Chapter 35

    Chapter 35: Are You Sure?

    Lyric had kissed me over a bet with Janice. She kissed me for a hundred bucks. Only!

    Was I so cheap? Could she not have betted over three hundred grand or something? A lake house?

    What am I even saying? I should be angry over being treated as property, but I couldn't get that kiss out of my mind.

    "It was just a kiss, Gavin, stop gawking at her," Iris chuckled next to me by the bar. Her eyes were droopy from drinking. I lost count of how many cans she had consumed.

    "I was not gawking," I lied, taking a sip of my beer. By this time, it tasted like water; even the foam wasn't enough to refresh me. Iris had drunk herself to stupor; I needed to stop drinking so I could take her home.

    Hence, I tossed my can of beer into a rubbish bin then returned to her. Iris was talking to a hockey player from out of town; they were flirting with each other. His eyes were only on her cleavage.

    How could he make it so obvious? I had to fight the urge to pull her away from him, but Iris needed this. She had been sad and moping over Aaron for way too long.

    Still, I couldn't leave her alone with this stranger, especially not a hockey player. Hockey players weren't the nicest off the ice; they were cheats and only looking for a one-night stand. Iris deserved forever.

    Every second, I would shoot a glance at the girl who kissed me in front of the whole school. I never knew Lyric had that in her.

    She kissed me for a bet.

    Why did it hurt me so much?

    That she kissed me because she had to, not because she wanted to.

    This was driving me insane. I was tempted to open another can, but Iris's laughter brought me back to reality. I needed to be there for her.

    ###

    LYRIC SPENCER POV

    I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. I had to prove Janice wrong, and I was willing to do whatever it took.

    I scanned the room, my eyes locking onto Gavin's tall figure. He sat on a stool next to the bar, alongside Iris and a strange hockey player I had never seen before. It took only a mere glance at his physique to know he was into hockey.

    There wasn't much here after hockey.

    I made my way over to him, my heart pounding in my chest. Wren tried to grab my arm, but I shook her off, determined to see this through.

    As I approached Gavin, he turned to me, a questioning look on his face.

    "Hey, Lyric, what's up?" he asked, his voice friendly and casual, which I found strange because I had my lips against his a while ago.

    I guess he must have understood it was a bet and wasn't sour over it.

    I took a deep breath, my mind racing with what to say. I couldn't just blurt out my request; I needed to be subtle, seductive.

    Raising my hand, I waved, plastering a friendly smile on my face. My fingers were visibly shaking, so I hid them behind my back. I cocked my head toward the entrance, gesturing we should talk.

    Luckily, he understood and nodded at me. I watched as his eyes scanned over Iris; he went over and whispered something in her ear which made her laugh, and the man next to her grew stiff.

    He returned to me, staring down at me from his towering height. For a second, I thought he would reject my request, but rather he followed me to a quiet room by the corridor.

    As we stood there, I could feel the tension between us, the air thick with unspoken words. I took another deep breath, my heart racing with anticipation.

    Pulling out my phone, I logged into my text-to-speech app and began writing. I hated communicating this way because it was time-consuming. However, with Gavin, I couldn't sign. I had to do it this way.

    "Gavin, I need to ask you something," the mechanical voice read my words aloud. Quickly, I reduced the volume to avoid being overheard.

    Gavin's eyes locked onto mine, his expression serious. "What is it, Lyric?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

    I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. This was it, the moment of truth.

    My fingers shook out of nervousness as I typed the next words. I could feel sweat drop down my back as the words loaded and were translated into speech. "I want to lose my virginity to you."

    Gavin's eyes widened, his face frozen in shock. I could feel my face burning with embarrassment, but I refused to back down.

    I had to prove Janice wrong, and I was willing to do whatever it took.

    Gavin's expression changed from shock to surprise, and then to a curious gaze. He looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time, like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve.

    "Lyric, I... I don't know what to say," he stammered, his voice low and hesitant.

    Determination surged in; I needed to convince Gavin to do this for me.

    "I know it's sudden, but I've thought about it a lot," the robotic voice continued, failing to express the emotions I could have. "I want to lose my virginity to someone I trust, someone I feel comfortable with. And that someone is you, Gavin."

    It wasn't exactly the truth, but I needed him to agree with me.

    "Is this for another bet?" he asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

    I became speechless. If he was fine with the other bet, he might be fine with this.

    Hence, I nodded frantically.

    For a moment, I think I saw disappointment on his face, but it couldn't be. He was Gavin Hawkins; he was used to girls throwing themselves at him. It wasn't my proudest moment, but I was tired of all their scrutiny.

    "Lyric, I..." he started to say, but then he stopped, his eyes darting around the room as if he was searching for an escape.

    I felt a pang of disappointment, but I refused to give up. I took a step closer to him, my heart pounding in my chest.

    <<Gavin, please,>> I begged, my hands moving around my chest in a circular motion.

    "On one condition."

    My heart skipped a beat. What was his condition? Was it something I could complete? I shook my shoulders, moving both hands in question.

    "You need to tutor me in mathematics. My other tutor won't be available, and you can't quit no matter what happens between us until I write the exam and pass."

    <<Yes,>> I nodded frantically.

    "I need your word on this, Lyric. You can't leave me no matter what happens."

    I nodded once more. This was only going to be a one-night stand and nothing more. I wasn't going to let my feelings for Gavin get in the way.

    If Janice could sleep with him, I could do the same.

    Staring down at me, he took a step closer, his words firm and stern. "I am a heartbreaker, Lyric. This is only going to happen once. I don't have any commitments with you after this happens. We are not dating, nor will we. Okay?"

    I nodded again, my heart racing louder in my chest. My palms were growing sweaty. I needed some fresh air.

    "Good," Gavin smiled at me; it felt like all the air in my lungs had vanished. Even my knees went weak.

    "Take off your glasses, Lyric," Gavin whispered, his breath tickling my ear.

    My heart raced as I hesitated, my fingers trembling on the frames. I gestured, <<Why?>>

    Gavin's smile was sly. "Because, babe, I want to corrupt that innocent mouth of yours. And I don't want anything getting in the way."

    When Gavin cornered me against the wall, I could no longer move my hands. I was in a trance. He slowly took off my glasses, a light chuckle escaping his lips.

    It started with a gentle, electrifying touch. Soft, warm lips brushed against mine, sending shivers down my spine. I had to curl my back to manage my emotions.

    The warmth and gentleness gave way to a passionate, all-consuming intensity. The kiss became a sensual, thrilling exploration of my mouth.

    When his fiery tongue let loose, I forgot how to breathe. Gavin's soft, experienced tongue roamed every area of my mouth. I had to hold onto his shirt in fear I would collapse. The sensation was exhilarating, leaving me breathless.

    My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest; butterflies by the hundreds floated in my belly. When his hands touched my skin, it was the kitchen encounter all over again.

    Gavin's fingers roamed down my leg, raising up my dress from its hem. His lusty eyes met mine, but his kiss didn't slow down. Rather, he kissed me unapologetically.

    Pulling away, I was left panting hard, sweat beads on my forehead. When I looked at him, there was a smile on his face. "Are you sure you want this?"