There is always more.

—

We had spoken so deeply about the project that neither of us noticed the bell had rung.

He looked around and chuckled. “It seems that for the first time this class is actually engaging. Usually I am the first to leave.”

I put a hand to my cheek. Was it hot? Or was it that he was speaking in my direction and making it hot? He kept chuckling at me.

Pam walked quickly over to our table. She smiled cheerfully at Sasha.

“Hi. I’m Pam,” she chirped. Her hand shot out. Sasha gently shook her delicate hands in his large ones. Pam gave me a knowing glance or drama. “Shall we depart this place?”

“Yeah let’s get out of here,” I said, hurriedly gathering my items.

Sasha gathered his as well. He looked warily at his jacket, then opted to put it on.

—

Classes with Sasha were much more interesting for the rest of the day. We didn’t have every one together, but the ones we did were fun.

He was more talkative to me and Pam but no one else. Especially in Dragontongue. He spoke so quietly, as much as he could, that I had to lean all the way in to hear his voice.

“If you were to say that word in the southern regions it would mean to place bricks or stones atop each other as if building something. If you said that in the northeastern region, it means to fu— I’m sorry. To have relations with someone.”

Pam squealed and covered her mouth. I covered mine too. “Are you serious?!”

“Yes. And if you were to say this one in the Northernmost tip of the country, it is basically calling someone a piece of filth, while just a few regions down it simply means to clean something. You could get into a fight if you just go around saying some of these things just anywhere.”

He pointed out even more egregious language errors. And I leaned closer to see each word he pointed out. At one point, I had become so close that the heat radiating from his mouth warmed my face. I felt myself tremble. It was like some deep memory of my ancestors was awakening in me. Gods, all I could thing of was what kissing him would be like. That breath of flame like fire. I wanted to look into his throat where I knew a flickering flame lie in wait.—

“Class is over,” he rumbled into my ear, the hotness washing over my neck and head. He knew. He knew what I was thinking. His hand brushed against my arm as he got up to gather his things. I thought it was an accident until he glanced at me and smiled faintly. I composed myself the best I could. But Pam was at the edge of cackling.

—

Dragontongue had been our last class of the day—“you want that Dragontongue real bad huh?” Pam had teased—and Sasha was still wary of speaking aloud to others, and would not remove his jacket again. I was weak in the knees to be honest. I had no idea what to do with myself. I knew I was being so obvious. I am not good at hiding that sort of thing.

“It has been a fun time today. I hope we continue to be friends this semester. You two have been the most welcoming.” He said graciously. Pam smiled and waved. He made to leave.

I must have looked so disappointed because he stopped and turned his head around.

“Unless you had no plans?”

My whole brain broke. Plans? Uh…

“Huh?” I asked.

Pam perked up. “Nah she doesn’t have any plans.”

Sasha raised his chin and looked out the window. “We can go for a walk and speak of our project.”

“Okay see you later Leila. Call meee!” Pam said, and she hightailed it out of there. She left me!

I put my hands in my hips watching her speed away. Then I sighed, looking back at Sasha. Now that we were just standing there, I realized just how large he was. He was literally the only person in school taller than me. He gestured for me to walk beside him. I did. We didn’t say much until we left the school building. We walked along the quad together. Some students were staring at us. I suppose we made quite the pair walking together.

Truthfully, I had been staring at him in classes since he arrived that first day. I had noticed how smart he was in everything, and had been silently competing with him…

—

We ended up in a secluded spot near the lake, shaded by trees. Why did I lead him here. I know why I led him here. Or did he lead me…

Needless to say, we did not talk about the project. I plopped down on the grass. He did as well. I could hear that deep guttural noise in the back of his throat. My gods, if this was going to mess me up every time he made a sound I was a goner.

He seemed to be mulling over something.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I apologize if I was forward in Dragontongue class today,” he said. His baritone shook me to the core, the perfect frequency to rattle my bones. Was that it?

“Wait. Sorry? What?” I replied, confounded.

He chuckled to himself. “I don’t know what came over me,” he said, looking puzzled. As if this did not happen to him often.

Now I could play this one of two ways. I could play coy and flirtatious and mysterious. Or I could do the opposite of that and make a fool of myself.

“I… liked it?”

Fuuu— why did it come out as a question?

He looked surprised. And relieved. He brought himself closer, accepting my invitation. He removed his jacket, his muscles arms flexing.

“Really? I thought I messed up,” he mused. Laying the jacket behind him.

“Did you not see my goddamn legs shaking,” I muttered quietly under my breath. Not quietly enough.

He turned toward me. “Yes, I did” he replied, a wash of heat over me. I rubbed my face. What was he doing to me?

“I wish you would do it again,” I heard my mouth say. I was screaming inside.

—

I think the rest might be a tiny too steamy for WP. I had to Edit this one. I’m not sure. If you want to hear the conclusion of this particular part just let me know.