1. Felix #4
Dream’s smile grew at my response. “A wild rabbit.” She yanked free from my grasp before spinning away from me, both her hair and that fucking scent of hers smacking me in the face.
Her head shot back, and she looked at me over her shoulder.
A giant smile on her face as she blinked. It made my heart flutter.
“So,” she chirped as she approached the shoes she kept by the entryway. Her body leaned forward as she spotted my boots and turned to look at me. “Was it the door?”
My brows furrowed at her odd question. “The…door?” I wasn’t sure what she was asking.
She crossed her arms, playing with a strand of her hair.
“The door. It was unlocked, wasn’t it?” I didn’t answer.
“That’s what enticed you to come inside, right?
” She began to walk back toward me, taking each step on the tips of her toes like a dancer.
“You noticed I left it unlocked and just had to make sure I was safe all by my lonesome.” She stopped a few inches from me, twirling her hair.
Her eyes raised to meet mine and a sparkle flicker behind them.
Say something…anything. Fuck, just open your mouth!
Before I could even attempt to spit the words out, Dream raised up onto her tippy toes and touched either side of my face with her hands. Even with her height, she was still a bit shorter than me, but feeling her body against mine made my heart stall as I held my breath.
Dream ran her nails along the material of my mask, gasping softly to herself. “Those eyes…I recognize them.” Her focus lifted as I locked my gaze with hers. “It’s you,” she breathed.
I nearly fainted at the way she expressed herself but quickly tried to regain my composure.
I reached out, carefully wrapping my fingers along her wrists to remove her hands.
“I-I’ll just—” I stepped back, letting her go as I briskly rushed past and grabbed my boots.
I reached for the door when her next question stopped me dead in my tracks.
“I saw you that night…at the club.”
I didn’t move or even dare look back at her.
“Your eyes,” she whispered. “I remember them…their color.” I turned my head to see her standing a little closer.
“Like two raw emeralds, basking in the sun on a hot summer’s day.
” She stepped closer, her feet silent as she moved.
“Waiting for someone to stumble upon such rare treasures.” Dream reached toward my face again, but I instinctively flinched, catching her off guard.
“I never imagined you were the one watching me…I guess I am crazy.” The corner of her lips raised slightly as her eyes began to water.
I let go of the doorknob, feeling uneasy seeing her like that. Anger toward myself built behind my ribs as I realized it was my fault she was upset. “You’re not crazy,” I whispered back.
Dream’s smile returned and she wiped her eyes. She took a deep breath and exhaled, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “So…” She cleared her throat. “Want to go on a date?”
I blinked, completely thrown. “I’m sorry…what?”
“A date.” She repeated her question.
Maybe I’m the crazy one.
Dream tilted her head. “What? Not used to girls picking you up?” she teased. I didn’t answer, still stunned. “Look, obviously you have some interest in me if you’ve decided to stalk me and break into my home.”
“I—wait…you know?” She pressed her lips together, fighting a smile. “How…how? I—”
She tried not to laugh. “What? You think I didn’t know?
Didn’t notice the small trail of cigarette smoke from the alley across the street every night?
Or the man with the vibrant green eyes burning holes into my flesh while I worked my sets at the club?
” She stepped closer. “Or the sudden feeling of being watched almost every minute of every day? That heavy feeling of someone’s eyes weighing down on me…
Oh, yeah…I know exactly what you’ve been doing. ”
I finally found the strength to speak. “But, if you’ve known…why ask me on a date?” I was still feeling dumbfounded.
“Because, you obviously like what you see.” She grinned, biting her lower lip. “And from what I can see myself, so do I.” My heart fluttered at her words. “Meet me here, tomorrow.”
Dream walked past me, smiling wide as she unlocked and opened the front door. I stepped forward, walking out onto the concrete stoop outside the entry, then turned back toward her. “What time?” I asked, still shocked.
“Don’t play dumb. You know my schedule. Besides, I’m sure a man such as yourself can easily figure out my number?” I nodded without thinking. Her cheeks flushed slightly, turning a delicate rose hue. “Good. Sweet dreams, soldier boy.”
Soldier boy?
“Why would you call me that?” I sheepishly asked.
She pointed to my mask and giggled. I stood there until she closed the door, and the sound of the lock clicked immediately after.
I stared at her apartment, feeling an enormous rush of emotions, all raging through my body and flooding my mind. But the thing I focused on most was the fact she had invited me out on a date.
I smiled beneath the mask. “Sweet dreams, cottontail.”
I’ll see you tomorrow.