Chapter 8 #2
I watched him get into the truck, Dakota offering me a small head nod as he drove away, the two of them seeming to be back to talking, their faces serious.
I turned around and found Julian watching me, his hands in his pockets, with a warm, amused smirk.
I blushed as I looked up at Tore, his gaze on the truck instead, almost looking thoughtful.
I wasn’t positive what to say, because even I knew the interaction with Caedmon had been something.
I didn’t know what, but it was something.
My stomach rumbled loudly, and I nearly died of embarrassment.
The one time that had happened at home, Theresa had gotten upset, and Gerald was pissed.
His words were something about me being ‘ungrateful’ for the food I did have.
At the time, I’d been fourteen, and apologized immediately.
Over time I had stopped apologizing for that type of thing, knowing he was going to be mad either way.
“Food,” Julian immediately said, not even noticing how embarrassed I became as he grabbed my hand and gently led me towards a warmly lit diner nearby.
I arched my brows, looking over the almost retro restaurant that we entered, the space filled with bright blue and pink booths that matched the soft, happy music playing over the speakers.
I couldn’t help but relax, finding the place extremely appealing. It was probably why it was so crowded in here. I could feel eyes on us, but my gaze was instead pulled towards a girl my own age, if I had to guess, standing at a small podium, looking at us expectantly.
I had seen a lot of unique people today, but this woman was sort of impossible to not notice, considering she had legitimate blood-red hair.
It wasn’t a ‘natural’ shade, but I think, like my own, it was natural to her.
It fell in a straight veil down to her hips, where her hands were placed, staring at us with curiosity.
Well, at me with curiosity. I normally would have been intimidated by such a direct gaze, but instead I offered her a friendly smile.
“Table for three,” Tore said, his voice rough.
The woman’s gaze moved up to Tore before she nodded, grabbing three plastic menus and leading us towards a booth.
As I slid into one of the pink leather-like seats, I met her copper gaze that had an almost sad look in it.
I don’t think it had to do with us, not exactly, but there was something about seeing us that made her sad.
I was tempted to ask, but I had never tried to actively make a friend, so I had a feeling it would go poorly.
I was glad, though, that she seemed to have no interest in Julian or Tore, which was more than I could say for other people here. I could feel their eyes on us.
“Your server will be right with you.” She flashed a small, sad smile before walking away, leaving the menus stacked at the end of the table.
I found myself wanting to comfort her but quickly removed that thought, knowing even in my small social interaction, that most people didn’t react well to comfort.
I mean, look at Theresa. Even when Gerald had busted her lip and I had tried to help her clean it, it had gotten me slapped. I still couldn’t fathom why.
“What are you in the mood for, preciosa?” Julian asked, pulling me from my thoughts as he handed me a menu. I put my bag on the table, and I watched with a bit of fondness as Tore slid it towards himself, taking out the snow globe and setting it on the table, seemingly very curious about it.
I wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but I didn’t want him to think I didn’t like his attention on it—he could touch any of my stuff. It oddly left me with a really satisfied feeling, knowing his imprint would be on it in some way.
“Probably something sweet,” I answered as my eyes flickered over a picture of a truly massive cinnamon roll that they were featuring. I closed my menu and offered Julian a smile as he watched me with objective amusement.
“You know those are like the size of your head, right?” Julian teased.
“Good, she needs to eat more,” Tore rumbled as I blushed slightly.
“We could share it if you want,” I pointed out to Julian.
His eyes lit up. “Yeah? I’m not sure how I feel about sharing something so sweet.”
Tore let out an amused huff before getting up. I was distracted enough, confused as he left the snow globe on the table and walked towards the door, that I didn’t realize how much closer Julian had gotten. My breath caught as he drew my chin back, my eyelids growing heavy as lust surged through me.
I wanted to ask him where Tore had gone, but the minute we were alone again, the energy between us seemed to grow darker and more heated.
I felt flushed as his magic tightened around me.
I had the urge to poke and prod his wolf, but honestly, I wasn’t positive I could do anything but stare up at him right now.
“I suppose I could be convinced to share,” he mused with a wicked glint in his eyes. “As long as I got as much sweetness as I wanted. Whenever I wanted it.”
Okay, I didn’t know what we were talking about, but it wasn’t the cinnamon roll.
“You can have as much as you want,” I offered, my throat dry and skin breaking out into shivers.
A rumble broke from his throat, and I felt his wolf roll under his skin, wanting to break out, as his thumb brushed across my bottom lip softly.
My eyes darted down to his lips, wanting to know what it would feel like to have them pressed to mine.
My skin. I had never wanted that before.
I’d never been kissed before. Julian made me want all of that though.
Pulling me closer to him, his other hand came around the back of my neck, his fingers brushing my bite mark.
I let out a small whimper as I literally shuddered, the feeling of his touch there sparking an electric heat through my entire body.
My center tightened and my eyes nearly closed, not understanding why that specific touch affected me so much.
I felt a whine break from my throat as he continued his hypnotic pattern, his lips hesitating over mine, where his thumb was still placed. My tongue darted out, grazing his skin, and any of the lightheartedness disappeared as he let out a low growl, a wild energy brushing across my skin.
Was that what he was hiding? How much more was he hiding? I needed to know. I also needed to know how to ask him for what I wanted. I wanted his lips on me. I wanted him to touch me more. My pulse was going skyrocket, and I was authentically feeling dizzy.
“Careful with that tongue, Effie.”
“Why?” I breathed out, my voice trembling.
“Because I have a lot of other uses for it, and if you keep doing that I’m going to show you,” he purred, his voice edged with a level of dominance I found myself wanting to bare my neck for.
I whimpered as his thumb pulled slightly on my bottom lip before he gently brushed our lips together.
It was barely a touch, but it had everything inside of me sighing with contentment.
I still was fighting the urge to not crawl into his lap, but the relief at his touch was almost instantaneous.
This felt right… everything about Julian felt right. How was that possible?
Someone cleared their throat, and we both looked up to find an older man, dressed in a neat white shirt with the same logo as the girl up front, offering us a small, understanding smile.
I blushed and sank against Julian as he ordered for us.
Something that I was thankful for, because holy crap, I could not focus on anything but Julian and that kiss.
Also, where had Tore gone? Seriously, he had just disappeared.
My tongue darted out to taste the very faint taste of Julian on my lips.
Had that been my first kiss? Of course it had been, right?
That counted! Maybe we needed a longer one just so I could confirm that it truly counted.
The door rang, the bells above chiming, as my gaze darted over to find Tore strolling back in.
Snow covered his hair, and his bright eyes scanned both of us, narrowing on Julian and making me wonder if he knew about us kissing.
Would he care? Why would he care, that was ridiculous.
I looked at the large bag he was holding as he slid into the booth, pulling me a bit from the haze that was Julian.
Julian, who was back to his upbeat self, any intensity hidden again. How did he do that?
“Where did you go?” I asked Tore, fighting the urge to ask him what was in the bag. His ears turned red slightly as he swallowed.
“I forgot something.”
Oh.
Before I could question his purchase, the server returned, setting down three plates of food in what felt like record time.
My cinnamon roll was, in fact, massive, and I smiled, looking at both of the boys’ plates.
Theirs consisted of burgers with fries that I considered asking for… no, that would be rude.
Instead, I grabbed my silverware and began cutting up pieces of the masterpiece in front of me. I let out a small moan, popping the sugary concoction in my mouth, as taste exploded on my tongue.
Holy crap. This was officially the best thing I’d ever eaten. Not that I had been given a lot of great food before. I suppose it wasn’t that hard to impress me, but this still took the cake.
“Fuck,” Tore growled as I looked up at him in confusion.
He grunted, looking down at his plate, as I considered asking him why he looked suddenly frustrated.
Unfortunately, before I could do that, something caught my attention.
My fork froze on its way to my mouth as the door gave way to a few fairly large men, making my entire frame go cold.