Ever so slowly, I lowered my mouth to the lime. As I did so, I felt the brush of her lips on mine.
Just a touch. Just a breath, and it ignited fire in my veins.
And at that moment, I forgot a lot. My heart stopped, my breathing quit, my thoughts cea...
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Irresistible.
I looked down, not trusting myself at this proximity to him. God, what was I thinking? Augustus Casen, really? Of all people?
He was so... annoying. And self-centered. And smart. And pretty. And-
Fuck.
"Laurent?" His voice was barely above a whisper. "What are you thinking right now?"
I'm thinking that you're possibly the most gorgeous person I've seen in my life. I'm thinking that all I want to do is lean forward and feel those lips on mine.
When he stepped closer, I fucking lost it.
I had to shut my eyes from the view, from him. It was all too much.
"Open your eyes. Tell me you forgive me."
"I already said I did," I whispered, my voice strained.
"I want to hear it again. What I said was inexcusable. I shouldn't have ever said anything like that. And when I did, I should've automatically apologized. Instead, I sat there like a fool, watching you leave. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
I opened my eyes, reminding myself to breathe as I was suddenly aware of every part of his body that touched mine. "It's okay. I promise."
"You're sure?"
"If I wasn't, wouldn't you think I would let you know?"
He let out a breathy laugh, and I couldn't help but notice the way his eyes caught my lips. "Good, then. I'm glad."
It was silent until I asked, "Should we go back? Dr. Harrison might be waiting."
He stepped back immediately, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Uh, right. Let's go." He cleared his throat and opened the door, motioning for me to go first.
I led him back to the room, awkwardly nodding at the nurses who gave us peculiar looks for coming out of the janitor's closet. Once we were finally back in the safety of the lab, I could finally take a breath.
"What an experience," Augustus laughed from behind me.
I chuckled, shoving a finger in his face. "It was your fault. They were all giving me dirty looks. Now I'll never get a job here."
"Relax. We're in California. Unless you want to live here, you probably wouldn't apply for a job here anyways."
"Who knows? Maybe I'll go to medical school in California, and now you've ruined all my chances of getting a job."
"You're being overdramatic. You'll get a job somewhere else."
Emotional. Overdramatic.
How could he call me that? He would never fucking understand what it was like to be told over and over again that you'll never reach your dreams by your own father. That you were stupid and ugly every day. That you would never, ever be good enough.
