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.

went directly to the boxing area, where she spotted Orion

Lemira attempted to surprise him, but the second her hands touched his eyes, she found

blinked up at him,

to sit on the edge of the ring, his arms bracing on either side of

way, your reflexes are just

how he could be so perceptive. Their eyes locked, and Lemira found herself captivated by his handsome face, her heart doing

he gently brushed his lips against hers. Lemira, feeling

tensed

his hand cupped the

Lemira's hands clutched together and then she

was the man

were one.

his breathing heavy. With a subtle look, he

moisture from her pink lips and said, his voice hoarse,

cheeks flushed, and

her legs, where her skirt had ridden up slightly, revealing the scar from her

him back

her skirt back down, "Maybe don't wear skirts