected invitation, I managed to spit out, “Um, yeah. Just let me grab my coat.” I slipped on some shoes and a jacket, then I stepped out of my room, closing and locking the door behind me. He gestured for me to follow him. We walked side by side down the hall and out the back door to the back of the building. I shivered from the cold air, wishing I brought gloves and a scarf, and maybe even a hat or – my thoughts were disrupted when Roman cupped my face and started to kiss me.

Surprised at his abruptness I pulled back. “Sorry,” he said.

“I…oh what the hell,” I said, grabbing him and kissing him so hard we fell back against the building. He pulled me tighter into him taking pleasure in the kiss. Despite the chill outside I found myself warming up very quickly. I slipped my hands around his waist and up under his shirt making him jump back. “What is it?” I asked worried.

“Your hands are really cold,” he laughed.

“Oh, sorry.”

“Here.” He held out his hands for mine.

I placed my hands on top of his, feeling a tingling sensation, then warmth. “Thank you,” I whispered. I slid my hands underneath his shirt again and placed them on his lower back pulling him close to me. We stayed outside for a half hour kissing. I kissed him until I could no longer feel my toes. I pulled back trying to catch my breath. “I think we should head back inside,” I said. He looked at me like he did something wrong. “I can’t feel my toes anymore,” I smiled, letting him know it wasn’t him.

“Oh,” he said, smiling back at me. He took my hand and led me back into the building.

When we reached my floor, I stopped before entering my hall. “I think this is where we should part ways,” I said and he looked at me funny. “It’s just…well this is…” I paused looking for the right words not wanting to hurt his feelings. “What are we doing, exactly? I mean, what is this? You ask me to go for a walk and the next thing I know we’re kissing again.”

He brushed a piece of hair off of my cheek. “I like kissing you,” he smiled, giving me a sweet kiss.

“I like kissing you too,” I said, returning the kiss.

“Well, since we both like kissing each other, I think we should continue.” He slid his hand behind my neck and leaned in.

I pulled back. “As much as I hate to admit that I do enjoy this. If this is something that maybe we decide to keep doing, I just think we should keep it between ourselves,” I said, biting my lip, hoping I hadn’t offended him.

“Right.” He let go of me. The way he said it made me think he didn’t agree, but was going along with it. “Makes sense, I just broke up with Mackenzie and well, we’re just…” he left the question open for me to answer.

“We’re two people who like kissing each other,” I said, hoping that was the right answer.

“Yeah, totally. Just two people who find comfort in each other’s lips,” he smiled cockily. He put a hand on the wall and leaned dangerously close to me. He picked up a small strand of my hair and twirled it around his finger. “You know, if you want, I could come back to your room and help you warm up,” he winked.

I pushed him back. “Nice try, but I’m still healing from the last time.”

“It was worth a shot,” he shrugged. “See you tomorrow,” he said, stealing a quick kiss. I pulled him back, wanting it to last a little longer.

“Okay, now you can go.”

“But I wasn’t done,” he smiled, moving in for more.

I heard a door open. “Okay, now you really need to go,” I whispered, pushing him back. He stole a few more kisses before I pushed him away, shaking my head.

I felt like I was flying on a cloud. I floated back to my room. Once inside, I changed into my pajamas, and snuggled into my warm bed. It only took a few minutes before I fell into a deep sleep. I woke up in the morning feeling great. I slept through the night peacefully – no nightmares, no tossing and turning, no nothing. It was just a perfect, restful night.

I sat up and stretched my arms above my head smiling. I hopped out of bed and changed for class. “You look like you’re feeling better,” Billy said as I came out of the bathroom.

“Oh yes, much better,” I said, unable to unscrew the smile from my face.

“Well good. I’ll be sure to tell Gabe you’ll be ready for training tomorrow.” My smile faded. I knew Gabe had planned on upping the intensity of my workouts to help prepare me for the battle ahead. Not sure what I dreaded more, the possibility of going up against Jack again or the ass kicking I was going to get from Gabe over the next few weeks. Both were to be debated. At least I had a day off to relax.

I was one of the first to arrive in my history class. I took my normal seat in the back and took out my books. When I looked up I saw Roman. I tried hard to keep the smile from my face. When he saw me, he came right over, and took a seat next to me. “What are you doing?” I asked, looking around even though we were the only two in there.

“Do you have training today?” he asked.

“No,” I said nervously. I didn’t like the idea of people seeing us together and starting rumors.

I was about to tell him he shouldn’t sit here when he said, “Meet me in the library after dinner,” he winked. Then he got up and took a seat behind me in the back. I faced forward trying to hide my smile when Mackenzie walked in. She looked at me, then Roman, sticking her nose up at us. I stifled an eye roll and waited for class to begin.

In spells and casting Roman and I were partners so I had to sit by him, which I didn’t mind – I think for the first time ever. Once class started, I noticed Roman had inched his way closer. He would casually lean in closer so our arms or legs would touch, giving me a tiny shock every time our skin brushed. The subtlety of it all made me excited, anticipating our meeting later tonight.

In library later that night, Roman and I found a small, dark corner in the back where we proceeded to make out for a very long time. Then we parted ways and went back to our rooms. This became a routine. Roman and I would find a place to get together, share secret glances in class, lunch or dinner, and sneak a soft touch here and there when no one was looking. I had a sneaking suspicion that Cameron thought something was going on so I made sure to be extra careful around her.

I met Roman in the basement. It was one of the few places we could meet without worrying about someone catching us. “How was training today?” he asked.

“Fine,” I said, going back to kissing him.

“What are you and Gabe working on?”

“Just some new techniques Billy showed me,” I said as I left a trail of kisses down his neck.

“Wait, he’s been training with you as well?”

Sensing a change in his tone I asked, “Are you jealous?”

“Jealous of what?” 

“Nothing,” I rolled my eyes and went back to kissing him.

“What kind of techniques?” he mumbled against my lips.

I sat back and sighed. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. You tell me?” he said.

“I thought we were kissing,” I smiled, pulling his lips back to mine.

He turned his head. “Yes, but that’s just it. Is this all it is or is there more to it?”

“Less talking more kissing,” I said, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him down on top of me.

“Ella, I’m being serious.” He sat back up.

“Roman, just spit it out, because this dance is making me nauseous.” I was getting annoyed by the constant interruption.

“Just forget it.” He leaned in to kiss me.

This time I was the one to stop. “Do you not enjoy this anymore? Did you want to stop?” I asked a little scared.

“No, I do. I just would like to know where this is going to lead.”

“Hey, I never stopped you from copping a feel,” I teased.

“That’s not what I mean,” he said, sitting back.

“Roman, we already talked about this. We’re just two people who like kissing each other with the occasional grope,” I winked, making him smile and blush. “Nothing more and nothing less. Why complicate things?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he said, turning away and looking a little disappointed.

“Did you…want, something more?” I asked softly, afraid of his answer.

“No,” he shook his head. “Of course not. C’mon, we can barely tolerate each other,” he winked, nudging me playfully. His smile faded and he sighed. “I should go.”

“Is something wrong?” I asked worried.

“No, I just have a lot of homework.”

“Okay,” I said, removing my legs from his lap. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” he said, flashing me a smile. He gave me a quick kiss before he left. I stayed in the basement for a little after he left, contemplating what he was really trying to get at. He never cared how training went before. Did he miss it and that’s why he asked? Was he trying to make conversation? Did he no longer like our little arrangement? Was he getting bored? Did he want more? I shook my head and made my way out. I did not like the idea of being in the basement alone.

Just before I was about to ascend the stairs, I heard a noise behind me. I stopped and turned around; walking a few feet back in the direction I just came. I peered all around, looking for the mystery noise while reminding myself not to be scared. “You have some very powerful kick ass powers. You can take on anything that comes at you,” I told myself.

When I didn’t hear the noise anymore, I decided to stop my investigation and haul ass out of there, my courage now gone. When I rounded the stairs I nearly jumped out of my skin. “I knew it!”

“Christ Cameron, I think I just peed a little.”

She stood there with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed. “You lied to me,” she said.

“What are you talking about?” I said, trying to walk around her.

She took a step to the left blocking my path. “You and Roman. You two are hooking up aren’t you?”

“You have an over active imagination. There’s nothing going on between Roman and me.”

“Then how come I just saw him leave here not too long ago?” she questioned, thinking she had me.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you go ask him?” I said with a little bit of attitude, hoping she would drop it.

She leaned closer, getting in my face. “I know there’s something going on between you two and I will figure it out.”

“Sure Cameron, whatever,” I said, wondering why she cared so much. “Are we done with the interrogation now?”

“For now,” she said, letting me pass. 

The next day in class I noticed Roman was a little distant. I slipped him a note asking if he was okay. He answered
–
fine.

I wrote back asking if he wanted to meet tonight. All he wrote was
–
I can’t.

I didn’t push, sensing something was off and didn’t want to risk making him mad. He didn’t show at lunch or dinner and I was beginning to wonder if he was pissed at me from last night.

              After a week of him turning me down and ignoring me I decided to confront him. “Did I miss something, because last time I checked we had a pretty sweet deal going? Did you change your mind?” I whispered, while Ms. Kraft let us have some free time.

             
“Sorry, I’ve just been busy,” he said, not even looking at me.