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“Why did you call me a rare gem?”
He looks down at me, his blue eyes sparkling. “You are innocent and genuine. It’s something I don’t see in my world. I haven’t since I was ten.” His face clouds over, his expression darkening momentarily. But then he shakes it away, his lips curving into a soft smile. “It’s refreshing.”
I shrug. “I’m just me, William. No one special.”
He stops, his hand reaches for mine, squeezing it. “You’re wrong, Irelynn. You’re very special.”
Swallowing hard, the look on his face makes me nervous. My hands tremble slightly, barely able to hold on to the rose that is still in my hand. “Um… we better go before I’m late.”
He smirks, clearly aware of his effect on me, and starts walking. “You’re with me, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
The rest of my day continued with him dropping me off and picking me up, all taunts and teasing ceasing, even after he leaves the classroom.
Still, William makes me uneasy, especially when he asks how I’m getting home. “Oh, my mom is coming to pick me up.”
“I’ll take you home.” He waves his hand dismissively, typing on his phone.
“Oh, no, you don’t need to do that. Besides, she doesn’t mind.”
“I texted Mike and he said he’ll tell her not to bother.” He grins at me as he walks me to my locker and then out to his BMW. He holds the door open and I slide inside, the new car smell assaulting my senses, mixing with his aroma of spice and wood.
His shoulders are back, his posture perfect, as he swaggers to the driver’s side of his car. Students walk by us, gaping at me, the look on their faces changing from disbelief to respect.
As though I belong to him.
He slides in beside me, starting his car, music flowing through the speakers. Sliding a pair of expensive looking sunglasses on his face, William shifts into reverse, backing out of the space, his movements fluid and graceful.
Raising his brows, he catches me watching him. “Do you know how to drive a five-speed?”
I shake my head. “No, I’ve only driven an automatic. My dad has been trying to teach me, but my coordination is lacking. I can’t seem to shift without grinding the gears.”
Glancing over at me, a smirk pulls at his lip. “You can grind my gears any day.” He stares at me for longer than he should as I scowl at him, the innuendo clear. His gaze goes to the road, then back to mine, lowering his sunglasses slightly. “I could teach you, if you want.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I get nervous enough in my dad’s car. I can’t imagine learning in… this.” Images of me wrecking his expensive car float through my mind and I shudder.
“You wouldn’t wreck. I have more faith in you than that.”
Raising my brows, complete disbelief is on my face. “Seriously? Are you crazy? I’d definitely wreck, especially with that kind of pressure on me.”
He grabs my arm, moving my hand to his gearshift, his warm palm covering mine. “Let me show you.” I watch him push in the clutch, his hand guiding mine as we shift gears. I concentrate on his movements, and pretty soon, he removes his hand, telling me when to shift. I grin as he turns us onto a long stretch of road. “I’m not going to tell you when to shift.” He removes his sunglasses. “You’ve got this, Irelynn. Trust yourself.”
And I do, shifting gears effortlessly whenever he pushes in the clutch. We do this the rest of the way to my house, and I feel elated when we pull into my driveway. He takes over, parking behind Mike’s vehicle, cutting the ignition.
“See? I told you that you could do it.” He grins, opening his door and hopping out before I can say anything. I reach for the handle to open my door, but he’s already there, pulling it open, holding out his hand. Unease hits me again as I take his hand, stepping out of his vehicle. It seems like an odd gesture, considering he’s only dropping me off from school.
Dropping my hand, he shoves them into his pockets. “I hope Mike is feeling better.” William is so close to me that his arm lightly brushes mine as we head to the front door.
“He texted me when I was in class this afternoon. He went to the doctors and was diagnosed with a sinus infection. Hopefully, the meds will help.” I open the door, stepping inside to find Mike sprawled on the couch in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, playing video games. I glance over my shoulder at William. “He seems fine to me.”
Mike sets the controller down when he sees William, getting up and slapping hands, doing that weird handshake thing they do. I use that opportunity to escape to my room, telling them I need to change.
William’s gaze burns into me as I flee the room, running up the stairs.
Once inside my room, I shut my door, leaning against it, breathing heavily. The way he hovers over me, as though I’m his, is smothering.
I pull off the uniform, changing into running attire. I grab my phone and earbuds, the uniform over my other arm.
Returning to the living room, I hold it out to William. “Thanks, again.” I look around, realizing Mike isn’t there.
