He squeezes my fingers, using his thumb to caress them. “I still don’t like it. There’s been something about her from the start.” Another growl-like sound has him take a deep breath to collect himself. I rarely see him so worked up and knowing that I am the reason for it does funny things to my insides.
Glancing up at him is a mistake I regret immediately. Because the calm, level-headed man I am used to is nowhere to be seen. Instead of him, I am faced with slanted eyebrows and a tense jaw, with eyes that implore me to stay. Every fiber of me screams to comply—I can’t explain it. It’s like something has triggered inside me, compelling me to do what he asks so he can return to normal, to being in control and keeping me safe.
It almost feels like we’ve developed an invisible connection, a link that ties only us. He’d do anything for me and so would I for him. It’s an urge that’s really hard to fight the longer I gaze into his eyes. I see his soul there, in its rawness, and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed. It’s selfish, it wishes to monopolize me, to lock me up and worship me. We are true soul mates, there is no doubt left in my mind, just like I knew it all along.
“You are really contradicting yourself, you know,” I say playfully, adjusting my collar as a sudden bout of heat crosses through me. “You keep acting all possessive daddy with me, but insist you aren’t into it.”
“I am not—”
I raise my finger and wave it. “Nuh-uh. Just look at the mirror above the shelf behind you.”
My words seem to hit a nail, because in the next moment he’s retracted his hand and schooled his expression into the resting scowl I know and love. As much as I hate to see his mesmerizing vulnerability go, this is better for both of us. Another minute of his soulful pleading eyes and I don’t think I’d have been able to leave this bar even if someone promised to donate a hundred million to my Foundation for Endangered Reptilians.
Aran is the one who helped me set it up last year, so he’s technically my co-founder. So far, we’ve been able to help the organization that looks after the Galapagos Pink Iguana by funding their research and conservation efforts.
“I worry about you. Just… be careful. And try not to get into trouble until I find you.”
Nodding, I slurp the last drops of my drink and hand him the empty glass. The ice clinks inside it as our fingers touch and linger together for a heartbeat. Then he plasters on a fake smile and turns to Mrs. Lynx.
“Would you like a refill, Mrs. Lynx?” he asks, just as her attention returns to us.
Her eyes study him first before moving onto me. They’re even bluer under the generous light from the chandeliers above us, sparkly too, like she already has a buzz going. I steal a peek at Aran.
Was it his doing?
I swear his upper lip trembles with a hint of a smile that’s meant only for me to catch. Shit, I’m dead. His morally questionable inclinations are sexy as hell.
“No thank you, Mong, dear.” She steps toward me and offers me her arm, which I take. We head into the crowd, but then pause almost immediately as she turns back to Aran and taps the fingers of her free hand against her chin. “Actually, can I get you to bring a tray worth of the drink you made for me to the room at the end of the hallway on the second floor? The one with the golden plate that says ‘Skellig’. Let’s say in about half an hour?”
I don’t dare look at Aran so I don’t grin like an idiot. But this is good, isn’t it? This Skellig room must be where Mrs. Lynx and I are going, and if ‘Mong’ is bringing the drinks, then Aran and I have nothing to worry about, right?
“Of course, Mrs. Lynx. I’ll get started on them right away.”
We’re already walking away before he finishes saying that. After we pass an archway decorated with ivy and roses, she leads me to a less crowded part of the room where a short climb up ornate stairs takes us to a bookshelf with a reading nook attached to it. “Wait here for me. I’ll be five minutes.”
“By the way…” I plop onto the comfy armchair and grab a random book. “About that thing Eleanor and you talked about after the party the other night…”
She leans her hip against the marble railing and looks at me as if I have grown horns. “Which thing, dear?”
So, I guess she won’t make this easy. Fine, I can play this game, too. “A holiday, after the cruise. We got talking at the party and it turned out we both wanted to go to this theme park. Katy is also interested.”
Mrs. Lynx’s gaze is blank for a while, but eventually she smiles. “Of course.” She waves me away. “Eleanor sounded very excited. She’s got a few things to sort out for me, but she can take some time off after that.” For a long minute, she studies my face as if looking for something, but I maintain a friendly smile. “Sorry I didn’t let you know, dear. It must have slipped my mind.”
This confirms that Eleanor didn’t talk to her. “No problem, Mrs. Lynx. I’ll just get her phone number next time I see her, so we don’t waste your time with this. Uh, on that note, could you maybe tell her to meet me during her lunch break at the taco place?”
“Ah. Don’t worry about it. She’s been very busy and might not have time to step out, but, well, I’m always happy to chat with you.” She pats me on the head in that way Aran does, her fingers lingering in my hair and pulling gently.
It takes me everything to suppress my knee-jerk reaction. I don’t know where it came from, or why, but I suddenly want her hands off me and not just because she’s hedging like a pro.
Luckily, the noise from the crowd downstairs seems to remind her that she still has guests to greet, so she lets go of me quickly enough. “I’ll see you shortly. Be a good boy and wait for me here.”
My body shakes violently and I have to hold onto the armrests as the shivers get so bad my head spins. I’m confused at my own reaction, but there was just something about the way she said it and how she was looking at me. Maybe I am overreacting because of what Aran said earlier, or maybe I’ve just reached my limit of being around people.
Either way, I hope that when tonight is over, we’ll have what we came for, or, at the very least, we’ll be very close to obtaining it.
Because, if I am being honest, I’m ready to go home, close this chapter of my life, and make things between me and Aran legally binding.
27
