She kissed him back just as impassioned. It lessened the fear he was still feeling in his gut that he was in this alone. But it didn’t completely eliminate it. She hadn’t agreed to anything yet. And there was still the galling fact that up until just a little while ago, when that asshole showed up, she was actually considering possibly getting back together with him. That could mean she still had feelings for him. It could also mean he was part of the reason for her hesitation.

“Felix,” she whispered breathlessly, making a weak attempt to push him away.

Felix couldn’t get enough of her mouth now. The more he tasted it, the more he wanted.

“Felix,” she whispered again. “This isn’t waiting.”

He kissed her one last time with a guilty smirk and pulled away to look at her, but her eyes were still closed as she attempted to calm her own breathing.

“Oops.” He grinned. “Got a little carried away there.”

“You’re gonna have to be patient with me.” She licked her lips, her eyes still tightly closed.

He kissed the lid of one of her eyes softly. “It’ll be tough,” he said, kissing the other lid next, “but I’m up for the challenge.” Her eyes flew open and her entire body tensed. “What?” he asked, searching her eyes.

The change in her mood was so erratic, as he’d seen her do before, but this time he didn’t like it. He’d obviously said something wrong. She moved away from the wall and him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, slipping his hand in hers because he was afraid she might actually walk away.

“Nothing,” she said, quickly shaking her head, but it was completely unconvincing.

How could she go from looking as if she were still savoring the taste of his mouth on her lips one second to this? She shook her head again but was doing something so unlike her—avoiding looking him in the eyes.

Felix touched her chin gently, turning it to him. “Look at me.” She did and he gazed deep into those troubled eyes. “Tell me. What is it?”

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment; then she looked up. Finally they were back on his but not before she exhaled. “One of the things Grayson said to me just now was . . .” She shook her head abruptly. “Never mind. I don’t know why I’m putting any weight on anything he says about you. He doesn’t know you.”

“About me?” Felix furrowed his brows, feeling that instant ignition inside him.

She was right. What did that fucker know about him? But he was curious now. What had he said to her that would ruin the moment like it had? And what set her off? Felix wanted to make sure that never happened again.

He peered at her curiously. “What did he say?”

There was no hiding the frustration in her eyes. She was upset with herself now for having brought it up in the first place, but Felix still wanted to know.

“Just tell me. I promise there’s not a single disparaging rumor that hasn’t already been said about me.” He smiled, making sure she kept her eyes on his. “I’m just curious.”

She fidgeted for a moment then shrugged. “My class is waiting, Felix. I’m so late now.” Felix lifted a stubborn brow, refusing to let her off the hook. He had to know now. “Okay,” she finally agreed. “He said he was certain I was nothing more than a challenge to you.”

He felt his eyes open as wide as hers had earlier. The bell to the start of one of his fights may as well have been going off like a clamoring alarm because that’s how bad he suddenly felt like taking a hard swing at someone. Then it hit him.

“That’s not what I meant,” he said quickly, “when I said I was up for the challenge. I just meant I’d do anything you ask but not for the reason that asshole wants you to think. Look. I’ll be honest with you. Up until just moments ago, when I asked you to give me a chance, I hadn’t even thought about what I’d do if you did. This will be challenge. But the challenge will be to prove to you that I want more than what you’re thinking. I’ve only ever even tried the relationship thing once before and . . .” He pressed his lips together for a moment, hating that he had to get into this right now, but he wanted to make sure she understood this. “Well, I guess everybody knows I blew that one. Trust me. I can understand why you’d be hesitant, but I will promise you this. That disastrous relationship I had with Bianca wasn’t all for nothing. I did learn a few things from it, and I promise you if you give us a chance I won’t be making the same mistakes again.”

She stared at him for a few agonizing long silent moments. “Us,” she whispered, her eyes displaying the tiniest bit of excitement.

He nodded, feeling exhilaration he never would’ve imagined feeling. But she lifted a brow quickly, her excitement turning into a warning look. “I need time, Felix.”

“You got it,” he said immediately but pulled her to him anyway.

He almost let it slip—the question on the tip of his tongue. What about Grayson? Would she still be considering him too? Then he thought better of it. It was definitely something he’d be addressing, but this was too soon. He’d give her time to let this sink in first before he started making what he knew would sound more like a demand than a simple question.

“So is this a secret?” he asked instead. “Or can I still do this?”

He pecked her softly again, only this time he traced her lips with tongue slowly, feeling her entire body shiver in response. He was about to devour her mouth like he had earlier, when she flattened her hand against his chest, exhaling slowly. “I doubt I’ll be able keep you from doing that.”