Gifted Curse (Curse Trilogy) by C.M. Owens Page A

casually drops his phone to the couch while bringing his eyes back to stare directly into my trembling ones.
    “You look incredible,” he gushes.
    You look fucking hot.
    “Thanks.  You look like I got here too early,” I mumble, my terrified eyes trying not to look at his slice-of-heaven body… again.
    He smirks as he pulls my hand in his and leads me over to the window.
    “That’s what I wanted you to see,” he murmurs while pointing to a large building not too far away.
    “What is it?” I muse.
    I swallow hard as the slight reflection offered by the enormous window shows Hale’s half naked body pressing against my back.  The aroma of his cologne mingles with his freshly showered smell and his scent - Hale’s delicious scent - making my eyes almost close so my fantasies can return.
    “It’s a school specifically for hybrids.  When I get done with it, it’ll have playgrounds and so much more.  We already hold dances for the older ones, but now the younger ones can just be kids.  I thought you might appreciate it.  I’m running it by the board to have them installed for all the compounds in the future.”
    In an instant, my lust turns to adoration.  Tears water up in my eyes, and I stare at the building with a whole new gaze as I think of how much better life could have been.
    “That’s amazing,” I choke out, and then I feel his lips pressing against the back of my hand.  “What are you doing?” I sigh out.
    “I’ve just wanted to share this moment with you for a really long time, and seeing your reaction made me lose my place.  I’m sorry.”
    I turn to stare into his perfect eyes, and then I feel him pulling me closer to his body.
    “I think the school is amazing,” and so is your body , “but I should probably go back to my room to wait on you to get ready.  This isn’t exactly appropriate behavior for two colleagues,” I breathe out with a rattling tone.
    “I’m not trying to be two colleagues.”
    Oh damn.
    His slightly damp chest finds its way under my hands as I slowly let them creep up, and then I forcefully push him away when the heat becomes unbearable.
    “Stop,” I assert, but I can’t stifle my stupid grin.
    “Fine,” he chuckles out.  “Stay though.  I won’t take long, and we can head down.”
    I hold back my grin until he leaves, and then I return to the window.  I see my reflection  more than I see the outside when he cuts the lights up brighter.  My long, dark hair is curled loosely, and it dangles around my shoulders.
    The tinted sky is almost too dim to even see a glow now.  My sparkly jewels dangle from my ears with more light than the outside, and my eyes glisten with a bit too much anxiety - my hybrid blue eyes circled by the purple rim.
    I walk over to pull out a bottle of whiskey, and I pour a generous glassful.  The soft music begins playing, and my eyes begin rolling immediately.  He walks back out with a wolfish grin, and my jaw tries not to hit the floor when I see how ridiculously hot he looks.
    His suit is tailored to fit his body with custom finesse, and his light eyes match the brilliant tie.  His darker blue shirt is crisp with buttons that would be so easy to rip free.  He stalks toward me with his brilliant, full-flashing grin, and I roll my eyes while releasing my lower lip from the hold my teeth had on it.
    “I take it you like the way I look,” he teases, and I just turn my glass up to hide my smile.
    “You’re still cocky I see,” I say jokingly.
    “Very,” he snickers out, and then his hand takes mine to lead me toward the door.
    “I need to set my cup down,” I murmur in an effort to make an excuse to drop his hand, and then my eyes catch sight of a picture hanging in the bedroom, drawing me toward it.
    The door he had shut behind him has slowly slid back open, and I make my way to his room without permission.
    “Araya?  You okay?” he calls from the hallway.
    I ignore him as I continue on my prying mission, and I