Chapter 19: A possessive smile

"Wh-what are you doing?" Aria stammered; her voice was low and shaky.

"Relax," he murmured, his voice low and smooth. "I just wanted to talk to you."

Her pulse hammered in her ears. Her thoughts tangled, tripping over one another, yet all she could do was nod stiffly.

Her gaze remained locked on his, unable, unwilling, to break away.

Elion’s smile deepened, slow and deliberate. His fingers brushed down her arm, light as a breath, before sliding into hers and intertwining them. Aria jolted, heat rushing up her neck.

"I’ve been watching you," he said quietly.

Her breath hitched. "W-what!?" Panic flashed through her eyes, wide and trembling.

Then he let his charm skill loosen, just a fraction. It was like a silent explosion in Aria’s mind.

H-He’s so handsome—!

The thought screamed through her, uncontrollable, overwhelming.

"You keep stealing glances at me," Elion continued, voice dipping lower, "ever since yesterday. And today... even more."

He let the accusation linger, let the tension build before declaring. "I like you, Aria." He said it so calmly, so simply, as if he were commenting on the weather.

Aria froze.

Literal heat flushed up her neck and exploded across her face; if steam weren’t actually coming out of her head, it certainly felt like it.

Her eyes darted everywhere but at him; the arm Elion was holding trembled violently.

"W–what...?" she squeaked again, barely audible.

Elion tilted his head slightly, watching her unravel. "I know what ’I’ want," he said softly. "And I think I know what you want as well. We’re both adults, Aria. There’s no need to be shy."

"W–WHAT!? N-No!" she yelped, yanking her hand back as if his touch burned her.

Elion only smiled, amused and captivated all at once.

She’s so cute when she’s flustered,

he thought, taking in her red face and trembling shoulders.

"Are you denying that you like me, Aria?" he asked, his voice smooth, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Aria turned her head sharply to the side, refusing to answer, refusing to even look at him. Her heart thrashed in her chest, and all she could think was:

I can’t look at his face... it’s too handsome... too bright...!

Elion moved slowly, deliberately. His hand reached for her withdrawn arm again, giving her every chance to pull away.

She didn’t.

Aria’s breath caught as his fingers brushed her skin, warm and gentle, sliding down until he found her hand once more. She tensed, but didn’t push him away. Didn’t even try.

He’s so close!

Aria felt her body respond before her mind could even catch up. She felt the heat spreading through her, her breath uneven as she took in his scent.

Her lips parted in a tiny, soundless gasp.

"Elion..." she whispered, though she wasn’t even sure what she meant to say.

His thumb traced small circles against the back of her hand, soothing and devastating all at once. "You didn’t deny it," he murmured, leaning just a little closer. "And you’re not pulling away now."

He let a flicker of his sinful touch trickle into her.

"Mmmmmm!"

Aria trembled, her legs felt weak, her entire body humming with heat she didn’t know how to handle.

"I... I just..." Her voice cracked. She didn’t pull her arm back. She didn’t move at all.

Elion smiled softly, eyes fixed on her like she was the only thing in the room.

"Aria," he whispered, "look at me."

She squeezed her eyes shut because she knew the moment she looked at him, she’d melt.

Aria’s whole body felt tense, drawn tight like a bowstring, but her thoughts were already spiraling.

Every breath he took, every inch he leaned closer, sent another shiver racing down her spine.

Why is he affecting me like this?

Why can’t I think straight around him?

His presence alone lit something inside her chest, warm, confusing, too intense to ignore.

She swallowed hard, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Elion... what are you doing to me...? What do you want?"

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "I want you, Aria. Let me take care of you."

Aria’s breath caught in her throat as he spoke, her eyes fluttering closed. She couldn’t believe this was happening, but she found herself unable to resist him.

Aria’s body tensed as Elion’s lips brushed the side of her face, from her ear, down her cheek, trailing around her mouth, but her mind was already racing with anticipation.

She couldn’t believe how quickly she had become aroused by his presence, his touch igniting a fire within her.

Elion withdrew only for a moment, just enough for the warmth of him to slip away.

Aria’s eyes fluttered open in confusion... and then widened in pure panic.

He leaned in again, closer than before, so close she could feel the faint warmth of his breath brushing against her lips.

His own lips parted slightly, a subtle purse as his face inched toward hers.

Aria’s heart skipped, then stumbled, then nearly stopped altogether.

Everything around them slowed.

The air grew thick.

Her knees weakened.

Her mind blurred into static.

She couldn’t move.

She couldn’t speak.

All she could do was release a tiny, helpless whimper when his breath ghosted across her mouth.

Her fingers curled inward against her chest, trembling uncontrollably.

There was less than an inch between their lips now. Barely a breath.Barely a thought.

Just as Elion’s lips were about to brush hers, the sharp echo of footsteps broke through the silence of the lecture hall.

Elion froze.

Then he pulled back, smooth, unbothered, almost lazy in how he straightened himself.

Before she could even breathe, he gave her a soft, knowing smile. A smile that was warm... and undeniably possessive.

A shiver shot down Aria’s spine.

And then he simply walked away, heading back to his seat as if he hadn’t just turned her brain into molten chaos.

Aria’s pulse thundered helplessly in her chest. Her fingers trembled on her lap. Her lips were tingling from a kiss that didn’t even happen.

What... what was that?