SHE (Book #1)

16

***Malachi***

"Can you listen before you kill me, dammit Tempest?" I am currently trapped against the wall as she threatens to throw a vase at my head.

"You knew this whole entire time. You even warned me about him and you didn't bother to tell me that the glove was an innuendo!!" She puts the vase down and throws an apple at me.

"I was going to," I catch the second apple and take a bite, "but you went on a whole rant about equal rights for women and how shitty I am,"

I catch the third apple and throw it back at her. She, unfortunately, does not catch it and it hits her on her... chest area.

"Ow, you jerk,"

"Sorry, I was expecting you to have a super-fast reflex," I slowly and cautiously approach her, as she crosses her arms. "I swear I would have told you in an instant, but I have so busy,"

"It's whatever," she pulls out a seat from the island and takes a seat, "I heard that you don't participate in these things,"

I lean against the marble top right beside her as she plays with her fingers. She looks upset beyond explanation, and she has every right to be. After everything she had said about this topic of sex, this is probably pretty disturbing to her.

"Yeah, I don't like how they are passing each other around and they have to face each other after.... ugh hell no," I cringe at the thought of having a one-night stand and seeing that person over and over.

"You rather never see someone again after a night of... getting to know each other with your clothes off?" she is so cute. The way she avoids saying sex like it is some forbidden word. I love it. It's refreshing to have a censored conversation.

But I can't help but wonder what she has against sex. 
She seems to be so against it, in a polite and personal way. 

"It's very awkward to have a one-night stand and then look at someone the same way. You wouldn't understand," 

She shifts in her seat and places her head in her hands, "Olivia doesn't like this idea, and I have an idea as to how we can change it up for her. She told me that she was afraid of upsetting the people who like to do this whole Gloving Game, but I think she should care more about what she wants than what others want," 

"So what is she going to do? Cancel it all the way?" 

I like how the sunlight streams through the window and unto her. Her usual dark hair looks like strings of gold, and her skin glows. She looks up at the ceiling, her head thinking, calculating, planning. I allow myself to take in this view of her, her glistening lips, her exposed neck. I don't realize what I am doing. I let my finger touch her chin and trace down her neck to her collar bone. She shivers and looks at me.

"The hell are you doing?" she swats my hand off of her.

I blink really quickly, trying to explain myself. Nothing comes to my mind. I don't know how one can explain this situation. Her skin looked so soft and glowy. It was a moment of weakness.

"Why are you getting red? Are you okay?" she asks.

Even better. 
I am blushing.
I haven't blushed since middle school.
Freaking hell.

She extends her hand and feels my forehead, her other hand feels cups my cheek. She doesn't even realize it. She doesn't realize what she is doing is making everything worse. I close my eyes and count to ten, before gently grabbing her wrist and removing her hands from my face.

She recoils and places her hands on her lap, "You seem to have a normal temperature,"

"Fuck you," I groan and turn around.