DESIRE

CHAPTER EIGHT

THEODORE COHEN

Working with Winter had gone far better than I would have ever expected. I kept my lust under control; it was difficult, but I still did it. All I could do was admire her beauty, her sound and her looks. Her voice so angelic, so sweet and innocent. Her eyes. Those beautiful eyes of hers, brown like the most delicious chocolate. It was an amazing decision to have all the same classes as her. The way she would become so passionate about something which interested her. Her eyes would shine brightly, and she would mention her own opinion. Not for the whole class, of course. She would always talk to Nadora about everything even if Nadora wasn't listening.

"Theo?" I felt a tap on my left shoulder. Hearing an exquisite, delicate voice, I already knew who it belonged too. I turned around to Winter looking rather nervous. She shifted her weight from side to side, avoiding my gaze.

"Winter." I greeted. She glanced up at me between her delicate, long lashes. We walked down the hall in silence. I waited desperately for her to say something, but I also knew, it wasn't good for us to be seen together. The rumours about me floated around in the air, and new ones kept on coming. Plus, Winter was new and her getting a bad reputation wasn't something I desired. Then again when I made her stay away from me, then it would only intrigue her more... Hopefully.

"How was your day?" She asked carefully. I stared down at her. Something fixed her gaze on the ground.

"You shouldn't be talking to me, Winter," I said, ignoring her question. She stopped in her tracks and looked up at me. Her expression was blank, something I had never seen from her. Maybe, I didn't know everything about her after all. I stared at her, and she finally answered.

"Why?" Her voice was quiet like I had just broken her heart. It surprised me with the way she reacted.

"Or seen with me either," I ignored her question once again. Now, she glanced away, down at her hands.

"It's about those rumours, isn't it?" She replied the answer to her own question "I don't care about the rumours, and I thought you mentioned, I would get to know you," I sighed at her statement because she was right. I did say that.

"You certainly have a good memory as well, Winter Bray," I replied in a somewhat amused tone "I did tell you that, didn't I?"

Winter blushed. "Y-Yes, you did." She stuttered, nodding her head lightly. Her expression changed again to a look of thoughtfulness "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I replied. Now she blushed again, what was running through her mind?

"I was wondering- Uhm if you- you know- wanted to go to- erm my place - and maybe- uhm, maybe finish the assignment which- uhm- we're doing together?" Winter was crimson, and her voice was all shaken up. She didn't dare to look me in the eye while talking. I didn't answer since I wanted to see how she would react.

"You know what? I'm sorry, how stupid of me to ask. I sho-"

"Let's go." Winter looked up at me shocked like I had grown two heads. Her eyes were wide, and she froze on the spot. People were noticing us by now. They looked with narrowed eyes, whispering.

"We should go, now," I said, maybe a little too harshly. I guess Winter understood my message because she peered at her surroundings. I knew she got uncomfortable by the situation.

"Yeah." She answered quietly "We should." We walked further down the hall, the whispers got louder, and the students were starting to point fingers. I noticed Winter kept her head down the whole time.

"Are you cold?" I asked as I saw Winter shiver slightly. Walking outside in the parking lot, Winter shook her head at me. I let the way around the parking lot, and I didn't think Winter noticed, but when I stopped in front of the big, black motorbike, her eyes went wide.

"I-Is that yours?" She asked as if it would kill her. She had a true fear in her eyes, and her mouth was agape.

"It is, indeed," I replied. She looked even more afraid by my words.

"And you're going to ride... that?" I let out a small chuckle, it was almost unnoticeable. Winter stopped for a moment and turned towards me. She tilted her head to the side as she eyed me with curiosity.

"Did you jus-"

"No." I cut her off before she could finish her sentence "Come on." I gestured Winter towards the bike, but she didn't move a muscle. Her fear of the bike was one more of my mysteries to solve about her.

"I can't." Winter shook her head, stepping back slightly. People were still watching us like we were criminals. It took me everything not to bite their heads off and kill them instantly. The whispers hadn't stopped since the hallway, and I knew they wouldn't.

Winter got colder by standing here, outside in this weather. The wind hit her face which made her hair fly out of the way. I saw how tightly the coat which she wore, was hugged her figure.

"You can trust me," I reassured, looking over at her with a slightly bigger smile. Winter threw glances between me and my bike for what seemed like forever.

"I don't know. I mean, is it even safe? What if something happens and we end up in an accident? Or what if-"

"Winter." I cut her off, I couldn't stop myself from smiling "Stop overthinking, okay. Trust me."

"..Okay then," Winter answered with her insecurity not vanishing. I walked up to the bike, with Winter being very hesitant about even closing in on it. I placed myself on the bike and saw Winter struggling.

"Need help?"

"This is so embarrassing." Winter chuckled, shaking her head. I hopped off and stood behind Winter. Her scent filled my nostrils, and I could hear the blood pumping through her veins. The lust came back, but I had to remain in control.

"Place your hands here," I stated softly, yet with my voice being strained. I noticed how Winter's heartbeat quickened, making me smirk with no one seeing. Her back was slightly touching my chest, but only barely touching. I wished to kiss every inch of her, touch every inch "Place your right foot here, and left there." I continued to guide her.

I gave her a helmet as well, not wanting her to get hurt if something happened. And as soon as I got on the bike as well, I whispered huskily "Put your arms around me, and hold on tight." I felt Winter's hands sneak around my waist as she laid her head on my back. The grip wasn't tight, but I knew she would grip on tighter soon enough.

"I-I live on Maple Street, by the way," I nodded and turned on the engine.