Chapter 4

Jogging through the campus, the muscles in my thighs burned a little. It had been a little over a week since I’d ran last and my body was letting me know that it wasn’t impressed.

With my long black hair secured in a ponytail, it bobbed on the back of my head with every stride. My ears quivered with delight as a heavy metal band blared angry lyrics. I rarely ran in silence, music was a muse for me.

The early morning sun was just centering itself in an ocean of blue sky. A brisk wind brushed against my face, air drying the tiny beads of sweat that were forming along my hairline.

Pulling my stopwatch from the front pocket of my sweatshirt, I checked the time.

Another ten minutes, then I should go back for a shower and head to the medical department for my next torture session.

Tucking my watch back into my pocket and turning a corner around the University, I started a sprint down the football field. Hot blood ran to my head and hands, a powerful thudding coursed through me as my body surged with energy. After only five minutes, however, I was surprised to find myself huffing and puffing a little.

Doesn’t take long for the body to lose shape. I thought with a disgruntled snort. How fickle the human body can be, one day it’s your best friend, the next, your worst enemy.

Slowing myself to a light jog, I noticed a couple walking hand in hand through the park. A pang of jealously twisted at my heart as my eyes lingered on the happy pair. I’d gone on a few dates in my life, but nothing, and I do mean nothing, ever came from them but annoyance.

Having been raised on the reservation, there’s a different approach to courtship. Most choose the more traditional route and allow their parents to find them a suitable mate. The Western world shuns the idea of betrothal because they think it is a violation of individual rights, but in reality, it can be a very romantic way to discover love. Parents would only want the very best for their children, so they’d choose the best possible fit. Scouring nearby villages for the perfect future husband or wife, they can spend years searching for that right match.

I, however, being an orphan, was no one’s first choice for a wife. Without access to my ancestry, medical history or proven bloodline, I was considered ‘unfit’ for any of the boys within a hundred mile radius.

Stopping to take a breath and stretch my calves, I held onto a nearby oak tree and flexed my knees forwards and then straightened them.

Resentment for my biological parents seeped into my heart. Why did they leave me in the cave? Who were they? Wasn’t I worth keeping?

The questions had plagued me for most of my life; I began to wonder if they’d ever be answered.

A tap on my shoulder startled me out of my pity party. Pulling my earphones out and spinning around, I wasn’t quite prepared for what I was about to see.

“Hi…um…you dropped this.” A tall, bronze-skinned man said as he handed me my stopwatch.

“Oh! Thanks!” I responded as I took the timepiece. His eyes reminded me of dark chocolate with a dash caramel in the middle. His black hair looked freshly cut but was left long enough to entertain a mass of wavy curls. It was fairly obvious that this guy worked out—a lot. I had to force my eyes away from his massive chest.

Towering over me with a warm smile, I looked at the ground as I felt heat rush to my cheeks.

“I’m Keanu.” He stated as he extended his large right hand to me.

“Like the actor?” The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them. This guy made me nervous, I felt like a brainless teenager around him.

“Yah, like the actor.” His eyes twinkled with a kind humor. “And you are?”

“Cassia.” I couldn’t make my mouth relax, a silly grin stayed planted on my face.

“Like the spice?” His handsome face looked inquisitive.

“Spice?”

“Yes, there’s a spice, like cinnamon, called Cassia.”

“Wow, really? I had no idea.” Feeling stupid that I didn’t even know what my name meant, I attempted to change the subject. “Where did you find my watch?”

His bicep flexed as he turned and pointed to the far side of the University where I’d been only moments before. I averted my eyes from his arm to my watch as he looked back at me. Realizing the time, I debated internally whether or not to go to my next torture session in the medical wing. After only a few seconds, I quickly decided that because I was ‘volunteering’, I could go tomorrow.

“Do you…wanna go get a coffee or something?” Keanu asked shyly as his eyes searched my face.

My stomach did a little flutter of butterflies as I answered with a grin. “Sure.”

***

Sipping the steaming mocha with appreciation, I savored the creamy liquid velvet as it ran down my throat. My hands hugged the sides of the hot mug, treasuring the rare treat. Since starting school, such luxuries were few and far between. Taking another drink, I glanced over the brim of the cup at the large, gorgeous man admiring me from across the table.

“So you’re taking Archeology?” I found his deep voice intoxicating.

“Um, yes. I’ve always loved ancient artifacts. I’m going to move to Egypt when I’m done.” I blurted out.

“Cool.” He responded with a warm smile.

“What are you taking?” I set my cup down but continued to clutch the warm sides; my hands were cold which always seemed to happen when I was nervous.

“Engineering.”

“Whoa, that’s a tough one.” I stated, truly impressed.

His bronze cheeks reddened a little and he grinned as he lowered his head. “Well, it’s not too bad. Are you from Washington originally?”

“No, Arizona.”

“Were you born there?” Keanu’s dark brown eyes were penetrating as he probed me about my life.

Nodding, I finished off the last of my mocha. Peeking wistfully into the empty mug, I hoped our food was coming shortly, I was hungry.

“In Phoenix?” He prodded.

“Um…” I always had problems answering that one. I didn’t like to explain where I was born. Most of the population could boast at least being born in a city, and more specifically, a hospital. There was no pride in stating that my mother pushed me out in a cave and then left. “Sedona. You?” I finally answered, fudging the truth a little.

“Hawaii.” He smirked as my eyes lit up with his answer.

“Oh, I’ve always wanted to go there!” I really did. The way the island seemed to breathe with beauty and energy, it was a dream of mine to take a holiday there.

“It is…beautiful.” His mouth spoke, but his eyes were firmly focused on mine as he annunciated the word beautiful.

The corners of my mouth twitched into a smile and for what felt like the hundredth time that day, I blushed like a schoolgirl.

The waitress arrived beside us with our order. I was ravenous and very grateful to Keanu for buying me a decent meal. It had been a few weeks since I’d eaten anything but macaroni and cheese.

“Any brothers or sisters?” He inquired as he took a large forkful of pancakes. The man’s metabolism must have been that of a lion! He’d ordered eight pancakes, two sides of bacon and four fried eggs! My meager French toast, orphaned between a slice of ham and a strawberry garnish, looked like a bite size snack for him. I would’ve ordered more but I didn’t want to take advantage of his gesture. I didn’t know if this was considered a date so it was best if I just remained polite and not order everything on the menu.

“Nope, just me. You?”

“I have a twin sister, Keila. She’s still in Hawaii.” His entire face warmed with the mere mention of his family yet I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw a twinge of sadness behind his eyes.

Swallowing a mouthful of pancake, he inquired. “Are your parents still in Sedona?”

He had no idea how painful these questions were for me to answer; I felt my defensive mechanism churning deep within me. I wanted to drop the family subject and the inquisition altogether. Debating within myself as to how to answer, my eyes locked downward, I quietly responded. “My grandmother raised me.” I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. I really liked this guy, but we desperately needed a fresh topic.

He must have sensed my discomfort because he reached over and took my hand. Allowing my eyes to move up to his, I was surprised at the compassionate expression he wore.

For the first time in my life, my heart did a little skip. An awkward silence loomed over the table for a moment. I searched my mind desperately to find something intelligent to talk about but came up empty. Thankfully, he spoke first.

“Do you want to go for a walk or something?” His brown eyes shone with a hopeful glint as he awaited my answer.

“Sure.” I responded very quickly, my voice high-pitched. He made me nervous…but in a good way. I wanted to be with him. I liked his company and I certainly liked looking at him. Normally, I wasn’t the kind of girl who liked the large, hulking type, but damn, he was just a god among men.

Collecting our things, he paid and then led me out of the restaurant, his hand gently placed on the small of my back.

The morning sun was nestling itself into the center of the sky as we walked slowly around the large campus.

Several students were scattered about the yard, enjoying one of the last warm days of fall. Some studious pupils poured over books as they sat beneath the old oak trees. Standing like sentinels over the old University, their nearly bare branches stretched into the sky as though reaching for some unseen angel.

Keeping stride with Keanu, I smiled as I soaked in the atmosphere. A light wind whipped a few strands of my ebony hair over my lips.

“What are you thinking?” He tilted his head with an inquisitive grin as he reached over and gently pulled the flyaway hairs from my face.

“Oh, nothing really, just enjoying today…a lot.” Blushing as I gave him a telling glance.

Swinging his large arm gently over my shoulders and giving me a squeeze, he leaned in and with a low, seductive voice replied. “Me too.”