Page 54 of Broken Beauty

“But I just turned in an essay last week.”

'”Which you didn't do very well on. You also don’t do much class participation.”

“I have been present in class though.”

“Yea but not participating.” He turns his laptop around and rests his arms on his desk. “I want you to do better Ariella, and I know you can. What happened?”

I think this through.

Liam probably wants me to do extra credit again. I'm not doing that but I want this grade. “Of course, sir. I-“

“Ariella.” That familiar voice that irritates me but makes me feel so relieved, calls my name making me turn my head to the doorway. Ash's eyes are filled with that same darkness and I look down at his hands which are in a fist. “Come on.”

I smile at Liam. “I'll bring up my grade. Thank you for letting me know,” I say before turning around and walking towards Ash. I feel Liam's eyes burn deep holes in my back. “Thank you.”

“Why do you look scared of him and why was he talking to you?” Ash says while wrapping a possessive arm around my waist as he walks me to where I sit.

The feeling of his arm feels so natural and familiar that I can’t help but lean into him and feel his warmth.

I have never told Ash about Mr. Locke and it was a good choice that I made because Ash would go ballistic on Liam.

I know it.

“It's nothing. I just had to talk to him about homework.”

“That didn't look like nothing based on your face. Tell me the truth Ariella,” Ash demands.

I didn't expect Ash to act so possessive or caring towards me and I definitely didn't expect Ash to sit right beside me.

Since the other night in my kitchen, Ash has been acting less like an asshole. The little pranks he was doing stopped and the teasing remarks that he would say to try and hurt my feelings stopped.

He still calls me a brat and we still argue but it's not as much since the night in my kitchen.

Something shifted between us that night and I just have a feeling that things are going to get worse from this point on.

Last summer's memories keep appearing in my head and I can't stop thinking about Ash and how he keeps consuming my every breath and thought. I want him out of my head.

“It's nothing, Ash. Don't worry about it.” I look away from him and open my laptop. Liam starts talking once almost everyone is here. He talks about a project that he wants us to start today with a partner and when he says that, I see his eyes travel to mine. Liam looks away at the same time a heavy arm rests on my shoulder. I look at Ash and see him glaring at Liam. “Stop.” I try to shove his arm off of me but he leans down and I feel his lips touch my ear.

“I can easily make you agree to anything I say with just one finger, Ariella. Don't make me show your fucking teacher who you belong to.”

“I don't belong to anyone.” I turn my face and look at Ash with determined eyes.

“Is that so?” Ash smirks and raises one eyebrow.

I glare at Ash and he just nods his head and looks at Liam.

Ash clears his throat which makes Liam look over at him. I turn my head to look at him so that I can ask what the hell he is doing but then I feel a pair of warm lips smash onto mine.

It's so unexpected that I freeze.

This is the first time we have kissed since last summer and I don't know whether to push him away and slap him or if I should pull him closer and enjoy this moment between us.

He tastes like the cinnamon gum that he always chews and he smells like the woodsy cologne he wears.

I kiss Ash back. It feels nice to kiss Ash again and I feel like I'm breathing so hard while kissing him because I need to somehow get more of his air.

I know what he is doing right now, he is showing Liam that he claimed me and that I am his. He doesn't care that the whole class might be watching and for the moment I don't care either because I just want to feel his lips against mine for the first time since last summer.