“It wasn’t easy.” I propped myself up on the circular bench of the fountain. “I ran for my life.”
“Did they catch up to you?” Tara’s eyes widened.
“One did.” I nodded and folded my arms over my chest, sighing as I recalled the events that had once broken me down. I’d refused to give up then, and I lived with the same mentality even now.
I wanted Tara to learn that same lesson. Life got tough sometimes, but there was no sense in sitting around waiting for it to get better. You had to go out there and achieve that part on your own. If you fell down, you just needed to stand back up, brush the dirt off your hands and knees, and keep charging forward no matter what kind of monsters loomed over your shoulder.
“What happened?” Tara leaned in closer, curiously. “Did they try to take you?”
“They tried.” I chuckled and shifted my weight. “But they weren’t successful.”
“Wow.” Tara gazed at me as if I was an angel sent from above to train her to be successful and resilient.
“I used the martial arts skills my father had taught me since I was old enough to walk,” I admitted. “It turns out they came in handy at saving my life. I knocked both of the guards down and kept on running until I stumbled into these other male Mutants who took me under their wing until I was old enough to go to Mutant school.”
“Incredible. You are so lucky,” Tara said.
“In some ways I am.” I shrugged. “But it still doesn’t change the fact that my parents were killed right in front of me.”
“I’m so sorry that happened to you.” Tara’s earnest smile melted my heart. I appreciated her sympathy.
“I wished my dad had been able to get away,” I said. “And my mom too, but she wasn’t skilled in martial arts like me and my dad, so it would have been harder for her.”
“I’m half-Mutant,” Tara said.
I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Me too.”
“I’m glad we have that in common,” Tara said. Her voice sounded relieved.
I noticed her shiver as the wind picked up. I wasn’t wearing a jacket to offer her. “Do you want to go inside? Do you want to see my dorm?”
Tara’s eyes danced with a mixture of reluctance and mischief. “Sure. I guess I could do that for a little while.”
I couldn’t contain my excitement. “Great.” I stood up and gestured to the tower where the male dormitories were located. “It’s just over that way.”
A few minutes later, Tara and I walked into my dorm room. I flicked on the light. The place was empty, much to my relief.
I glanced at Tara. “I have a roommate, but he’s hardly ever here.”
Tara let out a shy chuckle. “I guess that’s good for you, right?”
“Pretty much. He has a girlfriend, so he spends most of his time with her.”
I walked farther into the room and pointed to my bed. “That one is mine.”
“Oh.” I noticed Tara turn a slight shade of crimson. She swallowed hard and shifted her weight awkwardly.
I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. I pulled out my desk chair and offered it to her.
“You can sit here if you want.”
Tara visibly relaxed. “Thanks.”
She sat down in it and I sat on the bed next to her.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No.” She shook her head. “But thank you for the offer.”
“Of course.” I just wanted her to feel at peace.
Tara gazed at me with a contemplative expression.
“What is it?” I asked and curiously peered back at her.
Tara licked her lips and crossed her legs, leaning in closer to me. “You mentioned…” she trailed off and laughed, shaking her head . “Sorry. This is going to sound stupid, but—”
“Don’t assume you’ll sound foolish,” I said with an encouraging smile.
She raised her eyes to meet mine again. “Right. You mentioned that your roommate has a girlfriend?”
I scrutinized her. “Uh-huh.”
“That’s interesting…”
“Is it?” I laughed.
“Well, I was just going to ask you what the, um…what the dating policy is at this school?” She scratched the back of her head and winced, as if she were embarrassed to pose the question. Clearly it had been on her mind and I could tell that she was itching to broach the subject.
I leaned back against the wall and smiled. “You want to know the dating policy?”
“Yes.”
I shrugged and continued to grin at her. “I don’t know really. I’ve never actually given it much thought or paid attention. That is…until now. I do know that relationships are allowed on campus, but not with anyone not enrolled at the school.”
I tried to give her a seductive gaze and noticed that she blushed again. Her cheeks were rosy and her supple lips were full and red.
She shifted her gaze coyly away from me.
“I’ve never met a girl like you before,” I whispered.
She smiled and peered up at me as if trying to inspect my sincerity. “Really?”
“Yes. You are so amazing. You are unique and you have a divine skill set that I know will sharpen over time now that you are here at the school and training.”
“Thanks.” Tara glanced at her clasped hands. “That means a lot to me. I’m not used to getting so many…compliments.”
I smiled. “Well, get used to it, because there is more where that came from.”
She seemed content as she looked up at me once again. “So, the dating policy must be pretty lenient.”
“Somewhat,” I agreed with a nod. “My roommate certainly doesn’t have to hide it or anything, I know that much.”
Tara looked satisfied with that answer, but after a few minutes of us relaxing together and just talking, she looked disturbed again.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. I cupped my hand over her shoulder and rubbed it gently.
“It’s…nothing.” Tara turned her eyes away so that I couldn’t read her expression.
I stroked her hair, surprised that she didn’t flinch away. “Hey,” I whispered soothingly. “Whatever it is, you can talk to me about it.”
She finally looked at me, but there was struggle, pain, and confusion on her face. “I don’t know how to explain it.”
“I’ll tell you what my mother always told me,” I suggested. “If you find yourself at a loss for words, then lead with your emotions.”
She gave me an approving nod. “That makes sense.”
I didn’t want to push her because if I did, I was afraid that she would recoil even further into the depths of whatever was bothering her.
After a few moments, she let out a resigned sigh. “It’s just…I’m having so much fun with all of you guys.”
I chuckled. “So, what’s the problem with that?”
Tara appeared to be torn. “I don’t want to complicate things or tear your relationships apart. I don’t want to destroy your bond by making you rivals.”
I frowned, trying to manage my own confusion now. “Why would you think that you would ever have that effect on us or our friendships?”
Tara shrugged and picked at her thumbnail. “I don’t know. I just appreciate all of you. I want to get to know all of you. I don’t want there to be any jealousy among you.” She gave me a sheepish smile.
“Is that what you are so worried about?” I took her hands and cradled them with mine. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
I was trying to subtly tell her that her romantic explorations were no one’s business but her own, and that she had free agency over her future. She could control what made her happy.
“None of us here are dictators,” I reminded her. “You have free reign over your own life. No one here will tell you how to live it or what to do. You hold the key to your own destiny. You are the manager of your own talents and only you can tell yourself what will bring you pleasure.”
There were a few gleaming tears brimming at the edges of Tara’s eyes, twinkling like the stars in the sky. She looked stunning and vulnerable, strong, yet lost and trying to find her way. She wasn’t alone. We were all a work in progress.
“Your kindness is immeasurable,” she whispered.
“That’s only because I care so much about you,” I said. It was the honest truth.
She hastily wiped the tears from her eyes and looked down.
“You don’t need to feel pressured by anything,” I assured her. “Just take your time and see where the tide takes you. You can see how things pan out and what relationships you want to explore and with which Mutants. Those are all your decisions to make.”
“Well,” she said with a shimmering smile. “You definitely eased my mind by telling me that relationships are allowed.”
“They are. Headmaster Atticus is flexible. He can be a hard-ass when he wants to be, but he also allows us to grow into our own. He saves the reprimands for when they are seriously warranted.”
Tara sighed and stood up. She plopped down next to me and wrapped her arms around my waist.
“Thank you for the encouragement.”
“Anytime.”
I planted a soft kiss on the top of her head and relished how feminine her hair smelled. The scent made the manhood in my pants pulse with budding desire. If she wanted to experiment with me, I would have trouble denying that request.
I physically felt Tara relax and melt into my embrace. I would treasure this alone time with her and would hope for more to come in the future. But at the same time, I would let her blossom on her own.
If she wanted me, great. If not, I would have to find a way to live with it. Either way, her happiness was at the top of my list and I wanted to do everything in my power to make sure she felt comforted and nurtured. She had a big heart and deserved to see the beauty in life flipped in her direction for a change.
28
Tara
The morning after having my conversation with Jude about whether or not relationships were allowed at the school, I felt slightly more confident about the course that our relationship was taking. At the same time, I felt like I didn’t really know what I wanted to do about it.
My goal was to continue to thrive at this school, and I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize my status as a student. I had to make sure I didn’t compromise my own future by doing something foolish, but Jude had assured me that relationships were allowed. All the same, I still felt as if I needed to know more about what was frowned upon and what was allowed.
The problem in my head was the fact that I had an attraction to all five of the guys who had rescued me from the woods. I was just now getting the chance to make a mark in the world and find myself, and I didn’t want to risk that. At the same time, although I felt like the Mutant Academy was now my safe haven, there were times I felt I still had to watch my back. Especially after what Nick and Liam had said at dinner.
They were under the impression that there were enemies in plain sight that walked among them and urged me to be careful who I opened up to. I already had trust issues, so it wasn’t a problem for me to continue to keep my guard up in most circumstances.
But when it came to the guys, well, I became a melting ball of putty. They were so kind to me. They were warm, welcoming, and had the most inviting smiles that intoxicated my soul and made me feel creamy on the inside.
I couldn’t resist their charm. They would do anything for me, and I knew that their kindness was genuine. I hadn’t been doted on in many years and I couldn’t help but admit that I was basking in the positive attention they were giving me.
It was nice to feel cared for after what had seemed like a million grueling years spent as a captive in the Home Base camps.
Every time I was around the guys, feelings of contentment surged through me. My stomach would get all tingly and my heart would flip. I craved the blanket of security that each of them provided.
I felt like we each had a unique, special bond. I felt a super charged connection to Jude and Pete for some reason, but maybe it was because I had spent the most time with them so far.
I wanted to get to know Liam, Nick, and Gabriel better. Hence my anxiety. Sure, it was one thing to have a relationship with another Mutant, but five?
It seemed outlandish, ridiculous even. But here I was, rocking that metaphorical boat and pushing myself outside the boundaries. I had always had an adventurous spirit, but was it even possible to have a relationship with five other people?
What would Headmaster Atticus have to say about that? Surely, he wouldn’t approve, but I had no way of knowing because apparently, I was the first Mutant at the school to be in this type of predicament.
I took a deep breath and adjusted my backpack as I walked down the hallway toward the computer lab. I had a project to do on Mutants from the past and how they were able to hack into the scientists’ computers and gain information on the Fundamental Society’s research.
I was excited for the challenge, but I was still trying to adapt to the school lifestyle and having to discipline myself to get all my tasks done. It wasn’t difficult to apply myself, but I wasn’t used to it.
Sitting around waiting to be inspected while talking to Maddie was pretty much the only thing I had ever known, other than the scattering of cloudy, fading memories of my early childhood with my family.
I hated the fact that the scientists had robbed me of a family, but I tried to remind myself that my family was here now, at the Mutant Academy campus, and that my life could have taken a far bleaker turn than it had.
I actually had potential and opportunities now, and I never wanted to take any of my current blessings for granted. That being said, finding Maddie was still my number one priority, but we had to figure out a safer approach to going back into the woods to search for her. It also didn’t help when every time I looked at Megan, I was reminded of my best friend.
Given the fact that Megan and I had been randomly placed together was a sign in my mind that we were meant to find her together. We just had to practice patience. We had to be smart and prepared.
I walked down the hallway and past the weight room, but then I trailed back a few steps. I did a double take, noticing Liam through the glass door. He was reclined on a bench, lifting circular weights that were attached to a long bar.
I knew that to be called ‘bench pressing,’ because he had told me once before that as Brutes in training, he and Nick had to do extensive work in the weight room.
His muscles bulged and tensed with each fluid motion.
Up and down, up and down.
He used fantastic precision and made the work look effortless.
His face turned red and he grimaced, grunting with each upward thrust. I glanced around. The weight room appeared to be empty aside from him. Now could be my chance to get some one-on-one time with him.
I pushed the door open and slowly approached him from the side so that he would see me. I didn’t want to walk up from behind and startle him into dropping the heavy weights on himself.
“Hello.” I cast him a shy wave as he met my gaze and noticed me wandering closer to him.
He lifted the weights and placed them back on the overhead rack on top of the bench.
“Hey.” He grinned from ear-to-ear as soon as he saw me.
He sat up, panting hard. Beads of sweat prickled on his forehead and temples. His silver hair was a little matted on the sides, damp with sweat. He wasn’t wearing a shirt and his spectacular, rock-solid body took my breath away and made my heart skip a beat.
“I was just walking by and happened to notice you in here,” I said. “I decided to pop in and say hi.”
His eyes sparkled with fondness. “I’m so glad you decided to do that.”
“Thanks.” I bit my bottom lip and swayed slightly, staring at him as if he were a god or some kind of smooth-talking angel sent to drive me wild with desire.
“I like your moves.” I poi
nted to the weights on the bar. “You have some great talent for lifting.”
He grinned and his eyes shimmered with charm. “Do you want to try?”
“Oh.” I shook my head and chuckled. “No. I think they would be too…heavy.” I was embarrassed to admit that, but I didn’t want to make a fool of myself.
“I can take some of them off.”
I shrugged. “Okay. Well…maybe, I guess.”
Liam chuckled with delight. “It’s not that bad, really. I know you can do it. I’ll take off most of the weight.”
“Sure.” I set my backpack down in the floor beside the bench.
Liam pointed to the bench. “Just lie down there.”
I took a deep breath and tried not to look nervous. “Got it.”
“You are going to do just fine.” Liam’s eyes flickered with warmth and kindness.
As promised, he took off a substantial amount of the hefty weight so that I would be able to bear it.
“Now,” he explained. “Put your hands up to the bar and grip it on either side.”
“Okay.” I nodded, determination steering me full steam ahead.
He took his own hands and brushed them up against mine, making me sizzle inside. My heart raced.
“Go ahead and try to lift the bar slowly and then slowly bring it down to your chest. If something happens, I’ll be right here to catch it for you.”
I did as Liam instructed. His arm brushed up against mine and I tingled from the inside out. I pushed the weight bar up and down with more ease than I had expected.
“You are amazing at this.” There was a twinkle of pride in Liam’s eyes.
A few seconds later I hoisted the bar back up into its rack. I sat up, breathing heavily.
Liam raised his hand to give me a high-five, his palm smacking against mine. Every touch of his skin on mine sent me on a rocket ride of pleasure.
I blushed and nibbled on my bottom lip again, a nervous habit of mine that was tough to break.
“Thank you. I’ve never bench pressed before.”
“You could have fooled me.”
His gaze was exceptionally tantalizing and his eyes flickered with flirtatiousness. I had feelings for all of the guys and it both scared me and thrilled me all at once. Liam was still staring at me almost expectantly.
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