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.

gym, not bothering to change out of her skirt. She went directly to the boxing area, where she spotted Orion leaning against the ring, engrossed in his

surprise him, but the second her hands touched his eyes, she found herself

at him,

to sit on the edge of the ring, his arms bracing on either side of her as he leaned in, "Your ambush

No way, your reflexes are just insanely

be so perceptive. Their eyes locked, and Lemira found herself captivated by his

brushed his lips against hers.

body tensed for

hand cupped the

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

was the man she

one. Lemira's breath was

a while, Orion pulled back, his breathing heavy.

pink lips and said,

cheeks flushed,

down. Orion's eyes fell to her legs, where her skirt had ridden up

him back to reality. Controlling his

down, "Maybe