Chapter 4 Uncontrollable heat: A narrow escape.

His lips hovered over mine, our loud breathing filled the room.

As his lips drew closer to mine, the intercom in the room suddenly buzzed. He moved to it and picked it up. “Yes, Dad?”

He explained.

“Yes, Dad,"

I placed the intercom back in its place and turned to face me. “You should go; this will take a while," he spoke and immediately exited the room.

I couldn't sleep a wink last night; I tossed and turned thinking about Salvatore's lips on my skin. My heart raced. What did the kiss mean?

That morning I dressed up in my uniform and walked to school as always. Mia and her minions stood in front of their locker chatting happily; they were so lost in the conversation that they didn't notice me.

I looked around the school in anticipation to see Salvatore. Would he say anything to me, or would he act like he always has?

And the kiss—it made my heart race.

Unfortunately, he missed the first period. I waited for him patiently, but he missed the second as well. Had he gone back to missing classes?

As I walked past the halls, the student talked about his absence; he barely attended classes, but he would never miss school.

A strange thought crossed my mind: was he avoiding me?

Did he regret the kiss?

As I arrived home, my gaze was fixed on his bedroom door. Did he go somewhere else instead of school?

“Oh good, Lyra," my mother said from the kitchen. I looked in her direction, and she gestured at me to come.

I quickly rushed to her; her blond hair was rolled up in a high bun, and her maid uniform was stained with flour. The kitchen smelled of cupcakes.

I gasped, “You are baking?”

She nodded. “Mr. Sinclair has guests coming over later.”

I swung my backpack off my shoulder and moved to her. “I'll help.”

“No, no, no," she shook her head and handed me a tray of cold wet towels.

“Mr. Salvatore is sick with a cold; he has taken his medication this morning, but his temperature is off the roof. Place this on his forehead and stay there in case he needs anything.”

I blinked. Salvatore is…sick?

That's why he didn't come to school, he smiled, and he didn't hate me.

My mother shot me a confused gaze. “The man is sick, and you are smiling?” She scolded.

“Oh…” I quickly grabbed the tray from her. “Sorry, Mother.” I turned around and ran upstairs to his bedroom. Without knocking, I pulled the door open and walked in; he was lying shirtless on his bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. As I walked in, his gaze moved to me.

The curtains in the bedroom were pulled aside, and the afternoon sunlight peered in, casting a bright light across the bedroom.

I shut the door behind me and walked to him. “I heard you were sick.” I drew closer to him.

“Hey," he rasped as I sat beside him; his face had droplets of sweat, and so did his body.

I quickly grabbed a towel and placed it on his forehead.

“You don't have to do this," he swallowed.

I chuckled, “I'm a maid, Mr. Salvatore; it's my job.”

“You don't have to call me Mr.”

Our gazes lingered; I cleared my throat and reached for another towel, but his hand suddenly grabbed mine.

My head turned to look at him. “Do you want anything?”

He slowly let go of my hand. “A glass of water, please.”

I nodded and stood up from the bed. As I headed to the door, his voice halted me. “Wait,"

I turned to face him and watched him slide out of bed. “You should be resting.”

“I know.” He strode towards me. “But I didn't get the chance to do this yesterday.” He cupped my face in his hands and pressed his lips against mine.

My heart raced and my eyes widened.

Salvatore is kissing me? On the lips?

The kiss grew passionate as he sucked on my lips desperately. He gently pinned me against the door and looked into my eyes.

His hand strolled down my body until it reached my skirt, and he lifted it up. My breath hitched, and my fingers pressed against the door behind me as his hand ran up my thigh.

He pressed his lips against mine again; this time his hands were pinned tightly against my hips, and his lips drew to my neck and kissed it.

His hand reached for my button and undid one of them and the other before he stopped. “I'm sorry," he swallowed, his voice low and husky.

My brow raised, “What? For what?”

His hand touched my face again; his temperature had worsened. “I shouldn't have kissed you without asking first, and I couldn't help it…..”

“I liked it," I cut in.

He smiled and leaned in to kiss me again; his hand on my hips, he led me to the bed. As if I weighed nothing, he lifted me up in his arms and wrapped my legs around his hips.

“You are burning up," I said softly as my hand pressed against his chest.

He sat on the bed, gripping me tightly into him. “I know…but I want you," his lips pressed against mine, and he slid off my jacket. His hands reached for my buttons again and slowly began to undo it.

I reached for my hand to stop him. “We can't…”

He breathed, “Why not?”

I swallowed, but no words came out.

His brows pinched together and his head tilted to the side, “You…are you a virgin?” I bowed my head in embarrassment. Who would date the daughter of a mere maid, let alone want to touch her?

“No, it's okay.” He grabbed my hips. “Are you really?”

I gave a slow nod.

“I like that.” A smile curled at my lips as he buttoned up my shirt. “I'll wait until you are ready," he rubbed his finger against my nose.

As long as his words gave me relief, I had to ask, “Why? You can be with any girl you want; why do you want me?”

“You are not like them, Lyra; you are different…down-to-earth. That's why I like you.”

My gaze snapped up. “You like me?”

“For a while now," he responded.

My lips parted with shock.

As I tried to speak, the loud clicking of a woman's heels filled the place, my brow raised, nobody in this house wore shoes like that, “Salvatore? Is this his bedroom?” I heard Mia's voice.

My heart spiked, if she saw us like this I might get in trouble.

My blood flushed as the doorknob twisted.