Before we leave the guys treat me to lunch and I notice a help wanted sign on the cafe's counter. "Would it be okay if I got a job?" I ask hesitantly.
"You don't need one, you've got school and we have you covered moneywise." Richard says coldly. I frown at him, he's usually cautious when it comes to me, but today he's being downright grouchy and negative.
"What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing, just eat your lunch so we can leave."
I quickly finish my food and push the chair out, preparing to get up.
"Hello beautiful, didn't think I'd be seeing you again so soon." I blush from head to toe at Derrin's use of the word beautiful.
"Had some shopping to do." I nod towards the now overflowing trolley.
"I'm Derrin Bach." He holds his hand out to Jason, who gives it a quick shake.
Richard, however, gets up from the table. "It's time to go." He states grabbing my hand. He practically drags me from the cafe, I glance back to apologise, but Derrin is already gone, all I see is Jason following behind us pushing the trolley.
"What the hell was that about?" I snap ripping my hand from Richard's as we exit the mall.
"It was time to leave." Richard repeats, trying to grab my hand again.
I raise my brows in question and turn my gaze to Jason. He shrugs and holds his palms up towards the open sky. "Beats me. Never seen him like this before." He moves faster, catching up to Richard in seconds. I drop back, allowing them a moment. "What is your problem? You've been acting like a bear with a sore tooth all afternoon."
"I just don't like the way guys in there were constantly watching her, or the fact thatthatDerrin guy was flirting with her. She can't afford to have any outside attachments, it’s too dangerous." Richard growls as he puts all of our purchases into the boot of the car. I'm not sure why I do it, but the moment he is finished, I grasp his hand, threading my fingers through his. We stay like that for a few moments while Jason puts the trolley into the trolley bay. None of us say a word as we all get into the car.
The drive home is done in an uncomfortable silence, but even I - who can't stand awkward silences - don't bother to break it. The moment we pull into the driveway, Richard's shoulders relax, almost like he was only on edge because we were out in public.
After helping them bring all the shopping inside, I collapse on the couch, ready to drown out the day with a movie. Richard comes in carrying the bags from Tragically Beautiful While I'm flicking though the TV channels. He places them on the couch beside me and smiles softly. "I bought you a few things." Is all he says before sitting down beside me.
"You didn't have to do that." I pull the wad of cash from my pocket. "If I had wanted to buy anything..." I pass the cash back to him, but he just closes his hand around mine and the money.
"Keep it for school lunches." He pulls the first bag towards himself and pulls out the most beautiful blood-red top, the sleeves are a lighter shade of red lace with roses running up them and a red lace boarder circles the bottom of the top. I don't normally wear colours, but this top is amazing.
"It's beautiful Richard." I whisper running my hands across the delicate lacework. A matching skirt with lacework along a tear that would expose almost all of my outer thigh lands in my lap next. I look from the skirt to Richard and back again. "I don't think the skirt is appropriate for school."
"Won't know until you try it on, but you're going to need these." He pulls the second bag over and hands me a shoe box and two smaller boxes, the shoes are boots with red ribbons in place of laces. The two smaller boxes contents have me gasping. Six matching silver bangles, all with roses engraved on their shiny surfaces and a silver chain with a full bloom rose, the skull nestled in the centre is so detailed you can see the tiny cracks along the bone where the thorns protrude through. I'm in love with the entire outfit, jewellery, and all.
"Richard... I..." I choke back a sob and fling my arms around his neck. My intention is to kiss him on the cheek in thanks, but a second before my lips touch his skin, he turns his head. Warm supple lips meld themselves to mine. I gasp, opening my mouth and Richard doesn't waste the opportunity, he slips his tongue between my lips, tentatively touching mine. I'm so lost in the feel and taste of him that I don't notice Jason entering the room until he loudly clears his throat. "Ahem."
I try to pull back, but Richard threads his fingers through my hair, holding me firmly against him for a few more seconds.
"That's enough!" Jason calls out.
This time Richard lets go, I scramble back away from him, my eyes wide. I have no idea what the fuck made him do that, or what made him be more forceful when Jason entered the room, but the strangest thing was while I was aware Jason was behind us, I felt more turned on than I had a few seconds before he walked in. Almost as though his eyes on me, made the whole thing that muchmore.
"I... ah... I'm going to go try these on." I stutter out as I pick everything up off the floor where it had fallen and shove it roughly into the bags. I take off for the stairs before anyone else can say anything. I spend the rest of the day and the better part of the evening toying with my coin, trying to make heads or tails out of the weirdness of today. The only conclusion I could come up with was that the bond has somehow shifted our relationship from bossy-guardian-friends to something bordering on romantic.
I'm not sure I want our situation to change, or even if they want it to change, but at the same time, I'm not so sure we can stop it.
Eleven
Richard
I can’t believe that asshole pulled her away from me. She was kissing me back. That means she wants me as much as I want her. Who the hell does he think he is?
“What the fuck man?” Jason’s voice grates on my nerves as he stands there glaring at me. Areyna’s disappeared upstairs, trying on the outfit I gave her. The outfit that made her kiss me as though I was her air. She’s been my everything since the moment I first saw her. Unfortunately, Jason was there that night and he saw her first, but there’s no calling dibs when it comes to the heart. She’s going to be with me. I’m sure of it. She’ll choose me, we’ll move out and live happily ever after.
Maybe.