Iced Hearts And Half Time Kisses

Chapter 11 After Turning 18

Hunter’s voice lingers in the air, as he leans back in his chair, his arms folding across his chest. “I hope you love it here.” His words carry a weight that Skye can’t quite place, like a puzzle piece that doesn’t fit yet.

Knox doesn’t say much, but Skye can tell by the way his jaw’s tight, a muscle twitching just under the skin, that he’s keeping a lot from her. Hunter’s eyes are the kind a person senses before they see them, they’re piercing, slightly amused, and seem to study her for reasons she won’t realize until it’s too late. He tilts his head, his gaze flicking over her face as if he’s cataloging every detail.

“So, Skye,” Hunter says, his tone probing, “where are you staying around here?” He leans forward, elbows on the table, his posture relaxed but his attention was like a predator sizing up its prey.

Skye shifts in her seat. “Uh, just the hostel near campus,” she says. She glances at Knox, hoping for some kind of signal, but he’s staring at Hunter, his cold hard and unreadable eyes on him, his coffee cup gripped a little too tightly.

Hunter ignores him.

“How long have you been in town?” Hunter asks, his smile widening just enough to show a flash of teeth. It’s a harmless question, but something about the way he asks it makes her uncomfortable

“A few weeks,” she answers, her cheeks warming under his gaze. She tucks a strand of damp hair behind her ear, wishing she could shrink into her coat. “Just getting settled.” She added.

Knox shifts beside her as he leans forward slightly. “She’s fine, Hunter,” he says, his voice aggressive.

Hunter doesn’t flinch. If anything, his smile grows, like he’s enjoying the tension. “Just making conversation,” he says, his tone almost too calm. He leans in closer to Skye, his voice dropping. “You’ve got that look, you know. Like you’re figuring out who I am.” He pauses. “But you don’t….”

Skye opens her mouth to respond, but before she can, Knox’s hand slides across the table, his fingers brushing her knuckles in a quick, silent warning. The touch sends a jolt through her, her heart skipping for reasons that have nothing to do with Hunter. She glances at Knox, but he’s still staring at Hunter, his expression, a calm that doesn’t reach his eyes.

Suddenly, Hunter’s phone buzzes on the table, the screen lighting up with a notification. He glances at it, his smirk fading for a split second before returning. “Well, Skye,” he says, standing with a lazy stretch, “we’ll cross paths again.” He gives Knox a pointed look, his smile turning cold. “Catch you later, man.” He added.

As Hunter saunters out of the café, Skye turns to Knox, her brow furrowing. “Who was that?” she asks, her voice soft but insistent.

Knox leans back in his chair. “Just some punk noser,” he says, brushing it off. “Don’t worry about him.”

Skye frowns, not buying it. “He seemed to know you. Like, really know you.”

Knox’s jaw tightens again, and he stands abruptly, grabbing his coffee cup. “Come on,” he says, his voice’s gruff.

She hesitates, then follows him out, the cold air hitting her face as they step onto the snowy sidewalk. Skye keeps stealing glances at Knox, his dark hair falling into his eyes. His hands shoved deep into his pockets. She wants to ask more about Hunter, but something in his posture tells her to let it go, maybe for now.

They turn down a quieter street, the campus noise fading behind them. The path narrows, lined with snow-dusted hedges, and soon they’re alone, just the two of them. Skye’s breath catches as Knox suddenly stops, turning to face her.

“Here’s cozy.” He says.

Before she can reply, he steps closer, his hands finding the wall behind her, pinning her gently against the wall. Her heart races as she looks up at him.

His face is close, too close, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that makes her stomach flip shyly. The air between them feels charged. She can’t look away, her gaze tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the way his lips curve just slightly, like he’s fighting a smile.

“How many people have you kissed?” he asks, his voice almost like a sexy whisper, but there’s a teasing edge to it that makes her cheeks burn.

She swallows as her lips curved into a shy smile, her hands pressing flat against the wall behind her. “Just… you,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. Her face feels like it’s on fire, and she turns her head to the side, unable to hold his gaze.

Knox’s lips quirk into a smile. “Don’t lie to me,” he says, like he’s teasing her.

“I’m not lying,” she insists, her voice stronger now, though her blush deepens. She forces herself to look at him, her eyes filled with earnest. “You’re the only one.”

His smile softens, just for a moment, and he leans in closer, his breath warm against her cheek. “You want to kiss me again?” he asks, his voice dropping even lower, his fingers brushing lightly against her wrist.

Skye’s heart stumbles, and she nods before she can stop herself, her voice barely audible. “Yes.” The word feels like a confession, and she ducks her head in approval, her hair falling over her face.

Knox smirks. “You’re cute when you blush,” he says, his fingers grazing her arm now, slow as they move, like he’s savoring the moment. “You got a boyfriend?”

She shakes her head, her voice caught in her throat. “No,” she manages, then adds, softer, “Do you… have a girlfriend?”

He smirks, that cold, confident edge returning. “Nah. Never dated anyone. Girls just… come at me.” His hand moves to her face, pushing some strands of hair off her face, his touch light but electric, making her skin tingle. “Always have.” He added in a slur near her ear.

Skye’s breath hitches, and she looks up at him, her eyes wide. “Do you… like kissing me?” she asks, her voice filled with nerves, her fingers curling into dress in shyness.

His smirk softens as he leans closer, his thumb brushing the edge of her jaw. “Yeah,” he says, his voice husky. “I like it a lot.” His fingers trail down her neck and she feels her whole body warm under his touch.

She bites her lip, her heart pounding so loud she’s sure he can hear it. “I’m… I’m a virgin,” she blurts out, the words spilling out before she can stop them and she looks away, mortified.

Knox goes still, his hand pausing on her neck. For a moment, he doesn’t say anything, and the silence feels deafening.

She looks at him but could not hold the gaze, her eyes averting, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t mind. I really do like you a lot."

He tilts her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes are intense, searching, but there’s a warmth there she hasn’t seen before. “How old are you, Skye?” he asks.

“Seventeen,” she says, then adds quickly, “but I’ll be eighteen in a few days.”

He pause, his thumb brushing her chin as she broke the silence again.

“What’s o****m?” Her voice, barely audible.

His lips curve into a slow, knowing smile, his eyes never leaving hers. “You want to know what it is?” he asks.

Skye’s heart racing as she nods. “Yes.”

He leans closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispers, “Alright. I’ll show you on your birthday when you are finally 18. That will be a birthday present.”