Page 28 of Plaything

She hesitated, sending Reesia one last glare before she got up and followed him out the back door.

Reesia stuck her tongue out behind her. “Not so tough now,” she sang quietly, clearly happy with herself.

Niko stood up, and Reesia let go of my hand as she looked between the two of us. “Come on, I can hear your stomach growling,” he touched my shoulder, gently ushering me to the kitchen.

Once we were away from everyone else, I sighed, feeling emotionally exhausted. “That was weird, right?” I questioned. “I mean, I don’t know what to think of any of that. Did I give Jamie a weird look or something? Why did she get so mad when Reesia called her Trix? Why did Reesia ask if she could have me? What does that mean? Am I being punked? Did you hire those people?” I ranted, letting all my confusion come to the surface.

Niko chuckled. “I’m sorry,” he scooped some spaghetti onto a plate for me, setting it in front of me where I sat at the kitchen counter. He leaned on the other side across from me. “No, they’re not actors. Reesia can be... weird and forward, but she means well; she just doesn’t have a filter. Collin is always quiet, but he’s a nice guy. Vincent is more Dominic’s friend than mine; I don’t know him too well. And Jamie is... well, she’s intense,” he shrugged. “She doesn’t get along with Reesia, but they’re usually more civil than that.”

That answered none of my questions. I bit my lip, “Where did you meet?” I asked, taking a bite.

Niko crossed his arms over his chest. “We have similar interests,” he avoided the question again.

I had a hard time believing Reesia had anything in common with any of the people in that room. She just seemed so... bubbly and frilly. The rest of them, totally. They all had that intensity about them that was unquestionable.

If he didn’t want to answer, I wasn’t going to push it. “You can go back; you don’t have to stay here while I eat.” I’d eaten alone most of my life, and sometimes eating in front of people—especially when they’re not eating—made me self-conscious of how I chew.

Niko pushed his head back, seeming offended. “I haven’t seen you all day.” He turned, grabbing another plate. “And spaghetti is my favorite,” he joked, dishing himself up.

I smiled, that same feeling of being wanted consuming me. “I got a lot of homework done,” I grinned.

“I know,” he responded quickly, giving me an amused look. “I get a notification every time an assignment is turned in.”

“Do all teachers?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t being annoying, making their phone go crazy on their weekends.

“Most do. Wait until 11:59 tonight and watch this thing go crazy,” he wiggled his phone before putting it in his pocket.

I cringed. “The thought of so many people turning in their assignments at the last minute makes me anxious,” I groaned.

“For most students, the thought of completing their work a week in advance seems arduous,” he shot back with an amused smirk.

“It is. Learning doesn’t come easily for me, just like it doesn’t for other students. I have a legitimate phobia of failure; the word alone makes me break out in hives,” I cringed, showing him small veins that started to pop out on my hands, “See?”

Niko’s eyes softened as he looked at my hand, then back at me. It was quiet for a moment as we ate.

“You know,” he started. “I’ve been racking my mind, trying to figure out how I’ve never noticed you before. You’ve been in my class for years. I’ve graded your papers and read your name on them, but I’ve never seen you until you walked through that door,” he admitted quietly.

The tenderness in his voice made my cheeks flush again, and I couldn’t help but wonder. “And now that you have?” I asked, hoping he’d say something along the lines of ‘I’m glad to have met you.’

He smiled, making small wrinkles appear on the corners of his bright eyes. “I think very pretty is the understatement of the century,” he flirted.

Letting out a small laugh, I felt a blush reach my ears. Happiness filled my stomach, recalling the events of the past few days. Wyatt was the kindest person I’d ever met, always going out of his way to ensure I felt welcome. Aiden had somehow turned my horny switch on, and I couldn’t turn it off. Dominic admitted that he thought I was pretty, and I got to hear that pleased tone I’d been wanting to. Niko was shamelessly flirting with me, and I didn’t mind one bit.

Shouldn’t I be weirded out or feel guilty because he was my professor? I searched my thoughts and couldn’t find any part of me that wasn’t okay with this. Actually, I wanted him to keep flirting with me.

I blinked over at him, a small smile on my lips. “Can I ask you something?” I started, letting my curiosity get the best of me.

He nodded.

Thinking over my following words, I decided to keep it casual but address my nagging thoughts. “Should you have said that?” I asked a playful tone in my voice.

Niko smirked, cocking his head to the side as he thought. He leaned against the counter, his strong arms holding him up. “I won’t tell if you don’t,” his voice was deep and charming.

My lips parted as he stared at me; his eyes held a playful sparkle, but there was no lie in his words.

Heaven help the lands because a new wave of pollution and acid rain was coming, and it would take everyone in this house down with it.

Niko’s’ shoulders relaxed, and his face became more serious. “You’ve consumed my every thought, Odette. I’m a selfish man, and I pursue what I want,” he eyed me. “I want you,” he said boldly.

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