Oh yes, he does work with his father.
“But still…” I trail off when he smoothly leans down, and before I can comprehend, he’s cut me off by pressing his lips lightly against mine. My entire body tingles, my heart pounding.
Gods…
“There, now we’re even. I’ve collected my payment,” he murmurs against my lips.
I can’t move, even as he moves back and begins browsing the jewellery, picking up a few items, whilst all I can do is stand here and stare at him, light-headed and a mushy mess.
How can he be so incredibly charming and have me completely smitten by just one gesture?
“Do you want anything else?” he asks as the woman packs up the items he’s purchased.
“No, thank you, this is more than enough,” I answer with a smile, watching as he pays. He picks up the bag, thanking the lady before he takes my hand and leads me out.
We leave the shop, stepping out into the cool air. I can feel his gaze on me and glance over at him. Our eyes meet, and I tilt my head. “So, when did you… start noticing me?” I ask.
He cocks a brow. “You’re pretty straightforward.”
I nod. “At times I can be, but I remember at a conference some years back, I accidentally asked you to dance with me, and you were really mean. You said, and I quote, ‘you’re not my type’,” I finish, imitating his tone. “So, it had to be sometime after that, or then again… maybe much more recently?”
I’m confused now. He’s always been cold, so what changed?
“Na… It’s been some time. Yeah, back then, you would chat with Renji and were all smiles, and I knew when you asked me that you mistook me for Renji, so that annoyed me,” he admitsgrimly, not looking at me.
“So, was that jealousy, then?” I whisper innocently, poking his arm to make him look at me. He narrows his eyes as I try to soothe my jittery nerves at the idea of him being jealous because of me.
“No.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I found you annoying. You always demanded attention, and I hated that because you were a distraction.”
Nope, he doesn’t sound convincing at all.
I giggle. “I didn’t demand attention. I don’t think most people even noticed me. You were just annoyed at yourself because I stole your attention, and you didn’t know how to process that,” I reply, snidely.
He scoffs, but I can see the tiny smirk on his lips. “Ah, there’s that straight-A smartass.” He pokes his finger in my dimple.
I blush. “You didn’t deny it. I did notice that when Renji talked to me, you were pretty mean to him, but I always thought it was because I annoyed you and you didn’t want him near me. I never once thought it would be because the future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack had a crush on me,” I tease, waiting for him to deny it. But he doesn’t and simply looks at me with an annoyed expression, but his lack of words speaks far louder.
He didn’t deny it… gods.
“You had a crush on me…” I state in awe as it really hits me. “Wow…”
He shakes his head, and I laugh out loud. “Alright, you’re finding that funny?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. But I can’t help it; somehow, that statement is like a breath of fresh air. Abeautiful, refreshing breath of fresh air. But he isn’t enjoying the laughter at his expense, because he turns suddenly, wrapping one arm around my shoulders from behind as he tickles my waist and stomach.
I let out a shriek, giggling as I wriggle in his hold while he continues to tickle me. “I’m sorry! I’m- ah!” I burst into more laughter. “Ok, I’m sorry!”
He only stops when I need air, his hand flattening on my stomach as he caresses it slowly, and I realise just how we’re both pressed together. I swallow, my mouth dry, and I’m still on edge, half expecting him to tickle me again. I breathe heavily, trying to get my breath back, my core throbbing at the way his fingers are lightly brushing across my stomach, the way he’s pressed against me.
“Sorry…” I whisper, turning to look up at him, our noses inches apart, my heart beating as my smile slowly fades away, and I gaze into his gorgeous, green eyes.
It’s just us. The world has fallen silent, save for the beating of his heart that sounds like a soothing drum. “For what it’s worth… you were my first crush, too.”
There’s a silent questioning in his eyes.Then, where did Seth come in?He knows! I had a feeling he would have clicked, but that’s just been confirmed.
I look around. I won’t be able to say anything when I’m pressed up against him like this, and his eyes are burning into me.
