I step closer and run my hand down his cold arm, my heart speeding as he extends a hand and wipes rain from my cheek, his cold fingers resting on my skin as he looks at me.
"A kiss would warm me up," I say softly, half-scared he'll reject me again.
Jamie moves his fingertips to my lips and traces them gently before tipping my chin upwards. Time slows as his mouth nears mine and I forget about my wet clothes, the discomfort edged out by my one focus: kissing Jamie.
His mouth meets my lips, a raindrop from his nose touching mine at the same time. His lips are cool and familiar even though we've barely kissed, the softness becoming firm as I press mine on his in return. As I curl my fingers into his damp hair, Jamie draws away, the kiss ending as abruptly as it started. He doesn't speak, but I understand. With a small smile, I turn to look at the pouring rain. Jamie told me he wants to keep things simple; I’m wrong to push things further than he wants.
"Maeve. Look at me."
I turn back and Jamie sweeps me into an embrace, seizing me around the waist. I hold a hand out to steady myself on his chest, but our bodies meet and mould together, his lips on mine again, more insistent this time. I grasp his hair, desire for Jamie firing as his tongue strokes mine. Holding me against him, Jamie plays his fingers lightly along my side and I snatch my chance to explore the defined muscles of his chest, running a hand along from his pecs to his abs before gripping his soaked T-shirt to stop myself exploring any further.
I pull him by the shirt farther from the people nearby and my back touches the wall. He rests his forehead on mine and his warm breath strokes my heated cheeks. Without speaking, I hold his head, running my fingers across the nape of his neck as I pull him closer. Jamie's mouth brushes my cheek as he gradually moves his mouth to run his tongue gently across my lips. The heat from the sudden passion of Jamie's kiss rushes through my blood, but I still shiver.
This is the moment I’ve ached to share with Jamie.
"The rain was to move you both somewhere safe where I could talk to you, not give you an excuse to make out."
Jamie drops his hold on me, and I turn. Amelia stands beside us in a green rain jacket that reaches her knees. She pushes down the hood and purses her lips. I'm speechless and Jamie remains silent.
"Look, I don't have long, but I wanted to give you this." She pulls an older-style black phone from her pocket and holds it out to us. Jamie takes hold and stares between Amelia and the phone in confusion. "For if you need to get in touch with me, or us with you."
"Us?" asks Jamie. "Who are you with?"
He cranes his neck.
"Matt is nearby, watching in case anybody approaches."
"Matt," exclaims Jamie and looks around. "Can I speak to him?"
"No time." She chews a nail and darts her eyes around. "Alaric decided we need to be involved in the situation you created and we're keeping track of the Blackwoods. You two swanning around on dates is unhelpful and bloody stupid."
I tense. "Are the Blackwoods here?"
"No. But stay at the academy where you'll be harder to approach. The professors are powerful and so are you guys when you're all together. Stay that way. Please."
I can't help but smile at this new Amelia, out of her shell as she scolds us and takes charge.
“You said the rain is to make us move? Did you create that storm?" asks Jamie with quiet awe.
"With Matt's help, yes." Amelia pulls her hood back over her head and looks around. "We'll keep you updated on the Blackwoods' whereabouts, especially if they get closer to the academy. We're trying to locate Vince too. Have you found any more information about the insider at the academy?"
"Not yet," Jamie replies.
Amelia's expression grows distant and she places a finger on her lips as if listening to something. "Okay. Matt says we need to go. Hide the phone but check daily."
In a display of her old self, Amelia seizes me in a hug. I embrace her in return, wishing she'd come with us, but grateful Alaric and his gang changed their minds about helping. Did Amelia persuade them?
Jamie receives a big hug too, and she steps back. “I miss you guys."
"We miss you. Come back," implores Jamie.
"I can't. But please both go straight back to the academy," she urges. “Promise me.”
“Promise,” I whisper.
Amelia backs away and her eyes fill with mischief. "Either you're pink because you ran from the rain, Maeve, or Jamie is a good kisser."
With a chuckle, Amelia spins around and hurries away, head bowed.
Chapter Forty-Five
MAEVE
"Maeve! I've spent the afternoon looking for you."
I halt at Sofia's voice and Jamie side-glances me before we turn. Are we in trouble for leaving the academy? We arrived back and immediately changed from our soggy clothes, ready to find Andrei and Ash, to tell them about Amelia and the burner phone. And if we have time, also catch Tobias before class.
Sofia’s long, jet-black hair is piled into a bun today, accentuating her eyes, and she’s dressed down in one of her favourite long dresses decorated with blue roses. Her manner is softer than recently, and she gives me a warm smile. She graces Jamie with the same smile. Ah. Because we're together. Her grey eyes attempt to pierce my mind, but my wall is too strong.
"Is everything okay?" I ask.
Her charm bracelet jingles as she waves an arm. "You missed our practice session today."
"Oh. I'd forgotten,” I lie. “I could see you after class tonight?"
"I guess the practice can wait," she says with the tone of a martyr. "But please ensure you come to me tomorrow afternoon." She nods at Jamie. "You could join us if you like?"
“Of course,” I say, forcing a smile.
Jamie nods. “Sure.”
Sofia’s focus remains on Jamie, and she touches her neck in the same place his is injured. "Do tell me what happened to you. Petrescu?"
"No."
Her lips purse. "That is a vampire bite, which is a serious offence at the academy."
"I'm not the only witch who enjoys dangerous activities with vampires, and those other kids don’t get into trouble," he says.
Jamie.
"Yes. I'm well aware of that." I meet her eyes and they take on a harder edge.
"I meant those who enjoy the blood play,” he stammers.
Omigod, Jamie, shut up.
"And who—?" starts Sofia.
"We’ll be late for class," I interrupt. “Professor Whitlock isn’t pleasant if we’re late.”
Sofia makes a derisive noise but doesn’t comment. “Very well. I'll speak to you about that later." She jabs a finger at Jamie’s neck.
As we walk along the empty hallway towards the exit, my neck prickles as if she’s watching my every move. “Sofia won’t give up until she has an answer,” I say to Jamie.
“Yeah. I know.” He links his fingers through mine. “Have you warmed up now you’ve changed?”
“Definitely.” Everything changed. We’re back in uniform and back to academy life, far away from trips to the movies.