It Begins With Us

23.

"I got it!" I exclaim as we begin to glide.

"Bummer!" He laughs and I gently shove him.

"We can most definitely still have that tutor session," I press my lips to his shoulder and then look up at him, "I don't think I'm anywhere near good enough."

Ryle's shoulders stiffen underneath my hands and I squeeze them. I curl my fingers around his collar and pull it back exposing the skin that I'd marked. Risking embarrassment I press my lips to the bruised skin.

"You have no idea what you just got yourself into." Ryle leans down and presses his forehead to mine, his fingers gently digging into my skin and his body pressed against mine.

"Oh I have every idea of what I've gotten myself into." I reply, staring up at him.

I watch his lips move apart, as his tongue runs across his top teeth. His jaw is tense and his eyes tell me to stop, but also to keep going.

"Ryle! Alba!" Marshall's voice rings out and we simultaneously turn our heads in his direction.

"Woah there!" He laughs putting his hands up.

"Wait, are those mosquito bites I spy?" Marshall teases and I realize I must have pushed my hair behind my shoulders when we were dancing.

"You've been real busy haven't you? Ryle my boy!" Marshall comes over and I step back a little to give him space to join us, but Ryle grabs my hand and pulls me right back in.

"The two of you are-" Marshall freezes and stares at Ryle then grabs him by the collar.

"What are you-?" Ryle starts but Marshall cuts him off.

"I see the mosquitos got you too." He pokes at Ryle's bruised neck and then he turns to me with a knowing look. "A less experienced mosquitos."

I groan as Marshall smiles down at me like a proud Momma. I press my face into Ryle bicep, I'm starting to feel dizzy with just how hot my face as gotten.

"Oh don't be shy!" Marshall snickers. "Not after pulling his collar open like you did just a few seconds ago."

"Maaarshaaaaall." I groan and his snickers turn into full blown laughter.

"Fine, fine! I'll let it go, only on one condition." He puts up a finger and Ryle watches him dryly.

Out of nowhere I feel Ryle's hand climb up from the small of my back, all the way to my bra clasp. He pinches it, fiddles and plays with it, nearly scaring me half to death. I seriously hope nobody's looking at us. Is he doing it on purpose? Or is he unaware? 

As if, he's definitely aware.

"Gotta keep them on display. Your hair," Marshall points at me, "stays back, and your collar," he points back at Ryle, "stays wide open."

"That's what I had in mind." Ryle smirk and Marshall smirks back and walks away guiding us to wherever he wants to showcase us.

The table that he takes us to is almost full, with only three empty seats. The rest are occupied by just the crowd I'd want to surround myself with, unamused Alyssa, a downcast Lily, and a misplaced Atlas. He seems a little awkward to all this, just like me.