When They Beg, I Rise!

The next day, after class, Lemira headed back to her dorm to change and picked out a short skirt. It was just the right length to cover the scar on her leg from that

car accident years ago.

Janice, her roommate, chuckled, "Hey, Captain, got a date or something? You're rocking the skirt today."

"What do you think of this one?"

"It's gorgeous. Your legs are so long and straight, I'm seriously jealous."

Realizing she might have hit a sensitive spot, Janice quickly changed the subject. Lemira grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. On the way, she noticed someone had spilled takeout on the stairs, making them dangerously slippery.

Thinking quickly, she texted Janice, [Hey, tell the others to avoid the stairs near our hall. There's a spill, and it's slick.]

Janice glanced at the photo Lemira sent and looked over at her new roommate, who was busy at her computer, "If you head out later, don't use those stairs. Lemira said someone made a mess and didn't clean it up."

The new roommate blinked in surprise, then nodded, "Thanks for the heads up."

Janice didn't push any further. The new girl was quiet, and they all coexisted peacefully enough.

to change out of her skirt. She went directly to the boxing area, where she spotted Orion leaning against the ring,

him, Lemira attempted to surprise him, but the second her hands

up at him, "It's just

arms bracing on either side of her as he leaned in, "Your ambush was a bit

are just insanely quick. You're always on high

was genuinely surprised at how he could be so perceptive. Their eyes locked, and Lemira found herself captivated by his handsome

lips against

tensed for

cupped

the kiss. Lemira's hands clutched together and then she wrapped her arms around his

was the

the floor as if they were one. Lemira's breath

while, Orion pulled back, his breathing heavy. With a subtle

her pink lips and said, his voice hoarse,

flushed, and

where her skirt had ridden up

him, bringing him back to

down, "Maybe don't