Chapter 8: Baby Steps

*Sienna*

I close the door and lock it, my heart still pounding like I am about to have a heart attack. I lean against the door and sit on the floor, touching my lips as they still tremble. How did I have the courage to walk away? I can't believe what happened, and I still don't understand it properly, but did he just say I am his? Our kiss, our kisses. I still feel every part of my body burning.

This is not normal, I know that much. But a mate? I could see the way he reacted and, jokes aside, he was also surprised. Does that mean I am his mate? But he already had a Luna, and he still has three wives! This is insane, I shouldn't have let him kiss me. I am not going to become another trophy in his collection.

I close my eyes and feel his fingers under my chin, his eyes burning me. I get up fast and head to the shower. I need to cool down.

After a long time, I feel alive again, but I need to be careful. I let myself fall for someone before and that led to only pain and suffering. I know he was a human, and Ro is so much more than that, but the emotional scars carve deep.

I lay down to sleep and try to keep my mind away from Ro. It doesn't work well, because all night I had dreams of him kissing me and taking me away.

In the morning I struggle to get up from the bed. I need another shower before heading to school because I woke up all sweaty. I sigh with frustration. Ro, you had to come and change my quiet life, didn't you?!

After I finally finish getting ready, I walk out of the apartment and find a flower bouquet at the entrance. I pick it up smiling, thinking it is another sign of Ro's romantic side, but then I read the small card in it and I drop the bouquet on the floor. My ex sent them to me, which means he knows where I live.

The last time we spoke to each other was when I moved from my old house to this apartment; he was obsessed with getting back together, and I told him I didn't want to see him again. He was manipulative and temperamental, jealous of his own shadow, and he was a compulsive liar. I have too many insecurities, and dealing with his own ones was too much.

The card reads "You will always be in my heart."

If he knows where I live, how long has he known? Has he been watching me all this time? I look at my phone and see that I am running late. I pick up the flowers and throw them to the garbage bin that is outside the building. I want to make it quickly to the school before it gets too late.

I am lucky to get there with some minutes to spare, and after marking my entry I walk to my classroom and see most of the students already there waiting. They were curiously looking at me; I perked a brow at them and sat on my desk. "What is going on?" I ask.

Ralph raises his hand and I nod at him. "So, Miss Sienna, how was your birthday?"

I hear some chuckles and I keep my straight face. "It was unusual. It has been a while since I got the chance to really celebrate it. Why?"

This time it is Chantal raising her hand and I nod at her. "Did you do anything? Did you go out?"

I heal giggles now together with the chuckles and I hold my laugh. Of course, they saw the spectacle of Ro when he picked me up. I stand up and look at them all. I take the opportunity to generate suspense as I walk slowly to them, and the classroom falls silent.

"I know some of you, if not all, saw me yesterday. The person who came is no more than a friend from my teenage years," I look at them as I tell them my half-truth. "We haven't seen each other in over ten years because he left the country when his father died."

That alone was enough for them to take the joke away and pay attention. "I was really surprised to see him yesterday, and I admit I almost cried. I thought I would never see him again. But he took me to lunch and we spent some good time talking. We might even get to see other old friends from back then when we used to hang out together."

I smile at them and turn around, getting back to my desk where I pick up my book. "So, if no one has any more questions, I would like to get the class started."

I love my students, and the way they care about me and how they look after me. I was happy to see they paid attention to what happened, and now they had the courage to ask me questions. They have always respected my privacy, so after I told me some truth about me and Ro, I know they won't ask me more.

I am happy that the class is over at the perfect timing. I was a bit of a control freak when it came to working.

Like yesterday, I bump into Diane. She locks her arm around mine and grins. We were never best friends, but we always had a good relationship. Now, she is acting like a gossip girl. "So who was the handsome man?"

I chuckle inwardly, I was already expecting this from her. "Roharu is an old friend; we had a group that used to hang out, but we haven't seen each other in ages."

She nods. "So, just friends, huh?"

I smile at her. "I haven't seen him in over ten years Di, can you at least let me enjoy the man who was my best friend? We have a lot to catch up on yet!"

She smiles and walks with me until we reach our clock where we mark our time out and then we both head towards the exit. My heart is pounding fast again, but unlike yesterday, I already know why.

Once we are outside, I look at the sides and see no big black cars, so he listened to my request. I walk down the steps next to Diane and that is when I spot a grey Bentley park at the footsteps. I smile and see it is only him driving it.

"No limo today?" Diane teases.

I chuckle and turn to her. "No, I told him we are more humble here."

She chuckles. "Yes, as humble as Bentleys can be!" And we both laugh together.

"Baby steps, Di, it is called baby steps," I grin and kiss her cheek. "I will see you tomorrow, ok?"

She smiles and nods. "I do hope so!"

I walk the final few steps until I get to the door and open it. I smile wide as I find his glowing eyes burning me. I feel feverish just by looking at him. "Hey there," I say and he smiles.

"Hi there," He replies as I sit in the car and he starts moving immediately; I barely have time to buckle the seatbelt.

"Whoa, calm down! What is the rush?" I ask as he speeds away from the school and then takes several turns, making me dizzy. He finally slows down and stops the car in what looks like an alley, then he unbuckles his seatbelt and turns to kiss me. I gasp and moan against his lips, his craving just as strong as mine. My skin fills with goosebumps and my body feels electrified.

After some seconds away, he releases his lips from mine so I can catch my breath and he stays just inches away. "I really wanted to do that."

I close my eyes as I smile. "I… I wanted you to do that too," I manage to say and feel proud of myself for letting those words out.

When I open my eyes, I see him with a soft smile, my sweet old Ro. "Let's go, or else I will take you right here and now."

I blush and laugh at the same time, pushing him teasingly as he adjusts back into his place and puts his seatbelt back on. Oh, what am I getting myself into!