A knocking rings out against my door very loudly to remind me of the fact everything can be heard from this room, and I sluggishly drag my feet to answer it. I’m sure it’s my new roomy, and I only hope the girl isn’t annoying.
I gasp slightly as I swing open the door to see Hale.
“Already?” I grouse.
He smirks lightly while laughing under his breath, and then he hands me a phone, keys, and a gift wrapped box before pulling out a bag full of food.
“House warming gift?” I joke.
“I thought you might be hungry, and you left your keys in the car you high jacked. You need a phone so you can call us if you need us. I have Wendy looking into moving you up to my floor. I don’t want you staying down here.”
“I’d rather stay down here. It’s quieter, and you’re not right next door,” I snark.
“I want you to stay with me, baby,” he smolders out, and his hands slip around my waist to try and force me to forget I’m mad at him.
“Captain Banner, you’re not going to get anywhere with me,” I playfully snark.
“Don’t start calling me Captain Banner again,” he exasperates.
“I think it’s appropriate. You and Captain Mordel are my superiors, and with all the United coming in, I feel as though it would be the most professional way to refer to you both.”
He grumbles under his breath, and then he jerks me to his body.
“I don’t ever want anything between us to be appropriate. Araya, I fucking love you more than I can ever explain, and I’ve been dying without you. Please don’t ice me out right now. I can’t take it anymore,” he pleads, and then his lips threaten mine when they almost touch.
“Then I suppose you shouldn’t have lied to me for five years, Captain,” I scoff while ripping free from his incredible touch.
He sighs in defeat, and then he sits down on the couch which will later be my bed.
“Will you at least open the present I got you?”
“Is this my late birthday present?” I retort.
“No, this is a gift you’ll need for tonight. I’ll give you your birthday presents another time.”
I wasn’t expecting him to actually have me a birthday present. I huff out my frustration as I unwrap the shiny red paper hiding a crisp, white box beneath. I smirk as I pull out a sensational hybrid blue dress designed to be seductive.
“I assumed you would need a dress considering it’s a formal event, and I wanted to buy you something.”
“It’s beautiful, though it might draw a little more attention my way than I’m willing to endure,” I murmur while staring at the very racy style.
Its shimmery surface has see-through patches around the breasts, over the stomach, and there’s a slanted area that will almost show a little too much of my lower half. The short style is cut at an angle, and the strapless design dips to reveal my cleavage. I’m questioning his intentions at this point, and I look up to see his devilish smirk.
“I’ve never known you to be shy, Araya,” he seduces, and I stifle my own grin.
“I’m not when I want someone to see me. I am when I’m trying to lie low,” I play, and his grin only grows.
“You wore your bikini bottoms for the very long trip. Are you admitting you might have been enticing me?” he smolders out, and he rises up to steeple his hands in front of his face.
Oh fuck. He’s turned on.
“No,” I lie.
I’m not sure what the hell I’m doing to be honest. I’m in love with both of them, but they both royally fucked me over. I can’t deal with this shit… but… it’s Hale.
“You will look phenomenal, and there’s no reason to hide your incredible body more than necessary. You’re hybrid, and you’re perfect.”
“Far from,” I scoff. “I’m definitely hybrid, but perfection is a goal I don’t even strive for, considering it’s impossible.”
