The Conduit The Gryphon Series - By Stacey Rourke Page 0,78
to calm my queasy stomach with a few deep breaths as I trudged down the hospital corridor to Alec’s room. For a minute I actually wished for a surprise demon attack because it seemed easier than telling a boy I liked him. How twisted is that logic?
Way too quickly I reached his door. Room 1192. I desperately hoped it would not be known henceforth as the final resting place of my last shred of dignity. Realizing there was no way to brace myself for what was to come, I swallowed my trepidation and pushed open the door.
As soon as I saw him, peacefully snoring away, my apprehension eased. I took a step forward. My head cocked to the side to admire him. Against the stark white sheets his strawberry blonde hair looked almost auburn. His skin seemed paler than before, but not in a sickly way. It reminded me of the petals of a white rose—soft, silky, and inviting to the touch. Unable to curb the urge, I approached his bed and softly brushed the back of my hand against his cheek. He responded with a low moan. His head turned in my direction as his eyes fluttered open. Under the fluorescent lights in the room they looked darker. A deep sapphire blue.
“Celeste?” Once his sleepy gaze focused, he grinned up at me.
I returned his smile, thrilled to see him awake and alive. “Hey. How ya feeling?”
He extended his hand and I took it without hesitation. His skin was so warm, I wondered if he had a fever. “Better. My head’s still a little fuzzy. But I’m getting stronger every day.”
“Great. That’s really just…great.” My cheeks ached from the broad grin I was sporting.
Quicker than I could really comprehend his grogginess vanished. He peered up at me with a focused intensity that made the butterflies in my stomach Riverdance. “I’m really glad you stopped by. I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
“Really?” I tried my best to sound nonchalant, but the rapid successions of my heartbeat left me breathless. I hoped I sounded Marilyn Monroe-esque and not like he should hit the call button and get me medical attention. “I had something I wanted to talk to you about, too.”
“Mind if I go first?” he asked with a lazy smirk.
“Shoot.”
He released my hand to use the push the button to raise the head of his bed. Once he was re-adjusted, he leaned in and beckoned me closer with the curl of his index finger. My heart pounded in my chest as I happily obliged. The warmth of his breath on my face caused a heat to rise within me. I wanted more than anything to eliminate those last few inches between us and taste his sweet lips, but I restrained myself. Instead I focused on the sensual curve of his mouth as it parted to begin what I hoped would be the proclamation of his feelings for me.
“Celeste?” My name came out a throaty moan. Chills danced across my skin.
“Yes?”
“Who was the man that turned into the dragon?”
I snapped back as if he’d slapped me. “What?”
My shocked reaction seemed to amuse him. “Now, now. Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
My mouth fell open. As someone that knows firsthand what a punch to the gut feels like, I can say that this took my breath away in the same fashion. Words failed me. I opened and closed my mouth hoping some brilliant explanation would tumble out, but all I could muster was, “I…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Alec lowered his chin. Condescension dripped from his expression. “Really? That’s how you’re going to play this? You’re gonna feign ignorance? How original.”
“I’m not feigning anything.” My voice lacked any conviction.
He casually raked a hand through his hair, causing the locks to stick up off his head in messy spikes. My brows drew in. I thought it was the lighting, but now I wasn’t so sure. Had his hair actually changed color?
“I guess I must have imagined the red-haired guy that shifted into a dragon and meat-hooked my face with his talon. While you just stood there and watched. Not lifting a finger to help me.”
“Maybe it was a dream,” I muttered, grasping for anything to get me out of this.
He licked his lips and looked me up and down hungrily. “If it was a dream you would’ve been wearing a lot less clothing, and calling me Master.”
“Alec!” I snapped, appalled he would say such a thing.