Chapter 4

As promised, Gauron shows up a little before seven, carrying with him a lidded box about the size of one used for pizza, except taller in height.

"What's in the box?" I ask suspiciously. I'm sitting on the edge of the bed, glowering at Gauron as he sets the mysterious package down beside me.

"Strip," he orders. Then he turns and heads for the bathroom, pointedly ignoring my gawking.

"W-w-what do you mean, 'strip'?" I stammer, my face flushing red as a tomato, I'm sure. I don't move a muscle.

"I mean, change into the clothes inside that box," Gauron clarifies. "What dirty thoughts were you thinking, Kashim?" He stops in his tracks for a moment to flash me a cocky grin.

"N-nothing at all, I was just unsure about what was in the box, that's all." I glare furiously at my lap.

He sighs, shaking his head before entering the bathroom. Before he closes the door, he says through the crack, "Don't worry, Kashim. We'll have plenty of time later to fulfill your fantasies."

"What fantasies-!"

Fuming, I fall back onto the bed, deep in thought. The way things are going, I'm definitely not keeping my word to the Captain when I told her I'd stay away from Gauron…at least this way it'll be easier to monitor what he's up to.

Resigned, I sit up and tentatively pick up the box. I pull off the lid and carefully lift the suit out of its container.

Yes, a suit.

Not once in my life had I ever worn one, as Gauron must have expected. Therefore, as I was unfolding the layers of clothing, I was completely stumped as to how to put it on.

"Honestly, Kashim, you're a genius in the battlefield, but when it comes to other things, such as social events, you're like a fish out of the water."

I whip my head around and find Gauron leaning against the wall, watching me. The last traces of the stubble on his chin have vanished. So that's what he was doing in there.

He walks up to me, takes the bundle from my hands, then lifts a white button-down shirt from it. "Best be careful with this suit. The fabric is very fine, so it doesn't crease easily. One of the reasons I could keep it in this box without using an iron." He straightens the shirt out. "And it was worth it to catch your reaction." A smirk.

"Shut up. Just tell me what to do, and I'll put the damn thing on myself." I grit out from behind clenched teeth.

"Well then, take off your shirt. Or, do you need some assistance with that, too?"

"I-I'm fine." I lift my shirt over my head, all the while aware of Gauron's gaze on my chest. I toss the shirt aside and glance back in his direction. He still has his eyes fixed on my upper body, and by the way he's smiling, I know that his mind's not up to any good.

"Instead of standing there and staring rudely, would you mind if you handed me the shirt already?"

"Of course, Kashim." Gauron gives me the dress shirt, and I slide my arms into it before buttoning it up. "It's just that your body looks so…delectable."

My face flaming, I straighten the collar of the shirt and grab the jacket out of his arms without a word. I finish dressing minutes later, with Gauron silently watching all the while.

God, doesn't he have anything better to do than scrutinize people while they're dressing?

"Let's go," I say, heading out the door, without looking to see if he's following.

"Wait, Kashim, your tie's crooked." He spins me around, then leans in to inspect the thing before adjusting it accordingly.

His face is too close, I think frantically. I instinctively pull my face back from his.

Gauron catches this action, of course, because nothing escapes his hawk's eye. "What's the matter, Kashim? Are you possibly nervous to be so close to me?" Gauron sneers.

"Of course not, don't be preposterous."

We lock eyes with each other, Gauron with his infuriatingly bemused expression, and I with my unwavering one. At least, I hope it was.

"Well, let's see if this'll change that."

And I feel his lips pressed against mine.

For a moment, I'm standing there, stunned, as Gauron kisses me, his desire overwhelming. My mind is in a whole other dimension, like I was injected with the painkiller they sometimes gave soldiers when wounded in battle. But then I realize whose lips are on mine, and my mind snaps back to reality. I shove him away violently.

"W-w-what did you think you were doing?" I shout angrily. I wipe my mouth off wildly, but some hidden part of me deep inside is berating me for pulling away.

"Just enjoying my appetizer," Gauron grins. "Because, of course, there'll be more to come later. When we're alone."

And with that, he heads down the hallway, leaving a dazed expression on my face, one, I hoped, contained no trace of the longing I felt.