"Hey..." she whispered once more.
"I might die if you open your mouth once more."
She shut up. Tired.
After a while, the heat settled, but Isaac still couldn't bring himself to let go. His grip stayed wrapped around her waist, their bodies pressed together.
It was like he couldn't breathe without touching her.
His heart was hammering, and of course, she could hear it.
He finally spoke. "What's your name?" like he'd woken from a fever dream.
"..." she didn't reply.
"??" he looked at her. She looked away.
Awkward silence settled between them.
"I asked for a name."
"It was introduced in class."
"I don't remember."
"I don't care."
Isaac exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "Stop playing around."
His fingers cupped her cheeks, tilting her face up. His thumb then brushed against her soft skin.
Just looking at her face, her eyes, his insides twisted.
The power of a compatible omega? He wondered silently.
"I'm not playing," she countered, those doll-like eyes staring straight into his.
"…"
"…"
"Frustrating." Issac sighed in defeat.
"Yes, you are." She scowled.
"Isaac Rudiego." He introduced his name out of nowhere like it was supposed to mean something.
"?"
"My name."
"I didn't ask."
"What's yours."
"..."
"..."
"Aimi Lionesse."
"Lionesse." He repeated, "Lionesse..."
His attempt to recall failed. She must be from some family so small it's practically invisible.
"Whatever." He answered himself.
His fingers pressed against her lips, spreading them just slightly. His eyes fixated on the softness.
"Aimi." He leaned in, landing the softest peck.
It was sweet, too sweet. He wanted to devour her whole, but somehow, he couldn't bring himself to.
"Huh..." Aimi blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"What?."
"You should stop touching and kissing someone you just met," she huffed, once again attempting to push him away.
"I'm not letting you go, so stop trying."
"Tsk." Frustration clear on her face.
He reached up, caressing against the wrinkle between her brows, smoothing it out.
"Let me go," she repeated, voice sharper.
"Can't." His response was annoyingly casual, like, what do you mean 'can't'?
Her patience snapped. "Isaac Rudiego, I said, let me go. This is harassment. I could get the law involved—"
He didn't hear a word past his name.
He had never particularly liked his name. It was just a name. But hearing it roll off her tongue?
Suddenly, it's the prettiest thing he has ever heard.
"Wow, I'm so scared." He scoffed at her threat.
Before she could throw another protest, he pulled her in for another deep, consuming kiss again.
He deepened, his hands splaying against her back, pressing her closer.
His fingers traced up her spine, slow and deliberate, savouring every inch of contact. Her scent, her warmth, her very presence. He was drowning in it, intoxicated beyond reason.
His instincts screamed to claim.
But he didn't go further and pulled away.
Their breath was heavy and uneven.
Aimi's lips were slightly swollen from his kiss, her expression dazed but guarded.
Isaac pressed his forehead against hers, his body aching to keep her close.
He whispered against her skin. "Are you tired?"
Aimi exhaled. "Tired of you."
Isaac ran his fingers through her hair, watching her closely.
"Let go..." she murmured, tugging at his shirt.
The gentle touch made him listen. He stepped back, just 1 step, but his hand caught hers, holding on to it like a lifeline.
She looked up, meeting his gaze.
Then—
Her stomach growled.
"..."
"..."
Right. It was lunchtime.
Isaac smiled. "What do you want to eat?"
Aimi blinked, grounding herself. "I brought lunch."
His gaze flickered downward.
Her lunchbox lay on the ground, forgotten.
Without a word, he bent down, picked it up, and started walking, pulling her along.
Aimi frowned. "Where are you taking me?"
"The basement."
"Why?"
"So you can eat."
"I can eat in the cafeteria."
"I can't be there. The student councils are a pain to deal with."
"How is that my problem?"
Isaac didn't answer. They reached the basement doors in seconds.
As soon as he pushed them open, the air changed.
The scent of alcohol, cigarettes, sweat, and something worse hit her all at once.
Aimi's stomach twisted in disgust. Instinct took over—she yanked him back.
"No."
Isaac turned. "No, what?"
"I'm not eating here."
"..."
Before he could respond, a familiar voice rang out.
"Isaac~"
Emily.
She was sprawled on his couch, laughing with her friends, but the moment she noticed him, she was up in an instant.
Her arms wrapped around him, pressing into his chest, as usual.
But something felt wrong.
A sharp, sudden wave of disgust ran through Isaac's body.
It was instantaneous. Involuntary.
He didn't know why. He just knew that his body was rejecting the touch.
"Move." The command slipped out before he could stop it.
Emily froze.
The excitement on her face disappeared, and her grip loosened.
Isaac walked past her, another girl in his arms.
Again, Aimi resisted.
"I said I'm not going."
Isaac sighed. He didn't have many options. The student council made it difficult to be anywhere else. This was the only place he could take her.
"... Don't worry. It's safe. I'll protect you."
Across the room, Alex choked on his food. His spoon hit the counter.
Isaac Rudiego—number one king of arrogance—SAID WHAT?
Isaac ignored the choking sound. He led Aimi straight to his couch, sat down, and—before she could react—pulled her onto his lap.
Aimi stiffened.
The reek of dried alcohol, cigarettes, and evaporated cum made her stomach churn.
Her lunchbox sat untouched in her lap.
Isaac wrapped his arms around her, resting against her warmth.
"Eat," he muttered, closing his eyes.
Aimi didn't move.
Across the room, the gang exchanged glances, then quickly pretended not to see whatever the hell was happening.
Except for Emily. She stood frozen, staring at them.
Her friends whispered, tried to pull her toward the pool table, but her gaze never wavered.
Isaac always slept around, but he never ignored her like this. Never excluded her.
Alex muttered, "What's going on...?"
Kevin took a slow sip of his wine. "Maybe they just finished the act, so he's just relaxing with a little cuddle. Who knows?"
Aimi still wasn't eating.
Isaac noticed. "Why aren't you eating?"
"I'm going to throw up if I stay here any longer."
"Sorry. I can't be anywhere else."
"Like I said, how is that my problem? You don't have to be with me."
Isaac tilted his head. "I do." His fingers tilted her chin, thumb brushing against her cheek. "You should be happy you're gaining my favour."
"I fucking am not."
Isaac laughed. "Do you want me to feed you? Is that what this is?" He reached for her lunchbox.
Aimi shook her head. She soon realised the forceful resistance wasn't gonna get her anywhere, so she tugged his collar. "I really can't eat like this..." Her eyes softened. A little vunerable, a little sad.
Isaac sighed with a long, heavy pause.
He looked around the room, thought for a moment before saying, "Bring me a towel and change that music." He ordered.
The room stilled, but without question, they obeyed.
The neon lights dimmed. The heavy bass disappeared, replaced by a slow, mellow jazz tune.
Someone handed him a towel, he laid it over the couch, and moved Aimi to sit on top of it beside him.
The atmosphere was better. Somewhat less suffocating, but not by much.
He opened her lunchbox, scooped up a spoonful, and held it up. "Eat."