“Then no, I’m not leaving yet.” Without awaiting my response, or explaining his, Severin saunters through the bar crowd, back to where Emett is still engrossed in his coloring.
“I’d say caveman but there are ambitious plans to take up the other position as well,” Liam quips helpfully from the side.
I let out a heavy sigh, once again ignoring my friend because I have enough to deal with and take the drinks to the patrons.
The only problem…I can’t ignore Severin’s eyes on me. I look over my shoulder and find them locked in on me and my heart does that weird thump again.
The one where we can’t figure out if we should run away or run to him.
SEVERIN
Everything felt right. From the moment I stepped into Blade’s, the tightness in my chest disappeared. It wasn’t gradual or slowly easing. No, it was all at once as soon as my eyes landed on Aurora and Emett. On his bright, innocent smile. On the million shades of Aurora’s sun-kissed blonde hair tossed in a haphazard ponytail that gave me all kinds of bad, filthy bad, ideas.
They were safe. I could see them and by all means, I should’ve left after confirming it. Instead, I saw another man laughing with them, standing too close and feeling way too familiar and lost all semblance of control.
Not that I seem to have any around the woman.
I know there’s more below the surface. I know there’s darkness, there are secrets, but with every second I spend in her presence, I question it. I wonder…
“Mr. Brick, you’re getting out of line,” Emett’s voice snaps me out of my wayward thoughts. “Look, your red is way off from the apple!” He points at the picture we’re coloring.
I’m getting way out of line in more than just this picture, little man.
“I’m sorry, bud, I promise I’ll do better next time.” I fix my eyes back on the coloring page, instead of his mom’s ass.
“Hey, do you want something to eat?” I ask, realizing we’ve been here for some time now. “I’ll order some food.” I raise my hand to flag that fucker, Liam, from the other side of the bar when Emett stops me.
“I don’t like any food here.”
“You don’t?”
“Nope. It smells funny,” he adds without looking up from the picture, and I frown because from what my nose could sniff around, it smells heavenly.
“All right, I guess we won’t order anything.” I’m hungry but I’ll just wait to grab something later.
“Don’t worry, I’ll feed you at home. Mom made the best noodle soup ever.”
I stop, my eyes slowly lifting to watch this little boy who’s still way too concentrated on his drawing and a small smile creeps onto my face as realization sets in.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the food here.
But do I call him out on his little plan? No. Why? Because apparently, I’m a masochist. So, instead, I pick up another color and go back to drawing.
“Okay, honey, I’m all done,” Aurora says, taking off the black apron she’s wearing.
“Perfect timing!” Emett grins. “We just finished the last placemat.” He holds up all ten we’ve colored in the last hour or so.
“Wow, that’s a lot coloring.”
“Yeah, turns out, Mr. Brick needed a whole lot of practice.”
I let out a chuckle. “I guess I did.”
“It’s okay.” Emett pats my arm. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’ll give you some more to practice on when we get home.”
“Okay,” Aurora says with a small laugh. “You’ve already monopolized Severin’s time enough. I’m sure he has places to be.”
“Yes, he does, I already invited him over to our house for dinner.”
