Chapter 17. Almost Kissed

Iris looked down with horror at a grinning Nicholas climbing up to her balcony deftly like a monkey. He jumped silently onto the little space beside her and released the rope. Iris caught his hand and pulled him into her room in a panic.

"What are you doing here?" she whispered with wide eyes.

"I came to see if you're alive or not," he gave a goofy grin, scratching his head.

"Of course, I'd be alive. What's wrong with you?" she said, checking his forehead and cheeks.

"Your dad caught you, didn't he? Did he blast you?" he asked, unconsciously catching her hand that touched his face.

Iris looked down at her feet. How could she tell him what her dad said? It would break his heart. "Tell me, Iris? I know he hates me. I know I'm a bad influence upon you," he whispered, placing her hand on his chest, his other hand resting on her bare arm. His eyes took in her tiny pajama shorts that exposed her creamy legs. He wanted to run his fingers along their cr