by Leah Ross
“You’re an asshole, Hannigan,” Guinn said, rolling his eyes.
“Careful, loverboy,” William replied, wagging his finger. “Don’t waste all your charm on me.”
“Are you going to help me or not?”
William crossed his arms over his chest. “After that reprehensible confession, I’m afraid you’ll have to beg me.”
“I am not begging you.”
“You are if you want my help.”
Guinn rolled his eyes. “Please help me, Will.”
“You really should be much better at this by now, mate. You’ve known me for how many years?”
“I am a lowly worm, and desperately need your assistance. Please, oh please, won’t you pretty please help me?” Despite how ridiculous he felt, Guinn smiled.
William grinned. “Once more, my friend, with feeling!”
“I am so going to get you for this,” Guinn growled. Then he shouted loud enough to rouse the entire wing, “William Hannigan is a sex god and master of romance, and I humbly beg him to deliver me, Guinn McCabe, from my pitiful lifetime of empty loneliness and despair!”
Groans and shouts issued from the top of the stairs, and Guinn’s face reddened with embarrassment. He hung his head and laughed as he accepted the wrath of his prematurely awakened classmates.
“Shut the hell up!”
“Get a room!”
“Let’s see how the ladies like how I rearrange your face, McCabe!”
William rolled on the floor holding his stomach, breathless from laughter. “Gods, that was priceless! Extolling my virtues, plus self-deprecation? Nice touch, McCabe.”
“Well, you’ve certainly taught me how to grovel like a pro. Now, how do I fix things with Laria?”
“All in good time, my little greenhorn. First, and most importantly, apologize.” William pointed to the door. “Now!”
~*~
Guinn entered the dining hall, still looking like hell. He didn’t care. He needed to apologize to Laria.
Shana saw him first. She glared at him and shook her head. He strode toward the girls’ table, determination in his gaze. Shana’s eyes widened and she shook her head more forcefully, drawing her finger across her throat, warning him that Laria was out for blood. He didn’t care. He shook his head back at her. I’m doing this now. If she wants to castrate me, so be it. Shana shrugged her shoulders. Your funeral…
Laria looked up and saw Guinn approaching the table. She glared at him and got up, meeting him in the aisle. She crossed her arms, staring him down. There were dark smudges under his eyes, and he was wearing the same clothes from last night. He hadn’t slept. She didn’t care.
“You don’t want to do this here,” she said.
“Where better for a public humiliation? It’s not the first time. I doubt it will be the last.”
She raised a haughty eyebrow at him. “What do you want, Guinn?”
“I want to apologize.”
“What if I don’t want to accept it?”
“Then I beg you to reconsider.”
“Fine.”
“I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t realize it would offend you so deeply. Please forgive me.”
“Not good enough.” She turned on her heel and began to walk out.
Guinn dropped to his knees on the floor. “Laria, please! I was a monumental idiot, the very definition of the word. Please give me a chance to make it up to you. I beg your forgiveness! Please!”
Snickers and whispers flew around the room. Laria stood where she’d stopped, her back to Guinn, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. Shana sat at the table, her hand over her mouth to conceal her grin. She’d never seen Guinn beg for anything. She caught Laria’s eye and winked at her friend.
Laria lifted her chin, shook her hair over her shoulders, and turned her head without looking at Guinn. “I’ll consider it. Good day, Mr. McCabe.”
~*~
Three days later, Guinn sat alone at a table in the library, reading the same sentence over and over without retention, hoping to finally catch Laria. She was avoiding him masterfully, making him work for his forgiveness. He’d picked a spot where he could see the entrance but was secluded enough for her not to see him. He didn’t even know if she would come to the library, but he was out of ideas. He’d hardly eaten, he’d barely slept; he knew he looked like a wreck, but his guilt was a parasite, gnawing at him relentlessly. He needed to make things right.
His heart leapt when he finally saw her. Ducking down behind his book, he watched surreptitiously as she glanced around to see if he was there and then entered the stacks. He snuck off after her. Following her discreetly, he waited until she chose a deserted aisle of dusty, seldom-used tomes, then blocked her escape.
She jumped when she turned around to leave and found Guinn filling the aisle, his arms crossed over his chest. “So you found me.”
“Took me three days to catch you. You’re good at avoidance maneuvers.”
“I’m busy, Guinn.”
“It can wait.”
She tapped her foot impatiently. “These books are heavy.”
He reached out and grabbed her stack of texts, setting them on the floor. “I figured it out.”
“What?”
“I know what I want.”
“What do you want, Guinn?”
I want to marry you! The thought invaded his mind unbidden, and the words nearly escaped his mouth, but he choked them back, stumbling over the words he’d actually meant to say. “I want… to get to know you better. I want to have a relationship with you. I want your forgiveness with the promise that I’ll try to never say anything so stupid again.”
She walked up to him and stared into his eyes. She smiled. “Yes.”
“To what?”
“To all of it.”
He grinned. “Thank you, Laria.”
“Don’t make me regret it, McCabe.”
He backed her up against the rows of books, one hand on either side of her. “You won’t.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her softly.
Chapter Six
End of First Semester
Guinn strode down the main staircase and headed for the library. Final exams were only a few weeks away. He knew Laria would be holed up, studying furiously. The cavernous library was filled with students, yet was silent as a tomb. He walked quickly and confidently to a little table by the windows and smiled when he spotted her familiar form bent over a book that was nearly as large as she was. Papers and books were strewn around her, leaving no room for anyone else to share her space. She was frowning at the text in front of her and chewing the end of her pen.
He sat in the chair next to her, leaned it back, and folded his arms behind his head. “Working hard?”
“As you should be,” she said.
“I’ve got plenty of time.”
She rolled her eyes at him and continued studying.
He leaned over to look at her book. “Oh that spell’s easy,” he said flippantly, “Just perform a simple wind charm first and the rest will take care of itself.”
She looked up at him with a scowl. “You may be satisfied with sloppy spells, Guinn, but I am not. Performing a wind charm in combination with the firestarter spell is not only reckless but dangerous. The fire could quickly get out of control and destroy everything. Your way is too flashy and unpredictable for something as simple as lighting a small fire.”
“Just trying to help,” he said.
“Not helpful.” She hunched over her book again.
“Let’s change the subject, then.” He leaned back in the chair once more. “What time should I pick you up for the nield ball this evening?”
She lowered her eyes and bit her lip. “I’m going with someone else.”
Guinn’s chair fell forward to the floor so suddenly that the crash echoed around the large room and drew glares from the nearby students. “What?”
“You didn’t ask me,” she whispered.
“I didn’t know I had t
o!” His voice sounded almost as loud as the noise of his chair.
“You never mentioned wanting to go.”
“Who is he?”
“None of your business,” she said dismissively.
“Blow him off,” he said, “Go with me.”
“No.”
“Why the hell not?” he demanded.
“Hey! Do you mind?” a student at another table complained.
Guinn glared. “Bugger off!” Then he turned back to Laria. “Why won’t you go with me?”
“Because I’m considerate enough to think of others and don’t selfishly expect them to cater to my whims.”
Guinn was speechless for a moment. He’d never had anyone so bluntly accuse him of selfishness. “Why him?”
She leveled her gaze right at him. “Because he asked.”
Guinn pounded the table with his fist, stood so quickly he knocked over his chair, and stormed from the library without a word. Laria calmly returned to her studying, pretending to ignore the whispering of the students around her. She wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of seeing her discomfort, even though her heart was pounding. She really did want to go to the ball with Guinn, but the fact remained that he hadn’t asked her to go and someone else had. She hoped he realized now that he couldn’t take her for granted.
Guinn angrily paced the length of the empty atrium outside the library like a caged animal. He was furious that some jerk had the nerve to ask Laria to the ball when everyone knew that Guinn was always with her. He was baffled why she agreed to go with someone else when she must have known that Guinn would take her. But most of all, he was livid with himself for making assumptions and not asking her himself. It’s true. I am selfish.
He jumped as a gentle hand touched his arm. Turning, he saw Laria’s gorgeous eyes, wide and filled with apology, gazing directly into his own. He felt the anger drain out of his body, and he hung his head with a sigh of resignation.
“I’m sorry that you’re upset, Guinn,” she said gently, “I truly didn’t intend to hurt your feelings. But you have to realize that charisma and desire won’t get you everything. You lost your chance this time; you’ll have to just accept it.”
“Mark my words,” he vowed with clear determination, “It will not happen again.”
~*~
The ballroom of the student union shimmered with bright decorations and thousands of tiny lights. The buzz of constant conversation and merriment echoed off the walls. Guinn leaned against a column in the foyer just outside the doors, watching for Laria’s arrival. Dressed in his finest, he hoped to at least get a dance with her.
Shana made her way through the crowd toward the ballroom, immediately noticing Guinn’s black scowl. Despite his unpleasant demeanor, her heart skipped a beat as she looked him over. He was undeniably handsome in his midnight black waistcoat and long trousers that emphasized his long, muscular legs. His boots were shined to perfection, and the gleaming black leather matched that of his belt. Forgoing the jacket that most of the other gentlemen wore, Guinn had chosen a billowy warm grey shirt that matched his eyes, and a cravat of the same color. Silver studs sparkled at his cuffs and down the front of his shirt. He looked every bit the roguish pirate, and Shana feared he was here to act the part as well.
“Guinn, what are you doing?” she hissed at him.
He broke his intense stare from the hectic corridor long enough to allow his eyes to roam Shana’s body. Smoothing the skirt of her shimmering emerald gown, she was pleased to catch a tiny glimmer of desire flickering in the stormy depths of his gaze. “Waiting for Laria,” he grunted.
“Why?” she pleaded. “She’ll be here with someone else.”
His eyes narrowed with rage. “I know. I swear I’ll throttle the asshole for daring such a stunt.”
“I would strongly advise against such violence,” she said with a sigh.
Guinn frowned confusion at her, and then noticed Laria coming down the hallway. She looked so beautiful; her dress was the palest blue, and tiny silver snowflakes sparkled on her skirt and in her hair. He stepped forward to ask once more for her to accompany him, but William crossed his path and cut him off. Guinn gaped in disbelief as Laria extended her delicately-gloved hand to his best friend.
Guinn spun William around to face him, eyes flashing with fury. “You?” Guinn blustered with incredulity. “You better have a godsdamn good reason for this treachery, Hannigan!”
William shrugged, utterly unfazed by Guinn’s anger. “I didn’t want Miss Brookes to miss her first nield ball because someone else was too daft to ask her. So I invited her.” He took Laria’s hand, kissed her fingers, and placed it in the crook of his arm. Then, leveling a final pointed look at Guinn, his eyes icy with challenge, he escorted Laria into the hall.
Guinn inhaled audibly, his nostrils flaring. He made to follow Laria and William, but Shana grasped his arm.
“Guinn, stop.” She cupped his cheek and turned his head forcibly to look at her. “Don’t be angry with William. He’s only being a good friend. It’s kindness, nothing more. I know you’re upset, but leave them be. I’ll go in with you.”
Still fuming, but no longer wanting to separate William’s head from his neck, Guinn nodded curtly, wrapped his arm around Shana’s waist, and escorted her to the ball.
~*~
Guinn sat alone at one of the small tables, pushing food around his plate, not hungry in the least. His eyes were trained on the dance floor, locked on Laria and William. Shana was off dancing with another friend, only able to stand Guinn’s black mood in short spurts.
Laria felt Guinn’s eyes on her. She stole a few quick glances at him, but respectfully kept her attention on William. She knew that Guinn was only at the ball to see her. He’d come in with Shana but remained by himself, waving off any friends brave enough to subject themselves to his foul mood. He’d been sitting at that table since he arrived, refusing to eat, mingle, or dance with anyone.
She didn’t know why he’d come just to torture himself, but she had to admit that he looked incredibly handsome in his perfectly tailored trousers and waistcoat trimmed with silver. William was gracious and attentive, he danced beautifully, and he looked positively delectable in his charcoal suit and sapphire shirt, which had earned her more than a few murderous glares from other girls, but she couldn’t help wishing she were with Guinn instead. The song ended and Laria decided she needed a break.
“Will, I could really use something to drink,” she said with a smile.
“My pleasure, of course,” William agreed with a courtly bow. He walked off to the refreshment table.
Laria went over to Guinn. “Do you just like torture or something?”
“I was hoping you’d take pity on me.”
“Well, you do look rather pathetic,” she said playfully.
He rolled his eyes. “Thanks.”
She smiled and extended her hand. “Dance with me.”
“What about Hannigan?”
“He can spare me for one dance.”
Guinn took her hand and led her back to the dance floor. As the music swelled, he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and swirled her gracefully around the room, their steps and bodies perfectly in tune with each other’s. The lights, the decorations, every person around them—all was a blur as they twirled and glided with the music. Laria kept her eyes locked on Guinn’s and clung to his body.
All too soon, the music faded and the couple slowly came to a stop. Laria continued to gaze into Guinn’s dark eyes and he kept his arms wrapped around her; both of them were breathless from dancing and their intimate closeness. Neither of them noticed the music start up again or anything going on around them.
“Thank you, Guinn,” she breathed, “You’re a wonderful dancer.”
“It was my pleasure, beautiful Laria,” he replied, his body so close to hers he could feel the pounding of her heart.
An obvious cough reminded them that they weren’t alone. “Laria, I apologize for taki
ng so long,” William raised an eyebrow at Guinn.
“She’ll be right with you,” Guinn told him curtly. He led Laria a few feet away. “Leave with me, Laria. Please.”
She shook her head emphatically. “I can’t just leave William.”
“You can’t deny what we felt together just now.”
“No, I can’t,” she agreed, “But I came with him, and with him I shall leave.”
“Curse your damn ethical moral compass,” he said with a smile and a sad shake of his head.
“I’m almost as stubborn as you,” she laughed. She stood on her toes and kissed Guinn’s cheek. “I’ll come see you later,” she whispered in his ear.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Then I’ll wait all night if I have to.”
~*~
He was standing on the deserted balcony off the atrium that overlooked the school grounds and offered a view of the sea. The breeze was light but cold as it blew in from the water and over the fresh blanket of snow on the ground. He leaned on the rail and inhaled deeply, the unmistakable scent of the ocean filling his lungs. He closed his eyes and listened to the familiar roar of the distant waves. He could almost feel the slow, soothing rock of a ship beneath his boots, and he sighed with longing.
Slender arms wrapped around his waist from behind and he felt the weight of her head rest against his back. “It’s hard to have to wait for what you want most,” she said softly.
He turned around and gathered her into his arms. “But I don’t have to wait anymore. You’re here.”
She looked up at him, a smile on her lips and in her eyes. “I’m not what you want most.”
“Not true,” he said emphatically.