Page 21 of Learn Your Limits
His gaze holds mine as he takes the drawing from my hands.
What I’d really like to ask is,do you feel like you’re on fire, too?
“I kinda envy the ability to be able to come back through the flames after being completely destroyed. Like I could burn my world as I know it to the ground and somehow make it out alive.” A wistfulness coats Reid’s voice, and my chest aches from hearing it.
“It’s kind of comforting, isn’t it?” I ask, tempting fate as I take a step closer, beginning to close the space between us. “Knowing your situation doesn’t have to be permanent.” Tenderly, I circle his wrist with my fingers and move his drawing so it lies flat in the small amount of space between us.
His breath hitches in his throat as his gaze darts down to where we’re connected, tongue swiping across his lower lip before his eyes lift to meet mine once more. “It is,” he says softly.
His breathing becomes heavy as my thumb strokes across the inside of his wrist. My gaze falls to where we touch, where the pale color of his skin contrasts against the warmer tone of mine. Without thought, I bend my head forward as my lips ache to replace my thumb on his wrist.
Reid does nothing to stop my approach. His pupils are wide and so damn full of want. I bet he would let me ravage himagainst this desk right now. He’s probably imagining it too, with how rapidly his chest rises and falls.
I bend forward farther. He stays there frozen, in arousal or fear, I can’t tell, but it fuels me just the same. Only a few inches remain.
And the only thing that stops me from pressing a kiss to his skin is my reflection in a ring I’m wearing. It snaps me back into the moment. Where we are. Whowe are.
“I-I’m sorry,” I mutter my apology as I let go of Reid’s wrist and step away.
Two weeks have passed since that morning when I almostfinallyput my lips on Reid. I’ve replayed the tension-filled moment more times than I care to admit. But,Dios mio, how was I able to resist such a loving act, considering how raw and open he was being with me? It was as if he were personally askingmeto be the one to destroy him and breathe life back into him lest he be suffocated by the surrounding ashes.
With every glimpse into his mind, I find myself drawn closer to him. While the physical attraction is a large portion of what started our relationship, it’s the emotional aspect I am yearning for. What I wouldn’t fucking give to be able to talk to him about anything without restriction.
Not that we haven’t talked. As dangerous as it may be to do so, Reid and I have been seeing each other often. Long chats in my office, early breakfasts before class starts, and the occasional shared late dinner on a fatiguing day.
My restraint around him has impressed me. Almost as much as his good behavior has. Even in these moments when it’s just the two of us talking about our days or getting to know small things about each other, it still doesn’t feel like it’s only us in theroom. There is always an overbearing weight of my profession and his future—the one his parents have planned for him.
With our current conversation, it’s become clearer why Reid had a false name and very little information on his dating profile. I’ve learned his parents have a rather successful business and they expect him to join the ranks as soon as he graduates. It might be inappropriate, but a full body laugh leaves my lips when he informs me how difficult it would be to follow in the family steps since he’s never actually taken a business class during his three years at Oakhart.
I wipe the crumbs from the warm cheese danish that Reid has brought me this morning. “You’re a rebel with a cause, it seems,” I comment, setting the napkin down in front of me. He and I are sitting across from each other at a small table near the front of the lecture hall. “And thank you again for breakfast, Reid.”
His responding smile is radiant, even as he shakes his head at me. Following suit, he sets down his empty wrapper, leaving his hand only a few inches from mine.
“You’re the first person I’ve ever told about my desire to become a school counselor and work with children. I want to do something that matters, something where I feel like I’m making a difference in someone’s life, you know? You’re probably the only person in my life who would understand that feeling.” The levity in Reid’s voice is the sweetest sound I’ve heard in weeks, and I can’t resist cupping his hand into mine, if barely for a moment.
“And I’m honored you feel safe enough to share it with me.”
Chapter nineteen
Reid
The ache associated with wanting someone I can’t have seems to grow with each passing day. Milo and I have spent every free moment possible between our schedules messaging and video chatting, and it still doesn’t feel like enough. I hate that there’s an invisible barrier between us, one that neither of us wants, yet can’t do anything to tear down.
By the time midterms roll around, having to keep a distance from him has become damn near excruciating. Knowing the semester is just about halfway over is the only thing keeping me from completely drowning. Studying for midterm exams isn’t doing anything to distract me, but I know I need to. I can’t risk any of my grades slipping. I’ve got enough shit to deal with when it comes to my parents and their expectations; I don’t need a lecture about school on top of it all.
My phone begins vibrating on the bed beside me, and I groan in frustration when I look down to see my father’s name flashing across the screen. Leaning my head back against the wall, I close my eyes and silently count to three before I grab the device and swipe my finger across the screen to answer.
“He-Hello,” I say, clearing my throat in an attempt to get my voice to work properly.
“What’s wrong with your voice? Are you getting sick?” Where most parents would be concerned about their child not feeling well, his words are laced with accusation. There’s not a hint of concern present in his tone.
I wouldn’t dare expect any different.
“No, I’m not sick. I’m studying for midterms.” If he isn’t going to bother with niceties, then neither am I.
“Good. This won’t take long. I’ve arranged a date for you next Friday night.”
He... what?I must have heard him wrong. He’s never bothered to intervene with my love life before, and I highly doubt he cares now, which means he has some kind of ulterior motive. This isn’t about me; it's about him.
