Aurelia

His steps are unhurried, as he walks to the other end of the line, holding his mask loosely by his side. He walks in front of us, surveying each of the girls with patience, leisurely, like he’s in no rush. It’s the vibe he gives off, but his gaze is careful, hard. He bypasses us one by one, but the moment he reaches the end of the line, his footsteps stop, right in front of me.

Awareness warms my skin, and slowly, I lift my gaze to his face. My heart stops, and then thunders behind my ribcage as I look into his eyes. Blazing orbs of fire entrapped in a block of ice. Such a dark, bottomless shade that makes me feel like I’ve taken a dive under water. He pins me with an unmoving stare. For so long. It makes me shift on my heels, and somehow, I know my body would be hot to the touch.

How can someone garner such a reaction from me with a simple stare?

But then he moves on, past the last girl and stopping with his back to his Escorts. Slightly, he cocks his head in a calm incline.

And then