His markings pulse a little.
“It doesn’t erase what happened, what you all did still happened, but each day it gets easier.” I step a little closer. “The more time I spend with you, the more I see the real you…”
“So… there’s still a chance?” His blinding gaze pins me, desperation burning there.
I know he’s holding himself back, that the only reason his hands are shoved into his pockets is because he wants to reach for me but doesn’t think he can.
I smile softly. “Depends how good this coffee is. Come on, I haven’t had one yet.”
That lie is worth it just to see his smile, a single dimple breaking through, markings erupting all at once, as he finally pulls out his hand, holding it towards me.
I take it.
Chapter 18: Sai
Stay cool. Stay fucking cool.
I stand behind Red as she looks up at the massive board of drinks. Half of them sound made up—a matcha macchiato? Sounds like a torture technique.
And I’m still so knackered from last night.
When things went to shit, Zeek arrived like a freaking angel, throwing out a wall of light so big it chewed away some of Julien’s darkness. Somehow, it even got him to sleep.
I spent the rest of the night with the big guy. Kane didn’t want to leave, but I shoved him off, because someone had to keep hunting for our old pal Prospero.
Now I’m running on fumes and nerves, bouncing on my toes to stay awake.
And why am I so fucking nervous?
I’ve spent time with Red alone, this isn’t new. Those times are permanently tattooed on my brain, those delicious, lewd, hot…
I shake my head.
Donot get a boner here, Sai. Don’t you dare.
But fuck, I am nervous. This is a date. Red agreed to go on a date with me.
If the other person doesn’t know it’s a date, does it still count?
Yeah. Yeah, it does.
And I can’t fucking wait to drop this in the group chat, anything to wind those bastards up.
I snap a quick pic of Red while she’s still staring up, her long red curls swaying as she studies everything, the ends almost brushing her ass.
An ass I’ve touched.
A perfect ass I’ve had my hands all over,gripped tight as I ground her against my hard co—
“Coconut latte or vanilla macchiato?”
I’ve no idea what the fuck she’s just said.
Thank fuck she hasn’t turned around, or she’d see what I was really thinking about.
“Both?” I say, hoping that’s a good enough answer. My hand slips into my pocket to adjust the hard-on I’ve just given myself.
She huffs, still facing the menu. “I can’t get both, that’s caffeine overload. What are you getting?”
