Viper's Kiss

Chapter 11

My fingers brushed against the books while my eyes scanned the labels on the books for romance or thriller. Every book that had caught my eye was a hit or miss, while the binding and cover was appealing; the summary was not enough to hold my attention. I blamed it on the fact that I was probably being too picky for my own good, but I did want the story I write to be amazing. It's not every day that a high school teacher gives us a chance to write and express with nothing holding us back.

My eyes settled on a black blinding with red and white words. "Pestilence" I had read the synopsis about four times before tucking the book underneath my arm. "That's one. Only two more to go," I sighed stepping out of that aisle and into the next one. This aisle had contained more fantasy books including Norse mythology and Incubus stories, which didn't pique my interest for school. However I did make note of a book to come back and check out in my own time.

Passing through the next aisle I had noticed Dameon, holding up a book titled "Touch of Darkness". The cover was black with a beautiful shade of grey as it’s base, and for the design. There was a man with a crown of thorns on his head while he head a lady, who arched into his embrace. Atop her head was a crown of flowers, all types or colors. The girl was outlined in magenta while the man was outlined in blue. The cover was every bit sensual as it was mysterious and seeing Dameon hold that back in his hand was a bit of a shock.

”I didn’t peg you for a gothic romance kind of dude. Not that I was paying attention but I’d think you were some sort of dark love.” I said giving the book another once other. He didn’t say anything only gave his head a slight shake before turning the page again. “You know you’re going to have to say something eventually. We can’t work in utter silence.”

”Mhmm.” Great we’ve leveled up to him making sounds at me in response.

”I don’t even know why I’m doing this assignment with you. Someone else should’ve chosen me, maybe that way I’d feel inspired. Maybe some eye candy that’d have my panties wet so I could write about an illicit affair. Instead all I got was a stupid classmate who makes my walls drier than-” My sentence was cut short and the words couldn’t fully leave my mouth as I was pushed back. My foot slipped beneath me however I didn’t fall. The center of my back scraped lightly against the array of books while my lower half almost violently slapped the wooden bookshelf. I had to stifle a scream by biting my lip and whatever words that use to occupy my mind was now lost in the confines of my mind.

’Touch of Darkness’ was now occupying the floor with the pages sprawled open and the person who had been occupying the book was now holding me up right. My book was directly beneath me and despite the initial shock, I was impressed that none of them came crashing down. One of his hands engulfed the both of mine, positioning them at the top of my head while his other hand was dangerously close to my face. I couldn't help but feel like prey, and the man in front of me was a predator toying with his food. It was as if I was a mouse wrapped in the vice grip of a snake, and the closer he got the more air I struggled to breathe.

I had to force myself to swallow the tightness in my throat in order to mumble out something. "What are you-" His hand gripped my chin with just enough pressure that it wasn't too tight but it was enough to shut me up. His eyes bore into mine and it felt as if he was scrutinizing me with his gaze.

"You...," he started. "You really know how to piss me off."

Okay...scary...but hot...

And despite the fact that I had told him that he couldn't turn me on, it felt like I was being sucker punched in the stomach now. I was indeed feeling some pressure between my legs off the fact that he said a few words to me in this position. I could curse my writer mind right now and the way it was turning this situation into a possible upcoming chapter.

"You finally talked to me. Wow if I knew insulting your 's*x appeal' was the trick I would've done it a long time ago. And here I thought my partner was just insufferable but nope you're just a typical male." I smiled at him. I saw the flex in his jaw before he tugged my arms up higher.

"Don't misunderstand me. I picked you to make sure you wouldn't tell anyone what you saw," he said as he angled himself towards my face. His breath fanned against my skin and his voice vibrating in my ear was enough to have me wanting to push this farther. Without the pressure of trying to f**k him I was feeling a bit more relaxed in his presence.

"It's nice to know you think so highly of yourself." I turned my face towards his, "but you can let me go now."

"Now that I'm looking at you closely. You're not doing much for me. Are you a virgin?" He asked while his hand moved from my cheek. It lightly grazed a path down my neck between my breast before stopping near the edge of my shirt. His words felt like a slap in my face and I nearly choked on air.

"And that matters because..." I trailed off distracted by his fingers which were now under my shirt making small circles against my skin. My cheeks were heating up and my breathing was a little bit faster than I would have liked.

"You can't tell someone about themselves when you've never experienced it but don't worry you're not my type," he stepped back and turned to pick up his book. I watched him dumbfounded as he picked it up and turn back to his original page, resuming his story as if he did just steal the breath out of my body. It took me a few moments to register that whatever had passed and I couldn't keep squirming where I stand. I picked up my book and walked over to him to position myself in front of his face.

"Excuse me," I pushed his book down with my index finger and peered up at him. "You're probably interested in fake big breasted bitches." I moved my finger away from his book and jabbed him in the chest with it. I was sick of the attitude and even more sick of my patience wearing thin. I came here to do this damn assignment then go home not be stressed out by his attitude. "I'd blow your stupid 'Grim Reaper' mind." I jabbed him again.

"Really now?" He closed his book with a quick snap of his palm and took my hand in his gently. My gaze dropped quickly at his hand but then moved up towards his face when he tugged me forward. "Prove it then." He smirked at me before dropping his head, placing his forehead on top of mind.

I knew what he was trying to do. I just didn't expect this. I hadn't expected him to be so 'flirtatious' since he'd always seemed scary but maybe this was his ploy. His game. He was toying with me proving once again that he was a snake ready to bite. Instead of backing down I leaned forward looking straight into his eye leaving only a bit of space between our lips. I gripped the collar of his hoodie, sucked in a quick breath, and tugged him in closing the gaps between our lips.

My eyes had closed instinctively the moment his hand gripped my waist. Our kiss started off soft and when I angled my head towards him a bit more to deepen the kiss. I didn't hesitate to open my mouth slightly when his tongue licked the bottom of my lip. My hand moved from his chest to underneath his hood, letting my fingers lightly rake into his hair. My lips worked his while tongue explored my mouth well enough to cause that pressure between my thighs again. His mouth fit mine perfectly and when his tongue entered my mouth, I sucked on it applying just a right amount of pressure. I almost lost myself in the kiss, only coming to my senses when I heard him let out a soft groan. Taking that as my win, I pulled back from him letting his hand drop from my waist.

"Can we work on our assignment now?" I stepped past him, my shoulder colliding with his. I didn't even wait for a response as I left out the aisle. My face was hot and I knew that I was blushing way harder than I needed to while my lips felt tingly. It was a better kiss than I anticipated and despite the fact that I told him I wold blow his mind he did have an affect on mine as well.

I tried not to think about it when I got back to the table and started reading my book skimming through the pages quickly to understand how the story started. I hadn't expected a story about one of the four horsemen to center itself around the romantic aspect of it but nonetheless it was a bit interesting.

"How's the story?" Dameon asked as he settled into the chair across from me.

"You're talking to me now? This is interesting." I looked up from him and made eye contact with him. He smirked at me while he placed his book on the table and shrugged.

"Doesn't make sense to stay silent now. We've already kissed," he shrugged. "Anyways how's the story."

"It's fine. I'm not really into biblical figures but this one seemed interesting. How's your book."

"Still figuring that out. Care to switch?" He pushed the book towards me. I closed mine and slide it across the table at him then pulled his novel open. My eyes took in the cover once again before opening up the cover and reading the description. In a retelling of Hades and Persephone's story from the author LR Bisch comes a tragic love story filled with betrayal, war, and s****l tension like none other.

Persephone, who has now escaped the tyrannical rule of her mother steps foot into the Underworld, a city coined for its shady dealings. Draped in s*x, black market sales, and crime she seeks a new life with her best friend Artemis. During her first night of freedom she hits it off with a handsome stranger who wants to show her a whole new side of danger. Unbeknownst to it all her mysterious lover is Hades, ruler of the Underworld and sworn enemy of her father Zeus.

While Persephone fall deeper in love with Hades, he's planning to ruin her.

I looked up from the book at Dameon before glancing back up again. I probably repeated this a few times before he caught on giving me a confused look "I didn't peg you for a mythology reader. I thought you were more of a veteran romance if any at all."

"I like to learn. Greek mythology has a bunch of story lines and misconceptions that I don't mind reading fan creations. You, on the other hand, I was expecting you to pick up some sort of slasher novel. You were talking so much about horror and romance that I was preparing myself to read some stupid story," he made a face. "Seriously? Veteran romance?"

"Yup. That or some dark story with no romance in it at all. I'm just glad you're not a cliche." I smiled.

"What do you mean by that?" He licked his lips and I found myself drawn to the simple action. Before I knew it my mind was replaying our kiss all over again. My lips tingled with anticipation and I quickly dropped my head down to my story, shaking it almost too frantically.

"Nothing let's just work on our assignment. Any input since you made faces out my ideas? I'm hoping you're more cooperative this time." I pulled my laptop towards me, opening up a fresh document and typed both of our names in. The assignment paper was now on his side of the table and I could tell he was reading it carefully. I watched the way his brows knitted together while he pondered about the story line and it made him look less intimidating.

Well I'm probably not intimidated by him anymore if we're being honest.

"Let's just choose something supernatural since we both picked up something along those lines. We can write about the Grim Reaper and his love life turned tragic." He eyed me over the people, and I noticed the evil glint in his eyes when they narrowed and I couldn't help but feel like it was pertaining to what I called him earlier.

"Okay." I smiled, typing the tag line. 'Death Ruined Me'

The little mouse in me had probably irked the viper to tightening it an never letting go but deep down I was excited. And I knew that there was no going back after this.