Eryx was the first to break the silence, his voice dropping into that soft, teasing tone that always made her heartbeat trip.
"You know..." he murmured, brushing a loose strand of her hair behind her ear,
"...you stared so hard at my lips...that I thought you might actually devour it."
Athena’s head snapped up, heat rushing to her cheeks. "I wasn’t staring," she muttered.
He raised a brow, amused. "Oh? So your eyes just... accidentally hovered on my mouth for ten full seconds?"
She scoffed and crossed her arms, refusing to move from his lap. "That was making sure you weren’t about to do sothing stupid again."
Eryx’s smile widened, dangerously charming, boyish and shaless. "Stupid? Princess, if I kissed you, that wouldn’t be stupid." He leaned in just a little, eyes dancing with mischief. "That would be destiny."
Athena snorted before she could stop herself. "Destiny? Really?" She tilted her head. "Who taught you that line? Theodore? Because that sounds like him."
Eryx actually laughed, like full-on laughed. Deep, warm and completely unrestrained. "Oh my god," he said between laughs, "you’re impossible."
"And you’re dramatic," she shot back, smirking.
He tightened his arm around her waist just a little. "You like it."
She rolled her eyes. "Never said that."
"You don’t have to," he teased. "You’re sitting on my lap, Athena. Voluntarily. That says everything."
Athena blinked, then lifted her chin in challenge. "I’m only here because your thighs are comfortable. Don’t get too excited."
Eryx’s mouth fell open in mock offense before he burst out laughing again. His shoulders shaking.
"Oh, you’re definitely staying here," he said, pulling her even closer, "because now I need to recover from that attack."
She tried not to smile and failed miserably.
"There it is," he whispered, tapping her cheek softly, "that smile that kills ."
Athena swatted his hand away but didn’t move off him. But she couldn’t help the smile that pulled on her lips.
Eryx suddenly asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Who was the first person you saw on your first day of school?"
Athena scoffed, rolling her eyes, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "You," she said imdiately, then added, a little bitterly, "and you and Adrianna... fucking in that empty classroom." Her voice softened slightly, betraying a flicker of jealousy she tried to hide.
Eryx groaned, burying his face against her neck. "Can we not talk about it?" he muttered, frustration threading through the sound.
Athena didn’t look at him. Her fingers absently played with Theodore’s shirt, inhaling his faint , and sohow comforting scent. The warmth of it only made the mory of him and Adrianna sting more sharply.
Eryx shifted slightly, his arm tightening around her waist. "Hey..." he murmured softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You’re jealous, aren’t you?"
Athena’s lips pressed into a thin line, refusing to et his gaze. "How many girls... did you... do... that with?" Her words ca out in a hesitant whisper, more vulnerable than she intended.
Eryx’s chest stiffened, eyes snapping open. Damn it. That question hit harder than he expected...it was the most difficult question he’d ever been asked in his life. He swallowed, his mind racing.
"I..." he started, voice low and hesitant. He took a breath, eting her eyes finally. "...I stopped all that. All of it." His tone was firm now, resolute. "The mont I realized you mattered... it ended. You’re the only one that matters now, Athena. Only you."
He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "And... I’d be glad...glad, to do those things... with you... and you alone."
Athena’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart hamred against her ribcage, and her stomach fluttered with a mix of relief, heat, and disbelief. She looked away, feeling her cheeks burn, yet the warmth pooling inside her refused to leave.
Eryx gently lifted her chin with his hand, forcing her to et his gaze. "You hear ?" His voice was almost desperate now. "You’re the only one I want. No one else. Not ever. You."
Athena’s lips parted slightly. Her fingers tightened around the shirt in her lap, feeling the steady warmth of his hand against her skin. For the first ti since sitting on his lap, the storm inside her quieted just a fraction.
Eryx smirked, seeing the subtle blush spreading across her cheeks. "And don’t even try to deny it, you like being mine too, don’t you?"
Athena’s eyes darted away, a small laugh escaping her despite herself. "Maybe..." she murmured, teasing but soft, still holding onto her composure.
Eryx chuckled, the sound low and filled with satisfaction. "Good," he said, leaning back slightly but keeping her firmly on his lap. "Because I don’t plan on sharing you with anyone."
Athena’s chest rose and fell rapidly. She remained there, caught between resisting and giving in, while Eryx’s boldness and possessiveness wrapped around her like a warm, dangerous blanket.
"You know..." she said, her voice quiet but mischievous, "you’re kind of terrifying when you’re serious like that." She tried to sound nonchalant, but her racing heart betrayed her.
Eryx’s smirk widened, amusent flickering in his eyes. "Terrifying? Is that how you describe , princess?" His hand tightened just slightly on her waist, drawing her closer. "And yet... you’re still here. On my lap. You haven’t fled screaming."
Athena bit the inside of her cheek, cheeks warming at the statent. "I..." she trailed off, trying to think of a witty coback, "maybe I’m just insane like you."
Eryx chuckled, low and throaty, leaning down so his lips were dangerously close to her ear. "Insane, huh? I like that. Makes you... interesting." His hot breath tickled her skin, and she shivered, pressed her hand on his chest to put a little space between them. Atleast for the sake of her sanity.
"You’re enjoying this way too much," she murmured, trying to sound playful but failing as her chest pressed into his hard one.
"I enjoy a lot of things," he replied, his tone dark and teasing. "But you... you amuse most of all."
Athena laughed softly, unable to stop herself. "Amuse you? That’s a scary thought, considering you can be terrifying."
Eryx’s eyes glead with mischief. "Terrifying... and bold. That’s exactly why I like you. You challenge . You’re not just so girl who sits quietly and obeys. You fight. You tease. You push and I like that."
Athena’s lips twitched into a small, shy smile, and Eryx noticed imdiately. "Why are you smiling like that?" he whispered, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"I... I don’t know," she admitted softly, her gaze flicking down. " You’re just cute and possessive."
Eryx’s smirk softened into a genuine, almost vulnerable smile. "Cute?" he repeated, almost teasingly, then leaned down closer. "I’ll take that as a complint... but don’t forget, princess, I can be terrifying too."
Athena let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "I know..."
Eryx’s laugh joined hers. He tightened his a around her waist even more.
"You’re lucky I’m in a good mood tonight," he whispered, voice low, teasing. "Otherwise, I might have carried you straight to my room."
Athena blinked, cheeks heating instantly. "Oh really? And what would you have done there?" she asked softly, daring him but keeping her composure.
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