the zodiac project. jsp

chapter 15

James

James felt like he was dreaming. Living someone else's life. Ever since their confessions on Tuesday, he and Allie had been inseparable. Project be damned, he could not get enough of her.

James had always been enraptured by her ambition and drive, her cool head and sharp tongue, but now he was utterly obsessed. He'd finally gotten to smell the lavender and vanilla on her skin. The two still met up in the library after dinner, but now James got to see Allie before then, too.

Sure, he'd been walking her to class everyday, but this was different. They hadn't announced anything yet, neither wanted to, but they both knew, and that was enough. James didn't hold her hand in the halls, but he walked close enough that their arms were connected shoulder to wrist. That was enough.

She had even let him pull her into a few hidden alcoves for some alone time. Allison was an excellent kisser, and if James could ditch all of his classes just to snog her, he would. Gladly. But Allie would never let him let her miss class.

It had been four days since they promised to navigate their new relationship together, and they were doing just that. James grabbed Allie's elbow slyly as they made their way to the Great Hall for lunch and the pair stumbled into a passageway hidden behind a tapestry. It was a personal favorite of James's, discovered courtesy of the Map.

Allie giggled as she fell on top of James, who had spun his back into a wall. James didn't think he would ever get used to the sound. The tapestry fluttered shut, leaving them in the dark save for the light that peaked around the edges of the fabric. He could still make out the wicked glint in her brown eyes as she pressed against him.

He smiled. Allie slid a hand through his dark hair and brought his mouth down to hers. James groaned into her mouth. She nipped at his lip.

James hadn't been sure how Allison's behavior would change after they'd revealed their feelings, but she was perfect. Still her calculating, sarcastic self, he'd also gotten more glances at her soft side. Allie had always given him great advice when he was in need of it, he once said he would never tire of learning from her, but now her wise words were free flowing. He figured that must be her love language, because Allison Nicoletti knew just what to say to calm his tumultuous heart.

She also knew how to drive him wild.

She tugged at his hair harder, sliding her other hand across his bicep. Allie had discovered her love for his arms during one of their other... run ins, and now she let him know how she felt about them frequently.

James wrapped a hand around her neck, thumbing at the spot it connected to her jaw. James loved her neck and collarbones. His other hand was on her waist, her robe pushed halfway off her shoulders. She pulled away before it could make it to the floor, swiping her thumb across James's lower lip and then stepping away.

James whined. Allie just laughed.

"Aren't you hungry?" she asked, fixing her hair. He also loved to tug on her curls. Hard. James reached for her again.

"Yes. For you."

He pulled her back into his chest. Allie laughed and pushed him. He let her go. She straightened his tie for him.

"Allie."

"James."

He grinned. "I planned a surprise for us." Her eyes lit up.

"Did you now?" she raised her eyebrow. James smirked down at her.

"Yes, I did. So clear your schedule on Saturday night and meet me outside of the Great Hall after dinner." He stole a kiss, smiling into her lips. "It's gonna be fun."

She grinned. "I know it will be. Let's go to lunch." The pair checked the hallway before stepping out carefully. They looked at each other and laughed. James started whistling as they made their way to the Great Hall.

"Yep, nothing to see here! We were definitely not just snogging behind the tapestry. Never!" he said clownishly. Allie laughed and he smiled his dimpled smile. Merlin, that laugh.

"Shut up, Potter."