17- The Beast Is Very Beautiful!

Dante managed to park in front of my apartment. I got out of the car, helped Dante out, and climbed the stairs until we reached my apartment. Let me tell you, the man was quite heavy for my stature, not to mention it was stairs. We arrived at my apartment, I opened the door and sat him down on the couch while I fetched the thermometer and fever medicine with some water. I placed the thermometer under his left arm, and measured his fever, and it read 38 degrees. I handed him the medicine and water, which he drank in seconds.

— How are you feeling? - I asked.

— Exhausted. - He said, resting his head on the couch.

— Taking a moment to analyze, you were already acting strange when you met me at the restaurant.

— I was? - He said, opening his eyes and looking at me intently.

I felt a shiver throughout my body; it was as if he could see my soul, and my feelings, and even read my mind.

— Yes, you were leaning against the wall outside the café. - I said, ignoring my thoughts.

— I didn't even realize that the extreme fatigue I was feeling this morning was due to a fever.

— Are you eating properly? I said, crossing my arms.

— Do you mean instanoodles? - He said, smiling without a trace of guilt.

— Keep it up, and soon you'll end up in the hospital!

— Will you take care of me if I do?

— I'll punch you if you don't improve your diet and start taking better care of yourself.

— Wow, you're so bossy, huh? - He said, all playful.

— I always have been, and I'm proud of it. Now you're going to take a shower while I prepare food.

— But I didn't bring any clothes.

— It doesn't matter because my clothes will fit you. - I said, winking at him.

I went to my room to get the clothes and also the towel for him. I opened my wardrobe and found a plain gray T-shirt and loose shorts that I used for sleeping, and since they were in size XL, they would fit him perfectly, especially because they were men's clothes. I grabbed the towel and returned to the living room to give him the things, but that's when I realized he was already sleeping, seated.

I decided to rearrange the couch to make him sleep comfortably. I placed a pillow against the armrest, grabbed a blanket to keep him warm but not too warm since his fever needed to go down, and tried to wake him up, but without success. So, I had to figure it out, what could I do? I brought him forward a bit, took off his jacket, unbuttoned his shirt a little, and tried to lay him on the pillow, but that's when he fell on top of me. Yes, he was heavy.

— Damn it! - I said, feeling the weight.

I managed to get out from under him (still don't know how), arranged him properly, and took off his shoes. I placed the blanket over him and measured his fever again, which, to my joy, was at 37 degrees. I celebrated with my strange dance and went to the kitchen to prepare soup. I washed the dishes, boiled some water, and went to the fridge to get potatoes, carrots, chayote, and broccoli. I washed and cut all the ingredients and put them in the water to cook with a pinch of salt. I didn't want to add too much seasoning as it would be too strong for someone with weakened health. When the vegetables were almost cooked, I added homemade noodles and waited for the cooking time so that the pasta wouldn't be too hard or too mushy (just right). It took me about 50 minutes to have everything ready, but since Dante was still asleep, I ate a bowl myself and left the rest in the pot, covered, until he woke up. I decided to take a shower because I still had to study for tomorrow's Thursday exam. I went to my room, changed into my winter pajamas, and took a shower. After the shower, I prepared the study materials I needed, grabbed a thin blanket, and went to the balcony to study since I didn't want to disturb Dante, who was still deeply asleep. I took a look at the stars already hovering in the black canvas of the sky: "How perfect!" - I thought.

I went back inside, grabbed a coffee, and returned to the balcony. I took a look at the study materials and felt satisfied that it was another theoretical exam.

— Hooray! That's how I go from exam to exam, satisfied with the results. - I said, smiling.

I spent about three hours studying, reviewing all the material, and feeling confident, I wanted to get a good night's sleep (well, I would have to wake up a few times during the night to check Dante's fever, but that was okay). I stretched in the chair, organized my materials, put them in my backpack, got up, and took another glance at his fever. I entered the room quietly so as not to make noise and wake him up. So far, so good, I just didn't count on tripping over the corner of the TV stand. I almost cried from the pain in my little toe, but I took a deep breath and headed towards the couch. I took a quick look over him, and Dante seemed not to have woken up from my clumsiness, so I placed my hand on his forehead to check his fever, which, to my joy, was the same temperature as mine. Then, as I removed my hand from his forehead and turned to leave, I felt a hand grabbing my wrist and pulling me between him and the backrest of the couch.

— Are you awake? - I said, a mix of surprise and irritation.

— Yes, I just woke up from the noise of your stumble. - He said, smiling.

— Why did you pull me? Let me go. - I said, trying to push him in vain.

— No, I need you to keep an eye on me tonight.

— I will, but I'm going to sleep in my own bed.

— Are you sure? - He said, leaning his face close to mine.

— Of course, but I won't be sleeping with you, I refuse!

Dante lifted my chin and leaned down to reach my lips. I stayed still, even though my mind was saying, "This is wrong, Kyra, step back and fight against it!" I couldn't. Dante kissed me gently. His lips were so soft and inviting that I felt like I was on cloud nine. He placed his hand on my waist and pulled me closer. He put one hand on the back of my neck and deepened the kiss. I responded to the kiss, placing my hands in his hair and letting him take control. It was when he moved one hand to my butt that I snapped out of the daze.

— What do you think you're doing? - I said, removing his hand from there.

— Sorry, it was involuntary. - He said defensively.

— I see. - I said, pushing him away.

— Kyra, I really don't know what's going on. All I know is that I enjoy spending time with you, that I feel comfortable, and that your lips are like a magnet to me.

— You're shameless, aren't you? - I said, getting up.

— I'm being sincere.

— And what good is your sincerity if you don't take me seriously?

— Are you talking about dating?

— Exactly! I'm not your type, you play with me, and you think it's okay?

— I'm not playing with you.

— Then what are you doing?

— I think about kissing you every time I see you, I miss you, and I desire you. Maybe if we deepen the relationship, this will pass... Don't you agree?

— You're an idiot! Are you kissing me just to satisfy your desire? How dare you? - I said, extremely irritated.

— Kyra, I don't know... I've never been through this before, everything is new. And I...

— Enough! - I said, interrupting him. - There's soup in the pot, the clothes are here if you want to take a shower. - I pointed to the armrest of the couch.

— Thank you for taking care of me.

— Just do me a favor, okay?

— What?

— Leave me alone! Goodnight. - I said, angrily, and went to the bedroom.

Dante was left puzzled by what had just happened. He had never experienced anything like this before, not even with Lola, which left him utterly confused. The fact that he didn't know how to handle his own feelings was driving him almost crazy. How he wanted Kyra, but it felt so wrong just because she was younger? Or because she was a student who bothered him? Well, all I can say is that the "beast" is very beautiful!