Chapter 17

Cirilla's point of view

The door to my room jerked open the second Asher jumped off. Mum's sandy brown eyes fell on me instantly.

"Mum, you're back" I smiled a little, knowing she probably wouldn't return it but a little part of myself hoped she would. Somehow I thought two days apart would work magic on our relationship but it was obvious it didn't.

"Didn't you hear me call?" She barked, scrutinizing me, and I did her as well. Nothing changed. She was the same. Same appearance, and the same attitude.

"I was asleep" Her nose flared up in the air as she looked around my room as if sensing someone was there. Well, If she suspected anything, she didn't say a thing and just stormed off. leaving me to my thoughts and the tingles I was still feeling from the spot Asher's lips touched my cheek. I crashed on the bed, pulling the sheets to my face, and squealing into them.

I woke up early the next day and prepared for school. There was no point missing it if I'd only stay home alone, without any company and besides my ankle was all healed up.

' And without him' My tutelar voice sounded and I nodded absentmindedly in agreement. I wore a pair of black combat boots, black denim jeans, a black cropped top that exposed the skin around my belly button, and a white jacket.

I left for school. Everything was back to normal. I was with Niko, Lyra, and the guys during lunchtime. Asher was present as well and so was Julia. She didn't speak to me or even glance my way. While I tried not to stare at Asher.

Lunch was over. I got through the remaining classes until school was over. Vince and Miles gave me two days off from work and since it was Friday, my weekend was free. I decided to hang out with Lyra for the weekend, having some girl time alone.

I was on my way home from school, I snatched my phone from my bag about to call a cab, but hesitated. I was running low on cash, really low. I had to start cutting off some expenses on food and carfare. I sighed frustratingly, having no other choice but to walk all the way home.

Groaning, I swung my combat boots in motion. It would take me at least thirty-five minutes to walk home, and to be honest, I wasn't a fan of walking. I began my journey, and a few minutes later, a motorbike halted beside me. I whipped my head sideways and the perfect macho image of Asher on his motorbike was in complete view. He had his helmet up, so I could see the depth of his impenetrable green eyes.

"Hey, you need a ride?" He asked, I looked around and apparently, we were the only ones on the street.

I turned to him. That would be really great. But my pride couldn't let me say that. "Oh no. It's fine, I'll just walk" I smiled thankfully, silently praying to the heavens he kept insisting, rather than speeding off.

"Don't you worry, it's not a problem. I can take you" He insisted, not having a quit.

"My place is on the other side of yours, besides, it's not really far" I replied, peeling off the strain of desperation from my voice. Please, insist on some more. Please, Asher. My legs had already begun to hurt.

"Come on, I thought after these few days, we've gotten quite close" He surprised me by saying. I fell into the cave of silence.

Had we gotten quite close?

Well, he came to my place, slept in my bed, and saw me completely naked. He was right, we had gotten quite close, a safe distance close.

"So, let me take you, besides, we don't want to put more pressure on your ankle," He said, I couldn't see his lips, but I could just imagine the smirk playing on those luscious lips.

Well done Asher. Offer taken. I pretended to think for a full second, before sighing in resolve. "Fine"

He handed me a spare helmet and I buckled it under my chin, sliding behind him.

"Ready?" He asked, tilting his head a little behind.

"Yeah," I grabbed the bottom of his leather jacket for support. He ignited the engine about driving off but paused, briefly.

His hands caught mine, clasping it around his waist, causing me to pull into his back. "Hold on tight"

He kicked the bike in motion and we were on the road with the soft wind brushing against my skin. It was refreshing and beautiful. I closed my eyes, loving the speed at which we flew. I leaned my head on his shoulder when suddenly, the bike came to a halt. My eyes yanked open, and I saw the picturesque view of my apartment. I was home. Reluctantly, I unwrapped my hands from his waist and got off the bike.

I pulled off the helmet. He took off his as well, giving me the pleasure of exploring his facial features.

"Thanks for the ride"

He nodded, regarding me with a small smile. "My pleasure"

"And thank you for yesterday and the day before that, I'm indeed grateful"

His features softened, and his gaze on me grew intense. "You don't have to thank me for anything, ever" The way he said it sent a thrill down my spine. I didn't comment.

I gave him the helmet, and he took it from me. His hand brushed against mine, and immediately the beautiful and familiar sparks ignited, his emerald green gaze darkened and I had to force myself to look away. It wasn't safe. We were too close, and the intensity between us was overpowering. The magnetic pull was overwhelming and I could easily lose control and kiss him.

Something told me he was a second away from doing that. I jerked my hand away, but he gripped it, surprising me, he pulled my body to his. I placed a hand on his chest for support as my body fell into his.

Our faces were inches away, and our eyes were connected deeply. I could hear the slow beating of his heart but mine, in contrast, was in uproar, he could probably hear it. His head began to incline downward aiming for my lips, my breathing was labored, and the air around had been contaminated with his scent. It was intoxicating.

What cologne did he use? I wanted to ask. But now wasn't the time.

Warning bells rang in my head, but they were all halted by the voice purring in my head, exploding with a sensual sensation that was somehow affecting me. The bell rang again, reminding me to pull away. That I shouldn't... but how could I? This was Asher and his tempting lips,

The warning bells rang louder, quickly, I jarred away at the deafening bells that echoed in my ears. Asher stilled before me, the dark shade around his eyes vanished and I could see his perfect bright green.

"Oh, goddess. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that" He whispered more to himself.

I took a step back and broke the spell between us. "You should get going"

"I should? Yeah. You are right. I should" I held my bag and went inside. I didn't move from there till I heard the sound of Asher's bike speeding away. I went to my room, crashing on the bed. My eyes were on the ceiling thinking of what just happened, and what didn't and could have been if I hadn't pulled back.

I sighed, and the second me at the back of my head groaned in frustration. Asher made me feel so different, even without trying. And that was the problem. With Mason, I was in control, but with Asher, I was scared I would get completely lost in him. My thoughts were cut off when my phone rang.

I pulled it from my bag and froze at the incoming caller. Mason. I didn't know if I wanted to talk to him. It had been a few days before my accident since I last spoke to him, but now I felt weird. The ringing stopped and began again.

I sighed, receiving it. "Hey, hi" I tried sounding energetic.

"And how's my girl?" He asked in his familiar sweet voice.

A smile crept up on my lips. I flung my head on the pillow. "Tired but fine," I said in a voice I could barely recognize as mine. "You?"

"Feeling great now that I'm talking to you" He paused, chuckling. "I'm in town and I was thinking maybe we could see. I have something nice prepared for tonight. What do you say?"

If he had asked me a week ago, I would have jumped with ecstasy but not this time. "That's great, '' I managed to say.

"So? Do I pick you up?" His ever-beautiful voice drawled, awaiting a response. I sighed.

"Fine. Why not? But I'll meet you at the cafe" He agreed, and disconnected.

I lay in complete silence. I had to forget Asher and think more of Mason. Asher was a danger in all sense. A werewolf. Someone I should be terrified of, but I wasn't. Which was fucked up. Mason was a better choice, a safe zone.

The sun had begun to set, I showered and got dressed in jeans and a nice top. I reached the cafe and found Mason waiting for me. Such a gentleman, I must say. His eyes twinkled the moment they found me.

"Hey!" He slid a hand around my waist and placed a tender, soft kiss on my cheek. It was nice but it didn't ignite anything. No sparks. No tingles. No warmth. No feelings. Nothing.

Stop comparing him to Asher. The main reason I was here was to rekindle the chemistry between Mason and me, and Asher would be a silly moment in the past. Mason led me into his car and began driving. I had no idea where we were going. When I asked him he said it was a surprise. We came to a stop, and the moon had slowly taken its rightful place in the night sky.

"Where are we, Mason?" I asked as he held my hand, leading me through a narrow path. Before I could ask again, we reached a wide meadow field that was decorated with candlelights. In the middle, a tent had been set up.

I gaped at the beautiful view. He helped me sit down on the blanket spread on the earth.

"So?" He asked, brewing a mischievous smile.

"It's beautiful Mason," I said and there was a glint of sparkle in his eyes.

"I'm glad I could impress" He opened the basket lying next to him. It contained drinks and snacks.

"When did you plan all this?" I asked in surprise.

"Believe me, it wasn't easy but it was worth it" He handed me a drink. And poured in his. It wasn't anything I had tasted but I didn't ask.

"So are you back in town for a short while or do you plan on staying longer?" I filled the silent air, taking a bite from my muffin.

He sipped from his drink, having his dark gray irises on me. "No, the kind of work I do requires me to move around. I came to see you and I'll be leaving tomorrow but I'll be back again before the end of the week"

I nodded. "So what kind of work do you do?" I asked, realizing I knew little about him.

He laid on his elbow, never taking his eyes off me. "I..Uhm...I own an organization and we do some amazing works that would one day change the world, and also we find special kinds of people"

I nodded. That really explained nothing. "What kind of people?"

He smiled. "People like me that have been mistreated all their lives" I didn't understand what he meant.

"Do you have any family?" I asked him, his expression remained neutral, but I caught a flash of something I couldn't quite make out in his gaze.

"Family" He drawled, drinking from his glass. "The people I work with I consider my family" He paused, regarding me. "I wish one day you'll get to meet them"

I smiled, not commenting on that. He didn't exactly answer my question. In fact, he hasn't answered anything I asked, not to my satisfaction at least.

"So no parents? Siblings?" I poked again, adamantly.

He was studying me, the smile on his crescent lips shrinking. "Well, I had"

I leaned closer, curiously. "You had? What happened? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to"

"There's not much to talk about. I was pretty much abandoned, my life has been boring" His tone became serious and the air grew tense. Very tense.

"And you?" His black crystals searched mine, and his soothing smile appeared on his lips and warmth in his eyes. "You don't talk much about your family"

"There's not much to talk about. My life has been boring" I recited his line, smirking.

"I guess I deserved that" He grinned.

"But really, there's nothing much about me. I live with my single mum and we were abandoned by my father for another woman" I said emotionlessly.

"I didn't expect that. I'm sorry" He said, his eyes reflecting an indescribable emotion that wasn't pity, but instead, an understanding.

"You can't miss what you never had right?" I say, dropping my muffin for my drink.

His lips highlighted a smile. "Well then, I guess that's it for 'family' talk. It's killing the mood. Let's just say, it's their loss for not recognizing how special and incredible we are" He jerked up, pulling his glass up, smirking.

It made me laugh genuinely. "Yeah. Their loss" I clinked mine with his and sipped from my drink. We talked in general, more about my obsession with fireworks. And then he fell silent, his stare heavy on me.

"Can I kiss you?" His question threw me off balance, but it made my cheeks turn a rosy shade of pink. I wasn't expecting that.

I smiled, nodding, which made his smile deepen, showing off his twin dimples.

He leaned closer, gently pulling a hand to my cheek, and his lips brushed against mine. It started so tenderly and gently but soon became urgent and needy. I moved my lips to the rhythm of his, feeling the familiar need growing on me, one lacking passion, warmth, and maybe, just maybe love.

His fingers intertwined in my hair as he lowered me on the pillow, his kisses more demanding. He licked my upper lips, wanting permission, and as soon as I allowed him he explored my mouth. I felt the weight of his toned body on me as he positioned himself between my legs, he began to trail kisses from my jaw to my neck. I felt his hands slip under my top and he began to caress my skin.

"You have the most beautiful skin Cirilla" He moaned with desire. I felt the heat radiating off him. I desperately wanted to feel everything he was feeling but it wasn't working. It was as if my body was in unison with Mason's but my mind and thoughts were far away from someone else. Asher.

I badly wished he was the one kissing me, caressing me, but he wasn't. I closed my eyes, my mind imagining Asher's lips on mine, his skin against mine. I felt myself getting aroused, I whimpered feeling the trail of his kisses on my neck. I felt my zipper loosen and a warm hand slipped into it, journeying down.

My pulse quickened at the thought of what was about to happen. I did feel something for Mason, but I wasn't sure I wanted to have sex with him. It was too soon. Or maybe wrong timing and the wrong place. I pushed my eyes open, Mason had absconded his shirt and had unbuckled his jeans.

Before I could protest, he leaned on me, imprisoning my lips with his, he deepened the kiss and I felt his hands roam on my body.

'That's enough Cirilla!' My inner voice snapped furiously in warning. 'Don't delude yourself. He isn't Asher'

I snapped my eyes open, startling Mason and even startling myself. He creased his brows in confusion.

"What's wrong?" He asked, unsure, his body still on me.

I was speechless for a second. "I'm sorry Mason, I... it's just…"

He cut me off, chuckling awkwardly. "Too soon?"

No. It's just I want to, but not exactly with you. Gosh. I was crazy. And couldn't tell him that.

I nodded. He smiled down at me, it wasn't laced with rage.

"I'm sorry, I just got carried away" He pulled away and laid next to me. I wished I could tell him it wasn't his fault, I also got carried away thinking he was Asher. But I reserved my sentiment. We were now gazing at the bright moonlit sky, our skin against each other. He released a light, resounding chuckle.

I shifted my head, peering at his side profile. "What's amusing?"

"You. I mean Us" His gray eyes met mine. "Don't you feel the pull between us, like we were made for each other Cirilla" He was over the top serious. His facial features were damn serious. He lifted his hand to my face, planting a kiss on my lips. "I belong to you and you to me"

There was desire and profound want in his eyes. So much that I dared not say otherwise. I simply nodded, when the sound of fireworks drew my attention. I watched in fascination at the colorful display in the sky. Then my name appeared up there in the sky. Cirilla.

I turned to find Mason's lips wide with smiles. He did this, but I only just told him I loved the display of fireworks. Well, regardless, it was beautiful and flawless, like a work of magic.