Reckless Souls (Saints Academy, #1)(105)

breath, scooping the remaining pot roast onto my fork and popping it into my mouth with a sigh. My

internal dialogue with myself seems to have slipped from my lips.

“You need some down time, girl, this is all draining as hell,” Harmonia states, and I nod in

agreement.

“No shopping,” I quickly add, and she chuckles because she knows it’ll happen regardless if I

want it to or not. “Not yet at least.”

“That’s not down time for you, that’s down time for me,” she replies with a wink. “I’ve got you

covered, no stress.”

Before I can even ask what that means, it’s Xander’s turn to lean over the table, hand reaching for

mine which I accept instantly, and he smiles.

“I have something in mind. Are you free now?”





Chapter 31

Rhea

W ith my fingers laced with Xander’s again, I take the steps two at a time to keep up as we

leave the main building and head toward the woods. The same direction as when I saw

snow.

My curiosity is piqued as I feel a hint of excitement buzz beneath the surface of my skin. When he

asked me if I was free, I was expecting it to lead to something sexual, and I wasn’t opposed to it, but

out in the woods in the middle of the day isn’t exactly what I had in mind. Although, Khaos, Adonis,

and Zen as an audience leaves me intrigued.

Wait. Been there, done that. I internally smirk at the memory.

Glancing at the side of Xander’s face, I can’t help but sense a mixture of determination and

nervousness floating within him. I want to ask what it is, what has him tight-lipped and kinda on edge,

but I know he’s in his head right now and will tell me when he’s ready. Or I hope so at least.

Since our next class was a study hall session, I don’t feel bad for skipping out. There’s nothing for

me to be catching up on at the minute since the last class was canceled, so the extra break won’t leave

me worried later.

Khaos and Adonis talk quietly behind us as they stroll along, Zen to my other side as we step

through the trees toward the clearing by the lake. It’s not lost on me that this is the only place I’ve

been on campus that isn’t in the main building or Agion, and I make a silent agreement with myself to

venture out more. There are plenty of things on site for me to explore. Gods, even a trip to the library

again might be both fun and insightful.

I did promise Harmonia a trip to the on site little town they have, with coffee houses and clothes

shops among other things. She ducked out to go to the study hall without even considering or asking to

come with us, and I appreciate her respecting my time with the Elite.

This is all strange, between the guys and me. There’s something here, something worth chasing,

other than the pull and sexual tension that burns between us. I want to know more about them.

I want to know what makes Khaos tick, what could put a genuine smile on his stunning face. I

want to see Adonis behind his front, where he’s just him, without pretenses or any of the other

bullshit, I want to know that version of him.

My eyes want to feast on Zen as he does yoga and meditates across from me. I want him to show

me how he seems to be so calm and collected… most of the time. And Xander, I want to see more of

the soft and gentle side of him.

I just want it all, and it’s surprising how true that is, even to my own ears.

The mention of Dante earlier was a stark reminder of the difference between the two situations. I

wanted an occasional friend, a person who would sit across the table with me at a restaurant so I

wasn’t always alone, and his dick, but other than that, I didn’t really care who or what he was.

This is different. This feels different.

Frighteningly different, but it’s exciting too.

Coming to a stop in the middle of the lush green field, the sun blazing overhead and a gentle

breeze blowing around us, I take a deep breath as I relax in my surroundings. There’s something about

nature that just soothes me so no matter what Xander has planned, I’m appreciative for this moment.

Definitely not something sexual then.

I notice Khaos and Adonis have gone quiet when I turn on the spot to see everyone, and my eyes

settle on Xander who releases my hand and scrubs his fingers in his cropped brown hair.

“What are we doing out here?” I ask, a small smile playing at the corner of my mouth as I tighten

my ponytail. When Xander doesn’t answer immediately, I glance at the others, none of them seem to

want to share with me what the purpose of the field trip is, but it’s clear they know.

Focusing on each of them, I look to Adonis first, his heated and knowing gaze tracking mine as he

adjusts his circular glasses on his face. I really need to know why he wears them because they’re not

always perched there, and he seems to get around just fine without them, unless he lives in contacts?

That’s a question for another time.

I rub my lips together, moving my gaze to Zen. He stands with his hands in his Academy pants