Alex and I are greeted by the library closed door on Monday afternoon. 'Closed: meeting in progress' we can read on the sign taped on the door. We both let out a sigh at the same time.

"Guess we'll have to go to the study hall. Good thing that we've borrowed the books we needed."

I hate the study hall. The atmosphere there is oppressive. Most people don't go to study, and if you want to work, you have to deal with a babel of noises, spitballs flying more than bullets on a battlefield, and all of this with barely a few inches of desk.

"The study hall is full. I've walked past it on my way up," Alex turns down my idea, shaking his head, though it doesn't really bother me.

The problem now is that we have to find a quiet place work.

I glance outside through the windows. The beautiful blue sky has been replaced by dark clouds and relentless rain since yesterday.

"We can go to my house, my parents aren't there... I mean..." All the blood rushes to my face as I realize what I've said and what it could mean. That's why I avoid talking too much!

"Yeah, okay. We'll take my motorbike, like last time. I know the way, now." He smirks and takes my bag on the floor.

"I guess you still don't have two helmets!" I smile and shake my head, following him.

After a quick, soaking ride, we arrive at my house, and I struggle with my keys, trying to open the front door. The rain is still pouring, and it's not the gutter that is helping to protect us from getting drenched. But my shaking hands are not efficient as I realize it's the first time I will be alone with a guy at home, and the more I try to hurry, the more the bundle of nerves I'm growing into is battling with the keys and the lock. I know this is stupid because we're just working on a school project, yet feeling his unnerving presence behind me doesn't help to steady my hands.

By some miracle, I finally manage to open the door, and we both get in. As soon as he closes the door, the continuous sound of the rain sloshing on the road is muted, and we're left standing in an awkward silence, him, looking around, and me, nibbling on my lip.

"Er... we should go in the kitchen? We'll be better to work," I suggest, showing him the way.

"Make yourself at ease." I point to the table.

Suddenly the familiar surroundings of the kitchen seem different. I can't decide if it looks smaller or wider, but the pearly walls and the slate gray table and chairs appear under a new light around his dark aura.

The silence is still sharply there, prickling my nerves, as Alex is just studying me with his piercing gaze.

"Do you want something to drink or eat?" I ask, wringing my hands.

"Um, yes, some water please." He finally speaks, his voice slightly hoarse from the cold rain that has wet our hair. "And if you have some cookies..." he adds, his eyes twinkling.

A smile stretches my lips at the compliment, which may be implied and unusual, but since he keeps asking for them, I take it that he finds them as 'delicious' as he's told me. "No, sorry. But do you want something else sweet like chocolates, candies..."

"No, I'm fine. I'm not hungry for that kind of sweet." He looks me in the eyes, the dark intensity there sending a shiver down my spine and a rush of heat to my cheeks.

I quickly turn around and grab two glasses, trying to hide my red cheeks and busy my shaky hands.

My nerves calm down when we start to work on the project, school work being something I know and can control.

We're in the middle of a quest for differents fields where the Law of Attraction is applying in day to day life when the screen of his phone, which is set on the table, lights up with a text message from a certain 'Mitch'.

'Hey, Birthday boy! You got a lot to celebrate tonight...' I don't see the rest, the screen turning black again.

"Oh?! It's your birthday today?! Happy Birthday!" I exclaim, smiling at him.

He lifts up his head from the book he has been absorbed in, his eyebrows rising to meet the few wet curls falling on his forehead, and I realize that I've been really indiscreet.

"S-sorry, I didn't... I didn't mean to look at your phone..." I bite my lip, regretting to have opened my mouth once again.

"No, it's okay." He smiles. "Thank you."

"You should have told me. We wouldn't have worked today." My stomach shrivels at the thought of enduring those tedious searches after a long school day as a birthday present.

"It's all right. I'm fine here, with you," he states with a convincing smirk.

His answer takes me aback once more, and I feel a warmth travel from my chest up my neck under his penetrating gaze.

"I don't even have a gift for you!" I sigh, looking down.

I know we barely know each other, yet I think everyone deserves birthday gifts from the people around. No matter how small, a tiny present or attention is heart-warming, and not getting anything from the people close can hurt.

"Unless... wait... I have an idea!" I stand up with excitement as a light switches in my head, which might also deepen the red on my cheeks in the process. "We can make a cake!" I grin.

He stares at me with wide eyes, chuckling. "We?! Like you and me?" He points with his index finger. "You may not know, but I DON'T cook!"

"Is the 'baddest bad boy' scared?!" I raise my eyebrows, smirking. Once again I don't know from where my confidence is coming from, but my determination is outshining my nervousness.

"No, but you should be! If you don't want your kitchen to end up on fire!" He keeps shaking his head. "I mean, I don't know how to cook," he adds; I guess realizing what he could have meant with his reputation with fires and other crimes.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." I grab my apron, pastel pink with cupcakes on it, and give him one, simple and blue. "Anyone can cook. You just have to follow the recipe, and we'll do it together." I hold his warm gaze, trying to show him assurance even if my legs are growing weak.

He puts his apron on, and I can't help but smile because seeing the bad boy Alex Carter wearing an apron is not something you would expect. Yet he still manages to look hot and very manly, the azure fabric contrasting with his dark eyes and highlighting his strong figure.

"Don't laugh at me!" he warns with a big smile.

"I'm not," I assure, pressing my lips together to not laugh.

I choose an easy and quick recipe: two chocolates fondants, something I have done a million times, and that I never get tired of. I grab the recipe, even if I'm starting to know the recipe by heart, and I can catch sight of his piercing eyes lighting up at the various chocolate bars' picture on the cover of the thin book. Though when I open the book, his eyes turn wider in front of the lines of instructions, and I have to stifle the giggle threatening to escape my lips. He is still the baddest bad boy, and it's his birthday!

"First, we melt the chocolate with the butter. You can weigh the ingredients." I point at the scale.

I'm in my element and at ease. I don't even realize I'm giving orders to THE baddest bad boy, Alex Carter. Although he complies without a protest, doing it with application. He looks cute – not something I've thought I would say – with his concentrated face, his tongue even sticking out when he breaks the eggs.

"Since you've got big muscles, you're gonna–"

He looks up, and the sparkle of mischief in his eyes freezes my words.

"You think I have big muscles?" he asks with a smug smile, flexing his biceps.

I try to divert my gaze, feeling a familiar heat coming to my cheeks again, but it's hard as he keeps showing off the taut muscle.

"Stay focused. You have to beat the eggs with the sugar!" I try to insist, yet my voice sounding higher than usual is betraying me as much as my crimson cheeks.

"Okay... because you think I'm strong and muscular?" he insists as well, but with so much more confidence in his cocky grin.

"If you want..." I give in, shaking my head and hiding my smile.

What have I said?! I really have to keep my mouth shut, especially around him!

"Now, let's move on!" I give him the whisk, and indeed, he beats the eggs rapidly.

"And now, we just have to stir all the ingredients together." I grab the big bowl. "But smoothly," I add, showing him how to do it.

"I can be smooth too." He bores his gaze into mine, his eyes twinkling.

I'm just left speechless as I watch him mix the batter with an aerial softness. Each stroke of spoon is blending delicately the dark chocolate in the white mix to form a frothy brown mixture, and he is holding my gaze through it all. I can sense my insides melting, and once the preparation is fully mixed, my legs feel as fluffy as the batter.

I occupy my shaky hands searching for the baking pans, and I use this time to regulate my heart rate.

"And now, the most important step..." I finally look at him with a solemn expression, once the pans are all settled down, as well as my nerves. "We taste!" I finish with a sly smile, dipping my finger in the batter.

"So?" He stares at me, his gaze hanging on each feature of my face. It's so cute, yet unsettling at the same time.

I pretend to hesitate to tease him a little – that's only fair since I keep getting flustered around him – before I reply, "Mmmh... delicious!" I dive my finger in the batter again, smiling widely.

"Hey! Leave me some!" He dips his finger too, and once again the shine in his tenebrous eyes is the best compliment a cook could ask for.

We pour the batter into small baking pans, and he does it with the same application, a cute focused frown appearing on his eyebrows.

"And now, my secret little bonus: I add squares of white chocolate in the center. That's why it's called two chocolates fondants."

"You seem to have a lot of secret tricks?" He lifts an eyebrow as under, a twinkle is flashing in his dark eyes, lighting my cheeks with another red flare.

After having put the cakes in the oven, I grab the dishes to clean up a little, the less fun part of cooking.

"Let me help you." He takes the dishes in my hands, and his sweet gesture takes my breath away, or maybe it is the warm tingles that his fingers are creating on mine from the lightest brush.

It only lasts a few seconds, yet it requires me twice as much to shake it off and come back to the dishes.

When I grab the bowl where the batter has been, I can't resist the intense chocolate smell, so I sweep my finger along the remaining tracks of chocolatey mixture. Quickly I'm joined by another finger.

"Hey! Leave me some!"

"Uh oh, Miss Clumsy Cookie is not a sharer!" He raises his eyebrows, smirking. "But whose birthday it is today?" He narrows his eyes.

"Okay, you won!" I pout, giving him the bowl. I guess the Birthday Boy is always right.

"Here, take some!"

I don't have time to see it coming; a finger slides along my cheek, spreading the sticky batter generously. I blink my wide eyes to be sure it has really happened, but his devious smirk leaves no doubt.

"Hey!" I whine as I try to remove the brown mixture from my cheeks, and he watches me seemingly really satisfied, licking more chocolate from his lips.

The devilish glint might be inspiring me because I imitate his smirk. "No! You're right, it's your birthday today!"

I dip my finger in the pan of melted chocolate, well, the remainings of it, and I spread some across his cheeks and nose. His handsome face smeared with chocolate is something that would deserve a picture, and I can't help the snicker escaping my lips.

"Oh, no! You didn't?! You'll regret it!" he threatens me, his voice becoming deeper, yet his eyes still twinkling, as he puts the bowl down.

I swallow the jump of my heart, keeping my eyes on him like on a lion ready to attack. He slowly gets closer, and as any prey would do, I back away with each step he takes. Then, I start to run when he leaps to catch me. He hunts me down around the table, and the adrenaline running through my veins makes me feel light as much in my legs as in my head. We're both running and laughing.

However, Alex is faster than me, so he manages to catch me, grabbing me by the waist and turning me around. My racing heart stops when I face him, trapped between his strong body and the table, unable to move. 

My mouth is dry in front of the mischievous smile forming on his lips, and I follow his movements like a prey, waiting for my tragic doom. He reaches behind me to get the bowl, which is on the table, and as he leans closer, our faces end up inches away. This time my heart resumes its beating in loud, fast thumps, and I hear nothing else than this and our ragged pants in the resounding silence. The air around us is thick with something hot and electric, like the Law of attraction amplified. We stare at each other, my eyes fixed on his intense ones, while all my senses are deeply aware of his breath fanning over my face, over my lips... I swear I see them getting closer, my breath getting caught in my throat in anticipation.

'Beep... Beep'. We both jump in surprise, moving away awkwardly – well, mainly me, yet I think it's the first time I see him looking down.

The 'beep beep' sound keeps ringing in the silence until I finally realize that it's the alarm of the oven letting us know the fondants are cooked.

"Er... yes... we... we need to take the... cakes out... of the oven." I stumble over my words, my face hotter than the oven.

He clears his throat, scratching the back of his neck. "Yes, do you need help?"

"No, I'm fine." I rush to the oven, carefully avoiding his gaze, and I focus on the fondants, the delicious smell of chocolate filling the kitchen the moment I open the oven.

I take the cakes out, almost dropping them when I pass near Alex.

He chuckles. "Always clumsy..."

I smile shyly, still not daring to glance at him, and focusing my attention on the pastries instead.

"We need to remove them from the pan delicately." I show him how to do with one fondant. "Now, your turn."

"Um, I don't know... They seem really fragile..." He frowns, grabbing the pan.

The crease between his eyebrows only deepens as he removes a cake and crushes half of it in the process.

"You see..." He shakes his head.

"Let me help you." I put my hand on his, little sparks climbing up my arm, but I try to ignore them as I guide him to smoothly remove the fondant. "Here." He glances at me sideways, and I lose my breath. "Perfect..." I whisper, withdrawing my hand.

Lastly, I sprinkle some chocolate curls on the fondants, and I can feel his stare on the moves of my hands above the plate.

"Wow!" he breathes out the second I'm finished with the edible decoration.

"See, you did it!"

"You helped me!" He looks back at me.

"We did it together." I smile, finally holding his tenebrous gaze. "Now, let's try them!"

I give him a teaspoon, and I watch him as he dips it into the fondant. The light switching up in his dark eyes when the center flows in the plate is as mesmerizing as the black and white chocolate mingling in a beautiful marbled wave.

I take a bite too, the intense flavor, almost bitter, of dark chocolate, engulfing my taste buds, while the smoothness and sweetness of white chocolate wrap around, making a perfect unusual mix.

"Mmmh... it's sooo good!" he exclaims, with wide eyes.

"Yeah, delicious," I agree.

"It's fucking delicious!" he emphasizes with a wide grin.

"I need to take a pic, to keep a proof because I don't think they'll last long!" His eyes are sparkling as much as those of a kids on Christmas day – or in front of their birthday cake – as he takes out his phone.

"I can give you the recipe if you want?" I suggest between the flashes of his phone.

"I don't know if I can do it by myself. I'll need your help..." He smirks, putting his phone away and focusing his attention on my face, which I feel taking color steadily.

"I'll gladly teach you some other recipes if you want. But I think with this one, you'll do great by yourself. It's easy, you just have to follow the recipe." I smile, and I don't know if I'm dreading spending more time alone with him or eager for it. "It's way easier than this physics project!" I add.

He chuckles, nodding.

"Actually, there's a lot of physics laws in cooking." He cocks his head, his dark gaze becoming unfocused, yet focused at the same time, until he straightens up, his eyes flashing "Hey! That's an idea! We could make the link with cooking, using examples where the Law of attraction applies in recipes!"

"Yeah, it's a great idea!" I eye him, impressed and surprised again.

"Hey, Elena, by the way, thank you... it was the best gift," he tells me later, flashing me a heart-melting smile before climbing on his motorcycle.

"You're welcome." I smile and bite my lip, a warmth spreading in my stomach that is not from the digestion of the chocolate fondants, yet it feels as sweet.

I watch him drive away, waving at me, before he disappears in the distance.

Who else is hungry now? 

And what is yummier the fondants or the Birthday Boy? ;)

I hope you like this chapter :)

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I'm new here, so your help and feedbacks are more than welcome! :)