“Addie.” Cheriour touched the back of my right hand, stilling my fidgeting. “I apologize for upsetting you.”
I scoffed. “Upsetting me? That kiss was amazing.”
“I’m not talking about that.”
“Ah.” I kept my gaze focused on the bandage, which blurred as my eyes watered. “Well, it’s no biggie. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve been upset.”
“This was different. I saw it in your eyes. But I won’t say any more about it.”
I nodded but didn’t look at him. Tears turned my vision into a blurred kaleidoscope.
My freaking hormones were going ape-shit. Was I due for my period? Had to be. I was likely a few daysoverdueat this point (trauma wreaked havoc on the body).
Cheriour slowly, tentatively, threaded his fingers through mine. His hand was burning hot, but I liked the warmth. And comfort. Especially when he ran his thumb over my knuckles. It made my stomach flip-flop.
But a dark, bitter sense of dread also curled around my gut.
I was getting pretty dang attached. And it was happening way too fast. “Jesus. It’s only been a month,” I scoffed.
“What?”
“It’s only been a month. I’ve dated guys forsixmonths and didn’t get attached. The ones that made it beyond six months are a different story. But still,” I swallowed when his hand clenched around mine, “it’s not even like you’re some drop-dead gorgeous hunk of a model that’s got my panties twisted. Not that you’renotgood-looking. I didn’t mean that to sound rude.”
He didn’t look offended though.
So I kept going.
“But you’re not my type. At all. If I lined you up with my exes, you’d look like some redneck mountain man who crawled out of the woods and wandered into an upscale business park. I like guys in suits. Don’t judge me.” I added when Cheriour made a weird snorting noise. “And I’m really not trying to insult you. I’m…frustrated.” Definitelysexuallyfrustrated. Har, har. “And I don’t understand why, after only a month, it seems like-like…fuck, I dunno. Like we…” I pulled my hand away from his. “We kinda went like this.” I clapped my palms together. “Y’know? Like two magnets.”
Cheriour’s snort turned into a low laugh.
“I’m so glad you find humor in me trying to express myself.” I grinned.
Cheriour grasped my hand again. “I thought I was alone in what you described.”
“Oh no, you too? And I’m gonna guess you’re not PMSing right now, huh?”
He said nothing. Just stared up at the trees, tracing his thumb over my knuckles.
“Didn’t think so. But I always figured you found me annoying. Most people do.”
He stayed silent for a moment longer before whispering, “Sometimes I wish you’d take more care with what you say. But I’ve never found you annoying. I…understandyou.”
“Huh?”
His lips twisted. “I’m not good at casual conversation. I find it infuriating.” The words oozed off his tongue like molasses. Iitchedto dive in and help him, but I didn’t. I bit my lip, held my breath, and stayed still, letting him sort his thoughts out.
“It always seems to me that each person speaks in multiple languages,” he continued. “Their words say one thing, their body says another, and I’m meant to combine them to discern the truth. I often can’t. And it’s exhausting.” He shifted his hand and rubbed the heel of my palm. “But you speak openly.Freely.I don’t have to struggle to understand. Ienjoylistening to you.”
Oh. My. God.
That almost sounded like a love confession. Right?Right??Or was I losing my mind?
My emotions ricocheted all over the spectrum. I was scared. Excited. Heartbroken. Horny as fuck. Embarrassed. And I had the warm fuzzies. All at once.
I stared at Cheriour’s bandages, although I couldn’t see them. Not while I was having this allergic reaction to emotion. (aka, crying).
“Addie?” Cheriour prodded.
