Page 98 of On Merit Alone
This must have shown on my face when I appeared in the locker area of the men’s room, because Ira immediately tsked, “Don’t look so happy to see me, Six.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, my hip locking to the side. “Well, considering the fact that you blackmailed me in here, I think my expression is appropriate.”
“I wouldn’t have to resort to blackmail just to see you if you weren’t avoiding me, Merit.” Ira stood from the seat in front of his locker and looked at me. He wore casual clothes. Slim fitting shorts with some cute little writing on one side. A white tee and whitepullover covering his top half. His curly hair was chopped a little shorter, his tapered undercut faded and his line new.
He got a haircut. He looked cute. I wanted to tell him so, but that would probably be weird. Right?
Walking in my direction, he stopped only when he was right over me. Mere inches away. Then he opened his arms up wide and raised an eyebrow at me. “You don’t have to stare at me like that, Six. Just tell me you want me.”
And there he went again. I rolled my eyes, stepping to turn away. Calm and easy, he looped his arms around me, pulling me into his body.
I melted.
You know those perfect hugs? The ones where the other person is just the right height and squeezes you just the right amount. That's what I felt as I looped my arms around Ira’s slim waist and melted into the warmth of his body. His chest was under my cheek. His arms like a barrier from the world around me. His steady frame a foundation.
Mine, if just for this moment.
It felt so nice and right that as he started to run soothing hands up my back, I sighed into him, holding on tighter.
Leaning down, Ira’s body rumbled with a chuckle as he murmured, “Like I said, just tell me you want me,howeveryou want me, and I’m there.”
Not removing my face from his chest, I asked, “Why’d you want me in here?”
“I missed you,” he said simply. When I didn’t respond he added, “And you were avoiding me. Any reason why?”
“I didn’t think you wanted to see me,” I said.
Pulling back he looked at me like I was crazy. “What gave you that impression? The part where I showed up at your house specificallytosee you? Or the part when I specifically told you I would be there for you? Your pick.”
If he could see a blush on my warm skin, I know he’d be staring at it now. Ducking my head I mumbled, “The part when you kissed me. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with that.”
He blinked at me, his eyes scouring my face trying to determine if I was serious. The scrutiny just made me recede further.
Ira tsked. “Sweetheart. Typically when someone kisses you it’s because they like you and want to see more of you, not less.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he shut me up by leaning very close to my mouth. My eyes shut on instinct, my mouth chasing his touch, but he didn’t close the small remaining distance between us. He just spoke. “And in our case, when I kiss you Merit, it’s because I want to see every part of you. Over and over until I have you memorized.”
My entire body heated with awareness. Curious and anticipatory. “Are you going to kiss me now?”
“No,” he said. I couldn’t help deflating a little at the rejection. Ira laughed. “Not because I don’t want to, Mer. But when I kiss you, you seem to disappear. And since I’m trying to keep you, it’s sort of a conflict of interest.”
Since I’m trying to keep you.
There went my cheeks burning again. But Ira was already starting to move away, pulling me further into the room as he did.
“Good job out there.”
“Thanks,” I grumbled.
“Well, that sure was convincing,” he scoffed. “What’s up with that answer?”
“While I appreciate the courtesy, it wasnota good job out there. If we keep this up, New York is going to crush us in a few weeks.”
He hummed thoughtfully. “Oh yeah, I forgot about that rivalry you have going on.”
“Yeah,” I scoffed. The rivalry he was referring to was that between the Mites and the New York Rebellion. Although, with our losing streak to them in the recent past, it was becoming less of arivalry and more of a slaughterhouse. “Not feeling too confident about that now.”
“I’m sure you guys will pull through,” he said.
