Luke’s POV
“Father?” I knew when Father gave an order, no one would dare to go against him, but this…. this was too much. “Please can you reconsider?” I can not imagine why he would reduce me to a mere bodyguard, was that all I was useful for in his eyes?
Father remained silent, but his dark gaze caused me to flinch in my spot, and I quickly regretted my actions. I regained my composure, my head hung low as my jaw tightened in frustration.
From my peripheral vision, I saw her smile, and I couldn’t help but feel like she was mocking me. Anger bubbled in my chest, but my hands were tied, and not even my brothers bothered to step in.
Dinner was dismissed soon after, and as I stood to make my way to my room, her voice caused my steps to falter.
“Why do you hate me so much?” There was no curiosity in her tone, but rather there was a hint of smugness that caused the last thread of my patience to snap.
I turned slowly to face her, my hands balled into fists at my sides. “I would appreciate it if you don’t speak to me.”
“Hmmm.” She hummed in interest, leaning forward with her elbows propped on the table, her chin resting on her palms. “But aren’t you my bodyguard?”
I inhaled sharply through my nose, catching sight of Robert from the other end of the room mouthing ‘calm down’. It was then I realized she was toying with me to get a reaction. What a sneaky bitch.
“I might be your bodyguard…” I took a step closer, hovering over the table so she could see that I was not a force to reckon with. “But also remember that I am superior to you, so you will show me the respect I deserve.”
“Oh?” She arched her brow, “We’ll see about that.” Her smile grew wider, amusement dancing in her green eyes. I turned to leave but then she sprung to her feet and grabbed me by my collar.
“What-” Before I could comprehend what was happening, she pressed her lips against mine, causing my eyes to go wider than saucers.
I froze, too stunned to move, and then she pulled back with a satisfied smirk.
“Respect is earned.” She whispered in my ears, her hot breath causing shivers to run down my spine.
*****
A week has passed since I’ve been guarding Seraphina, but it felt like years. The girl was insufferable, and after she forced a kiss on me, she kept asking for…more.
I didn’t know how to feel about it, that was my first kiss, and I had never fancied the thought of having a girlfriend. Not that I was considering it but….
“I want to go to school.” I looked up from my laptop, glancing at Seraphina who just walked out of my bathroom in a towel. I whipped my head forward, heat tickling my cheeks. What the hell is wrong with this girl?
“Would it kill you to stay in your fucking room?” I snapped at her, but she merely shrugged her shoulders.
“Aren’t you meant to guard me at all times?” She retorted, causing me to pinch the skin between my brows in frustration.
“We’re at the mansion and I doubt anything will happen to you here.”
“Should I tell father?”
I rolled my eyes at the threat. This was her method of keeping me in check, and I hated that she had this much power over me. Seraphina is the only daughter of a good friend of her father who died, so he took her in as his own, and he treated her with a delicacy I had never known.
I was raised to be an asset, my brothers as well, but she was given the attention I didn’t realize I wanted. And for that I envied her.
“Stay if you want.” I sighed, returning my attention to my work.
“Luke.”
“What is it?” I answered without looking at her.
“Help me get my towel.”
“What do…” My words faded off my tongue as I turned to see the towel at her feet, while her naked body was left uncovered.
I stilled, wondering what trick she was trying to pull now.
“I’m waiting.” Seraphina crossed her hands over her chest, her expression giving nothing away.
I snapped out of my daze, trying my best to remain calm as I rose to my feet. I tried my best not to look at her as I bent to pick up the towel, instead, I kept my gaze on the wall clock behind her.
“Here.” I handed it to her, my voice hoarse. “And stop acting this way.”
Seraphina looked up at me, her chin tipped higher in defiance. “Why are your cheeks red?”
Oh for the love of God. “Because a foolish girl is naked in my room.” I forced out, wishing she could just take the damn towel and leave.
But instead, she pressed her palms against my chest, caressing it. I swallowed hard, my jaw ticking as I felt my reserve waver. “Seraphina,” I warned, and in response, her lips curved into a knowing smile.
“Your heart is racing.” She whispered sensually, her green eyes glinting with amusement. “Why?”
I remained silent because I didn’t know the answer to it myself.
“Stop toying with me.” I looked right into her eyes, but her gaze was unwavering.
“Do you see me as a woman Luke?”
Again with the questions. “I don’t know what you mean.”
For a moment she looked pissed, but then her smile turned into a sly smirk.
“Touch me.”
I stared at her in disbelief, hoping I misheard her. But then she grabbed my hand and pressed it against her breast. My breath hitched in my throat, and I jerked back as if I had touched hot coal, stumbling back to the ground with a hard thud.
Shit. What is this situation? Had she gone over the rails?
Seraphina sighed, and then she bent to pick up the towel I had dropped. “Boring.” Saying that, she wrapped the towel around her body and turned to the door.
“I’m starting school today, so be ready in the next fifteen minutes.”
The moment the door shut behind her, I heaved out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, slumping against the ground with a huff. As I absentmindedly stared at the ceiling, my hand palmed my crotch and I groaned at the evident bulge.
“Fuck.” I cursed under my breath. “Maybe I have gone crazy too.”
****
“This place is nice.” Seraphina walked with her hands tucked behind her back as we strolled through the halls of our college. “Do you have friends Luke?” She looked over her shoulder to flash me a sickening sweet smile.
How could she act normal after the stunt she pulled this morning? I hated how I couldn’t read her, it was the same with Ezekiel, who always hid behind a sly mask, but at least I had known him long enough to know what he was capable of.
But her? She was a total enigma.
“A few,” I say dryly, looking down at my watch. “Let me take you to your class-”
“Can I meet them?” She cut me off, turning on her heels to face me, her eyes sparkling with childlike excitement.
I shook my head. “You have class.” I reasoned, and her lips jutted out in a playful pout.
“Is that a no?” Her tone was pleading, but I knew better than to ignore the underlying threat.
I fought the urge the groan, as I was not in the position to refuse her. “Just a few minutes.”
“Yay!” She latched onto my arm, and I stiffened as her breast pressed against me. “Let’s go.”
We made our way to the campus garden, and soon I caught sight of Ezekiel and Veronica.
Veronica was busy reading a porn magazine out in the open, while Ezekiel leaned against the bench with a cigarette resting between his lips.
On sensing our presence, Veronica raised her gaze from the magazine, and her neutral expression shifted into slight surprise before turning smug.
“What do we have here?” She mused, tapping Ezekiel’s elbow to get his attention. “Has our dear Arroyal finally gotten laid?”
“Fuck you.” I scoffed at her.
Ezekiel turned to us with a mischievous grin. “Who’s that pretty little thing on your arm?”
I hesitated a bit, not knowing how to introduce her, “She’s-”
“Seraphina.” Seraphina stepped forward, then she extended her hand to Ezekiel for a handshake. “Nice to meet you.”
Ezekiel took Seraphina’s hand and pulled her close. My nostrils flared as she stumbled into his arms, and he held her waist to steady her.
“Likewise,” he answered smoothly, and I didn’t miss the pink tint that colored Seraphina’s cheeks as she looked up at him.
“You are scowling,” Veronica whispered to me, but I brushed her off. Although, I didn’t understand why seeing them like that irked me.
Or why my chest burned with annoyance.
Seraphina didn’t pull away, instead, she giggled as she leaned into Ezekiel, acting like a love-sick schoolgirl. When her gaze flickered to me, something flashed in those green eyes of hers, but it was gone before I could tell what it was.
What was this feeling?