Chemistry

The footsteps grew heavier. Each step made the tiny stick in my hand feel useless, but I held it with both hands anyway and raised it above my head. I wasn’t about to take any chances.

The moment the footsteps reached me, I closed my eyes tight and swung the stick down with everything in me.

But it never landed.

It stopped in midair.

I struggled, pushing down with all my strength, but something held it firmly. My left eye opened first, just enough to peek.

And then I heard it—laughter.

Veylor Caith.

With that stupid camera hanging around his neck.

I opened my second eye and tried to compose myself, even though the stick was still suspended in his grip. He held it effortlessly, his laughter growing as he pointed at my face.

“I wish you saw your face earlier. Scaredy cat.”

“Don’t call me that,” I fumed, trying to yank the stick free. It snapped in two. His laughter doubled.

“Easy, tigress. You don’t need that.”

I let the broken stick fall, dusted my hands, and turned to walk away. But before I could take a full step, his hand wrapped around my wrist. He pulled me back sharply, and I stumbled into his chest.

A soft wind blew across us. Strands of my hair brushed against his cheek. His eyes locked with mine, steady and warm, making something inside me tremble.

He brushed the strands from his face and tucked them behind my ear.

“I’ve been waiting,” he said quietly.

“Waiting?” My voice came out softer than I intended.

“I waited on this path every morning for the past month. Just to see you again.”

My chest tightened. “Why?” I whispered.

The moment felt too close, too warm. I pulled my wrist from his grip and stepped back defensively.

“Why have you been waiting for me?” My tone rose without warning.

He lifted his hands lightly. “I just wanted to know how you’ve been. And your father… how is he?”

I stared at him for a beat before answering. “You shouldn’t concern yourself with what doesn’t concern you.”

“Oh, come on,” he said, stepping closer with a small smile. “I’m only trying to be a friend here.”

“A friend?” I repeated, standing my ground, so close our breaths mingled.

“Yes,” he said, smiling again. “A friend… and something more.”

“Something more?” I asked.

“Something really special.” His voice softened. “Kaelith, I like you. Look, I know I’m a total stranger and you’re trying to be careful, but you can’t deny we’ve got chemistry.”

I tried to pull back again, but he caught my waist and held me tighter.

“We have no chemistry,” I said firmly. “And I don’t like you.”

He shook his head slowly. “You can deny it all you want, but it’s written all over you. I see the way you tremble when I touch you. The way you look at me when I’m close. How you kissed me the other day.”

His eyes dropped to my lips. “And I could tell… that was your first kiss.”

My gaze dropped. My breath trembled as I tried to deny everything he said.

“Tha… that’s not true,” I stuttered.

He lifted my chin gently, forcing my eyes to meet his again.

“Say it like you mean it, Kay. Look into my eyes and tell me I’m lying.”

I tried. I truly did. But instead of words, my eyes closed. They spoke for me in the silence I couldn’t fill.

His lips touched mine.

Soft at first. Curious. Then deeper—warm and demanding, like he had been waiting for this moment since the day he arrived in Ashwood. He didn’t pause to check if I wanted it. He already knew I did.

My hands gripped the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. His arm circled my waist sharply, holding me as if afraid I would disappear. The world around us blurred. My knees weakened. His breath mingled with mine, hot and uneven.

His thumb brushed the corner of my mouth as he deepened the kiss, slow and deliberate, memorizing every inch of me. I felt myself melt into him—into the warmth, the pull, the feeling of being wanted so intensely it almost hurt.

The kiss grew heavier. His lips pressed against mine with a tenderness that felt dangerous, like they could steal something from me I could never get back. I let out a tiny breath against his mouth, and he tightened his arms, responding as if he could hear every unspoken thought inside me.

When I finally pulled away, I was breathless.

“No!” I almost screamed. “This can’t be happening. I can’t—”

Veylor frowned, confused and breathless himself. “Why?”

I turned my back to him, trying to steady my breathing. Then I faced him again.

“You’re asking why like you don’t know?”

He stepped toward me, but I backed away instinctively.

“Don’t come closer,” I warned.

“Then tell me,” he said softly. “Tell me why you’re shutting me out, even when it’s obvious you want me as much as I want you. Why, Kaelith?”

I swallowed hard. Then the words burst out.

“I can’t be with a man every girl in Ashwood wants—including my three sisters!”

He blinked, then let out a short, almost disbelieving laugh.

“Is that supposed to be a valid reason? Because I don’t get it. Every girl in Ashwood wants me. Your sisters want me. But I’m choosing you. I want you. I don’t care what anyone else wants.”

“That’s not all, Veylor.” My voice cracked. “I’ve never been in any relationship. Not even one. I’m twenty‑four and I’m scared. And Papa is sick. He’s getting worse even if he tries to deny it. I have family issues… my life is a mess. I’m not in a place to start anything with anyone right now. I need to fix everything around me first.”

He stepped closer again, slower this time, and held my hands gently.

“I understand,” he said quietly. “As much as I don’t want to admit it, your reasons are valid. But I can help, Kay. If you let me.”

I stared at him intently, suspicious.

“I know about your father’s episodes,” he continued. “And the ones before that… and the ones before that.”

My eyes narrowed.

He raised a hand. “Not what you’re thinking. Small town, remember? Nothing stays hidden in Ashwood.”

My gaze dropped.

“I can help him, Kay. With me, he can get proper medical care. The best. And you… I know you don’t want to stay here forever. I can get you a modeling job in one of the biggest cities in America. You have the face, the body… you already look like a professional. I can help you. I can change everything.”

He brushed his thumb across my knuckles. “Just be my girl, Kaelith. Be mine. I’d give anything to be your first.”

I swallowed. “And how exactly will you pull all this off if you’re here in Ashwood? With me?”

For the first time, he froze.

He tried to speak—stuttered, hesitated—then let go of my hands. A moment later, he reached for them again, as if he regretted letting go.

“We’ll… we’ll work something out,” he said. “Just say yes first.”

I pulled my hands away completely.

“That’s what I thought.”

Then I turned and walked away.

He didn’t stop me.

He didn’t call my name.

He just watched me go.