ZARIA

Chapter 7

Zaria

Zaria smiled as she watched Ren almost vibrate in his place, his eyes glowing as they waited for our turn on the rollercoaster.

It was a tradition Kei, Ren, and Betty had; every day before Christmas, they would go to the Christmas market and spend the whole day there, eating sweets that the vendors sold and taking every ride there was in the amusement park that was erected every year in time for the holidays.

To her surprise, she had been invited as well. Although she had begged off at first, unwilling to intrude on what was obviously family time, seeing as Betty was obviously a part of the family despite her title as the housekeeper. Still, Ren had quickly convinced her otherwise, begging her to come with them. She conceded once she saw Kei nodding in agreement, one of his rare smiles gracing his lips.

So, there they were now, standing in line for another ride, and she couldn't help but share Ren's excitement. She had never been to an amusement park before, let alone ridden on any of the rides there, but as time passed, she began to realize what all the excitement was about.

"Go on." the man manning the rollercoaster said, unlatching the rope that separated the line from the ride. Ren quickly grabbed Betty's hand and all but ran in, taking one of the two seats available in one row. Betty joined him, sitting beside him and leaving Kei and her the row behind them.

Zaria glanced at Kei, and the man shrugged and made his way toward the seats, she following close behind as her stomach rolled in anticipation.

"You, okay?" Kei asked once they took their seats. Zaria was having difficulty strapping the safety belt on, and she sighed and shook her head no, making Kei snort at the look of utter betrayal she was throwing at the waistband.

"Let me." Kei said, and before she could say a word, the man moved, his hands taking the belt and tying it. Zaria's heart stopped beating for a moment before continuing at a more hurried pace as her nose filled with Kei's scent.

He smelled so good, something she had noticed already, but he was so close this time that she thought she would pass out. It was intoxicating, and she couldn't help but want more.

Kei was so close, barely an inch between them, and it would be so easy to just stick her head out, bury it into the man's neck, and inhale.

A small sigh escaped her mouth as that thought crossed her mind, and Kei glanced up, obviously hearing the quiet sound.

And just like that, she was once again under his spell, unable to look away, just like that day when she bumped into him in the backyard. Zaria could feel Kei's hands on her stomach, the skin beneath her jacket tingling from the sensation. Kei's warm breath that turned white on every exhale hit her mouth, and she couldn't help but lick her lips. Her breath stuttered when Kei's eyes fell on her lips, his gaze darkening as he looked back up.

"This is so great!" Ren's voice broke through the haze in her mind, making her jump as if waking up from a dream, Kei's hands leaving her body, and the man moving away, leaving her slightly bereft.

Zaria sighed, looking everywhere but at the man sitting beside her, even though she could feel that dark gaze burning a hole into the side of her head.

She felt out of sorts and confused, the feelings coursing through her blood a novelty. Zaria had never felt this way before, so nervous and out of depth as she did every time Kei was around, and she was absolutely petrified at the thought of what it could mean.

•

Zaria stumbled down the stairs, still feeling a bit groggy, yawning so widely that she feared her lower jaw would come unhinged. She had gone to bed late the previous night, but it was because of Ren this time.