Chapter 63 Celebrate how?
Ira's POV
I fold the soft fabric of my dress, carefully smoothing out every crease as if creating order on the outside will quiet the chaos on my inside.
The dimly lit room glows faintly as my mind keeps slipping back to that moment in the commander’s office.
I recall his mouth on mine, the urgency in each suck, his fingers curling possessively around the back of my neck.
The memory sends a shiver down my spine even now.
Without thinking, I lift my hand, pressing the tips of my fingers to the same spot on my nape, trying to recreate the pressure, the heat of his grip.
But my touch is light. It’s nothing like the way his hand had felt. I close my eyes and exhale slowly.
“It’s just not the same,”
The door flies open without a knock.
The cloth I'm folding drops from my hand as I jump away, my heart slamming against my ribs.
Sia stands in the doorway, her eyes bright with something I've never seen in them before, her cheeks flushed pink.
“What's going on? Who's chasing you?” I ask, striding towards her as she suddenly starts pushing the door against someone who's behind it.
Sia makes a defeated sound as a second figure barrels through, shoulder first.
I roll my eyes when Catherine stumbles in, breathing hard, her dark curls wild from running.
“Are you both serious right now?” I say, placing my hands on my waist.
With one hand braced on the doorframe, Catherine points an accusing finger at Sia. “You were trying to keep me out!” she gasps, still catching her breath. “I knew it. You slammed that door like you don't want me in this friendship circle anymore.”
Sia mutters something under her breath, crossing her arms. “I wasn’t… why are you pouting? Stop it, you look pitiful.”
Catherine straightens, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. “Don’t lie. You were blushing like a ripe berry while sprinting down the hall to Ira’s room. That only means one thing.” She pauses dramatically, eyes sparkling. “There’s gossip. And I want in.”
Sia’s blush deepens, creeping down her neck. My brows lift in interest at that. She shoots Cath a half-hearted glare but Cath still leans in, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “So… did you finally fuck Ben?”
“Cath!” Sia yelps, swatting her arm hard enough to make Catherine laugh and stagger back a step.
“Did you?” I ask, now equally curious.
“No! Gods, no.” Sia facepalms.
Cath rubs her arm, still grinning. “Fine, fine. Then what happened? Don’t leave me hanging.”
Sia glances at me, biting her lip. Her fingers twist together in front of her. It's obvious that she's nervous but excited.
Then, softly, almost shyly she says, “We… kissed. Last night.”
No one says anything at first. And I feel my own lips curve into a smile before I can stop it.
It’s not just the knowledge of her finally kissing her crush that makes me happy. It's…Sia, she looks radiant. Her eyes look softer, in fact, it looks like her whole face is lit from within.
I’ve never seen her this happy.
Cath hops on her feet, her mouth open in a silent scream, pure delighted glee in her wide eyes.
“Oh my gods,” she squeals. “Tell us everything. Now.”
Sia exhales, half-giggling, and sinks onto the edge of my bed. Catherine flops down beside her, crossing her legs as she leans forward like a child waiting for a treat.
I set the small pile of folded dresses aside and sit opposite them on the floor, pulling my knees up.
“It was after his night patrol,” Sia starts shyly.
“You joined a patrol?” I ask, surprised.
“I was assigned to assist Ben by Cortis. We only talked under the moon. Oh girls, his voice was so soft and smooth.”
Catherine smirks, “Classic prince charming.”
Sia rolls her eyes but smiles. “Yeah. We started back toward the base after midnight. He kept little space between us and I noticed that while we walked, his hand kept brushing mine.”
“Ah, he wanted you so bad.” Catherine claps and I laugh as Sia lightly slaps her across the head.
“Then he asked me if I was cold. I wasn’t, but I said I was, just to see what he’d do.”
I raise a brow, taking note. “Did he give you his jacket?” I ask.
“He didn't have one.” Sia says, still smiling.
“Then why'd he ask?” Cath asks, bouncing her leg impatiently.
Sia sways slightly then whispers skeptically, “Well he wrapped an arm around me.”
“Bet you became warm after that.” I chuckle.
“Girl, he just wanted to hug you so bad.” Cath cheers.
Sia's cheeks burn pink again.
“So how did the kiss happen?” Cath presses.
“I was tired of waiting for him to make a move. He’s always so careful.”
Catherine and I nod knowingly.
“And quiet,” I add.
“Exactly.” Sia nods, “So when he wrapped his arm around me I became scared thinking that's the most he'll ever do. And I guess… I don’t know... The path narrowed, and we were so close, and I didn't want to waste the opportunity so,”
“So?” Cath smiles at her.
She pauses, swallowing. “I just… did it. I stopped walking, went up on my toes, and kissed him.”
Cath lets out a soft, dramatic gasp. “You kissed him first?”
Sia nods, looking a little proud and a bit embarrassed too. “It was very quick. Our lips barely touched even. But his mouth was warm.”
“What was his reaction?” I mutter.
“For a second he froze. I think he couldn’t believe I actually kissed him.”
I lean forward, nodding. “Then what happened?”
Sia’s voice drops even lower. “I panicked. Thought I’d misread everything. So I pulled back and started to step away. But before I could leave, his hand shot out and caught my wrist. A..and He tugged me back and pressed me against a tree.”
“Oh goddess!” Cath exclaims, her eyes practically hearts. “And then you fucked.”
“Cath, I already said we didn't.” Sia glares.
“Okay, okay. Chill, I'm just joking.” Catherine fans herself dramatically. “Damn, I need a warrior.”
I can’t help smiling wider. “How did it feel, Sia? In that moment?”
She glances at me, her eyes shining. “Like the world narrowed to just his mouth and his hands and the way he breathed my name against my lips between kisses. My knees went weak. Like actually weak. I had to cling to his shoulders to stay upright.”
“And now?” I ask quietly. “How do you feel now, thinking about it?”
Sia bites her lip, but the smile breaks through anyway. “I want more. Badly. I want those lips again. I want to feel his hands. I want to hear that sound he made when I tugged his hair.”
“Tugged his hair,” I calmly echo her words.
“He got wilder when I did that.” She says and I nod, taking note.
Catherine lets out a dreamy sigh. “That’s the hottest first-kiss story I’ve ever heard. We have to celebrate.”
I glance around the bland room. “Celebrate how?”
Catherine’s grin turns mischievous. “Oh you'll see.”