Still…
“She didn’t seem to reciprocate your sentiments when she ran out of here,” he pointed out, only to have Baikal laugh.
“Oh, she and I feel exactly the same about the exact same thing, actually.”
Why did Rabbit get the feeling he was missing out on some private joke?
Chapter 3:
When he’d overheard Rabbit telling his friend he was considering the marriage match, Baikal had just about lost it. He’d stood, ready to give the other man a piece of his mind, only to catch himself at the last second when he recalled…they didn’t know one another.
Sure, he knew Rabbit Trace, but that didn’t mean Rabbit knew him in return.
More importantly, Rabbit didn’t know that Baikal was his owner.
But he’d learn.
Soon.
Just, maybe not tonight.
Unable to contain himself entirely, he’d bumped into Rabbit at the exact moment he’d gotten up from the table, ensuring both of their lunch trays had clattered to the floor and the attention of the entire cafeteria had been instantly on them. He’d been curious what Rabbit’s expression would be when their eyes met.
It’d been clear he’d recognized who Baikal was, but that was the extent of things. If he’d gotten the same overwhelming sensation of need that had gripped Kal when he’d first laid eyes on Rabbit on that stage a year ago, there were no signs of it.
Admittedly, part of him was pissed off about that. But the other part understood. Rabbit and Baikal were very different people. He couldn’t expect him to have the same instantaneous reaction that he’d had. That wouldn’t be fair, and considering all the other unfair things he planned to eventually do to the other man, the least Baikal could be in their first official meeting was understanding.
But that was where his patience ebbed.
It hadn’t been too hard to find out where this so-called date was taking place, and he’d unashamedly come all the way with the intention to ruin it before Rabbit could attempt to form a connection with someone else.
Baikal wouldn’t stand for that. Period.
Now, seated across from him, his tiny obsession was fuming, equal parts affronted at having his date interrupted by a virtual stranger, and flustered because he couldn’t figure out why. Rabbit was a smart guy; he knew Baikal must have a reason, he just didn’t know what that reason was.
It was cute, watching him try so hard to get a read on Baikal.
It was also infuriating because the more he tried the more apparent it became he wasn’t going to be able to hit the mark.
Kal was going to have to spell it out for him, and he was in no mood to do that after witnessing the way Rabbit had laughed with Arlet.
Let him stew a bit longer, Baikal had already waited a year. What was another couple of nights?
“The entire campus is still talking about it,” he said then, twirling the contents of his drink so the ice clinked against the glass. “They’re all waiting to see how I’ll retaliate against you.” He grunted. “They’re all so certain I will.”
“Is that what’s going on here?” Rabbit asked, a sliver of nervousness slipping through his otherwise standoffish tone.
He was doing an impressive job of keeping his cool, but after a year of watching him play, Baikal could see through him easily enough to know how on edge he actually was. Rabbit didn’t like the unknown. Wasn’t a fan of having things out of his control or understanding, and yet here was a man he’d never spoken to before chasing off his date and talking to him like they were old acquaintances. It should be driving him absolutely mad.
This was why Baikal had settled for this exact approach when he’d decided it was finally time for him to make his claim known.
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for being into cliché university drama.” Rabbit was getting snarky, that mask of indifference he typically wore on campus cracking. It was a mere fissure, but it was enough to further prove Baikal was getting under his skin and making him take notice.
Finally.
His tiny obsession had the uncanny ability to ignore everything and one around him, moving through life so caught up in his own head it was a wonder he’d managed to make even the one friend.
“Between you and me,” Baikal said, “I’m not. My cousin, however…Well, he’s a petty asshole. But don’t worry, I’ll protect you from the big bad wolf, little bunny rabbit.”
