The Broken Raven - A Paradox Of Two Worlds Series Book 1

Chapter 37- Raven

I feel a chilling breeze on my naked back as I awaken. I turn to see Clay still sleeping on his back. I can't stop staring at his tattoos. The snake descending his right forearm and the wings on his chest. The concealed tattoos on his left arm that were covered under the pillow, as well as the moon and sun in the centre of his abdomen. the blue rose with the twine ribbon. I remember how I trembled under his touch last night when his muscles under his skin tightened, pulsing the tattoos on his arms and chest. Even just thinking about it makes me anxious.

"Good morning, like something you see?" He laughs. I blush, feeling caught off guard.

"I was... I don't know, I'm sorry." I say, covering my face with my hands. I could die of embarrassment right now. He sits up to join me and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ears.

"Don't be sorry, this," He points to himself, "is yours to look at or do whatever you please with." He states with a smirk.

"Clay!" I swat his arm, and he falls back, all dramatic, and starts laughing. I grab my phone, and it's eleven in the morning. Shit. "Crap, I'm going to be late."

"Don't go. Stay in bed with me." He pleads.

"Clay, I have to go, I promised him." He gets up, gets dressed, and walks out the door.

"I'll call you after, and maybe we can figure out what happened when you know..." Showing him my wrist.

"Yeah, whatever, I'll see you later." He shows no emotion, he just walks out. What the hell?

I glance at the time, and it's ten past eleven. Crap, I have to get ready. I take a quick shower, throw my hair up into a bun, throw my clothes on, and slip my shoes on. I need a coat or something. I grab my hoodie jean jacket, grab my phone and keys, and head out.

⁂

Zack is waiting inside the tiny bistro near the campus when I get there. Logan and Brie join us after two minutes. I start to hear familiar voices as time goes on. As we converse, I look up to see Sloane, Bronx, and Thair enter. Clay is directly behind them. He treats me like a total stranger. Why is Clay with her? Sloane beams at me as if she has just won something. The table next to us is taken by them. I take a deep breath and try to control my tears as I stare at Brie and Logan. I'm not sad; in fact, I'm enraged.

Oh, how everything can change in one night!

Logan whispers, "Just pretend he isn't here." I nod and try to continue our conversation. Everything is fine until I hear Sloane laughing. I then look over, and she is practically all over Clay. She is sitting on his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. He doesn't seem to care that I am sitting right here.

I can feel myself getting red. "Aw, Clay, I think that one is jealous," Thair says, looking at me.

Everyone else besides him laughs. He looks directly through me. It hurts like a blade went through my heart. I want to smack him because of the mocking malice in his gaze. I nod as I stand up to leave after Brie murmurs, "Go."

"Look, she can't handle a joke. She's running." Thair taunts. I turn to face Clay, anger building up, but I keep calm.

"It's funny how the tables have turned. You can't seem to grasp that I'm the one girl who won't do what you want. I know what I'm worth and what I've got, so screw you!" I say, shaking my head like he is a disappointment.

He lets out a sly chuckle and says, "And you were merely a girl to toy with." He says and looks away.

He got what he wanted, and I stand there looking like a fool who fell for his mind games, but he seems to have forgotten that I'm better at this than he is. I can take advantage of the fact that he despises Zack. Even worse, when Bronx was all over me, he became quite envious. I secretly smile.