Page 49 of Tempting the President

“See you later or it’s not your hand I’ll kiss the next time.”

I quickly looked up at him and nodded firmly.See you later.

His lips twitched. “That’s my girl.”

And then he was walking away, like a beautiful elusive dream that I could only have at certain times – but never forever.

When I reached my class, most of the other girls were scowling at me while the guys were looking at me like I was a piece of curiosity. This time, I didn’t have to lie about feeling repulsed.Iwasdisgusted, the looks in their eyes telling me clearly what they thought.

Was the fact that I was sick – that I hadTrauma –was that what made me so attractive, soexotic,in Kellion Argyros’ eyes?

My fists clenched, but I managed not to look their way as I took my usual seat next to KC.

She nudged my foot with hers, making me glance at her.Sorry,she mouthed.

I took out my phone. While it was easier to write on my board, I used my phone when I didn’t want anyone reading what I had to say.

Me: I’m used to it.

And I was. There were just some psychos in the world that thought dating a sick person was hot. Once, I heard a guy say that it was because of the way we knew pain. It made our screams sound lovelier to their ears.

Remembering the way the guy looked when he said that made me breathe hard. Around me, the world blurred, and there was no Kellion Argyros to brighten my surroundings.

KC nudged me again with her foot. When I looked back at her, she lifted her notebook up, using it to cover her mouth as she said, “I know you’re not going to like me asking this but...” A grin flirted with her lips. “Are you really sure you don’t like him?”

I shrugged.

Her eyes widened. “Oh my God, you do!” The words came out in an awed whisper.

I typed furiously on my phone.I DO NOT.

KC only smiled. “Yes, you do, and...” She touched my hand gently. “Don’t you think it’s time?”

Because KC was one of the few persons who knew what I had gone through, the words made me inhale sharply.

Was it time?

If it was time for me to live, did it also mean it was time for me to forget Ashton?

I shook my head at KC and touched my heart. The way her smile faded, I knew she got what I meant. She got it because she was the opposite of me. If there was someone I didn’t want to forget, she had someone she didn’t want to remember.

KC gave me her phone and I saw she had typed something.Do you think he really likes you?

I bit my lip as I took my phone, my fingers directionless over the keypad. Finally, I typed my answer.He’s Kellion Argyros. I doubt it.

KC only nodded.

A tiny part of me was sad that she did. Both of us knew it was likely the truth. That the biker only thought of me as a novelty, a challenge, someone to play with. It was a sensible conclusion, but even so it made my chest squeeze.

Tightly.

Almost as tight as it did the first time I saw Ashton’s lip trembled while trying not to cry after being shouted at.

I looked away from KC, not wanting her to see how I suddenly had to fight off tears.I miss you, kiddo. I really, really, really miss you.

HE WAS THERE AGAINwhen classes ended.The biker.I preferred thinking of him that way because it made him less...real.

He was waiting for me outside the building, leaning against his bike. I knew from Bobby that the bikers liked to call their rides their ‘beasts’, and, well,hisbeast was beautiful. It had a black body, accentuated by silvery highlights. The metallic color threw me off a bit. Somehow, it felt too...elegantfor him. He struck me as the flamboyant type. Not in a shallow way, of course, but rather, in a way that told everyone to fuck off while he enjoyed life’s greatest thrills.