AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Conrad,” she whispers, and it’s like a siren’s call.
“Shh.” I place a finger gently against her lips, feeling her sharp intake of breath. My pulse races, urging me to close the infinitesimal gap between desire and fulfillment.
Our breaths mingle, a caress as intimate as a touch. Her eyes, wide and expectant, mirror my own longing. Everything else fades into insignificance—this moment is ours, and ours alone.
I inch closer, drawn by an invisible force, my gaze fixed on her mouth. My heart hammers against my ribs, and just as our lips are about to meet?—
The door swings open. A rush of chatter spills into the room as students file in, breaking the spell. Brielle pulls back abruptly, a flush creeping over her cheeks.
“Sorry,” she mumbles, quickly moving to her seat. She fumbles for her notes, her movements brisk, trying to mask the interruption of our almost-kiss.
“Right,” I say, clearing my throat, trying to regain some semblance of composure as the rest of the class trickles in. I watch her for just a second longer, the image of her lips so close to mine etched into my memory.
“Okay, everyone,” I call out, louder than necessary, “let’s get started.”
I shuffle papers on my desk, a futile attempt to distract myself. Eager faces turn toward me, ready for today’s lesson, but Brielle captures my attention as she finds her rhythm among the others. She’s poised with her pen in hand, and I can’t help but feel that mix of anticipation and regret churning inside.
“Good morning,” I begin, my voice steady despite the storm inside. “As you know, we have an upcoming field trip to the museum in New York. It will be an excellent opportunity to see Greek antiquities up close.”
Laughter and whispers of excitement ripple through the class, but it’s Brielle’s quiet smile that sets my pulse racing anew. Her presence here changes everything. The trip, once just another educational outing, now holds a promise of something more, something like the thrill of a clandestine adventure.
I launch into the day’s topic, the architecture of the ancient Greeks, their mastery of form and function. My words are practiced, each sentence laid out with precision. Yet, beneath this academic veneer, my mind rebels, stealing glances back to that almost-kiss.
Descriptions of marble columns and amphitheaters spill from my lips, but it’s the curve of Brielle’s jaw that my mind traces. She takes notes diligently, and I wonder—what would it be like to have her look at me the way she looks at the pages before her…with focus, with intent?
“Remember,” I say, drawing myself back to the present as I conclude, “the Parthenon was not only a temple but also a testament to the power of Athens.” Just like Brielle is not only a student, but a testament to the power of an unforeseen attraction.
The lecture continues, an ebb and flow of questions and answers, but it’s the unspoken question that haunts me.
Could I, should I, pursue this? And could I share her with Levi and Grayson?
31
BRIELLE
The door bangs open. Callie’s there, panting like she’s run a marathon, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Get up, Brielle! You have to come with me, like, now!” Her hands are on her knees, her chest heaving as she catches her breath.
I’m still in bed, tangled in sheets that smell faintly of lavender, the morning light casting a warm glow across the room. I blink away the last vestiges of sleep and sit up.
“Callie, what—” My question dies on my lips as she grabs my arm, pulling me up.
“Trust me,” she insists, her grin infectious. “You’re not going to want to miss this.”
She pushes some clothes into my arms, not listening to any protests from me as I quickly get dressed.
Dad’s voice carries from the hallway. “Is it Christmas already, or is Callie just auditioning for the role of town crier?” He leans against the doorframe, his smile crinkling the corners of his eyes, a day’s stubble shadowing his jaw.
“Very funny, Jim,” Callie shoots back, but she’s laughing too.
He walks over, ruffling my hair—a gesture that once annoyed me, but now feels like a piece of home I don’t want to lose. He presses some bills into my hand. The paper is crisp, fresh.
“Go have fun, kiddo. Congratulations on…whatever has Callie this worked up.” His chuckle is warm, wrapping around us like a blanket.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say, pocketing the money. There’s a part of me that wants to stay, to soak up more of these simple moments, but Callie’s eager tug at my sleeve pulls me toward adventure.
“Come on, Brie! We’ve got a day to conquer!”
