Of Sweat Pants And Baggy Shirts
The atmosphere between us changes after that. I think Constantine makes an effort to make me feel more at ease and relaxed around him. We play stupid games like twenty questions as we walk through the woods. It's surprising how I'm able to talk freely with him. I seem to be able to make him laugh with my ability to say stupid things. After a while, I forget how formidable he could be. Every now and then, when I glance up at him, my breath hitches at how perfect he looks. However, I don't feel like the power that he radiates is intimidating anymore. In fact, it strangely feels as if that power is enveloping me. It makes me feel powerful and protected. Makes me feel as if I'm part of him.
“Okay, my turn. How old are you?” I ask him.
“Very old,” is his answer.
“Oh come on, I'll tell you how old I am, if you tell me how old you are.” I tempt him. I'm very curious. He looked like he was 18 three years ago. He still looks like he's 18 now.
He chuckles. “I already know how old you are, sunshine. Why don't you ask questions that normal people usually ask? Like what my favorite color is.”
“Lame! Don't normal people ask how old you are? Besides, I already know your favorite color. Black. You're always wearing black.”
“Polite, normal people don't ask questions about other people's age. Besides, you're wrong. I like red. Like the color of your hair.”
“I like Blue. Okay, so color was your question. Now it's my turn.”
“Again?” he groans.
“So, when were you born?”
Constantine bursts out laughing. The sound of his deep laughter sends the whole army of butterflies going crazy in my tummy.
“You don't give up, do you sunshine?”
“Nope, I'm pretty stubborn,” I announce proudly.
“Alright then, I was born in the year 1703 in Bucharest, though my parents aren't Romanian,” he says casually. His eyes are regarding me carefully as if gauging my reaction.
“That wasn't so hard, was it?” I grin up at him. “So, where are your parents now? Where were they from?”
“Nope, I think it's my turn now.” He grins. “You didn't run for the hills after I told you my age. Why?”
I shrug. “I don't know...I think I sorta expected that. I know lycans live a long time...much longer than werewolves.”
“We don't age like werewolves.” He nods.
“Why do you call me sunshine?” I ask him, truly curious.
“Because the evening sun was shining through the glass window that first day I saw you. It hit your face and your hair. It made your face glow and your hair fiery red.” He takes a lock of my hair between his fingers. His face is full of wonder as he stares at it. Then his eyes shift to my face. “You're the most fascinating thing I've ever laid eyes on. I could look at you, listen to you, and breathe in your scent all day and all night and still can't get enough. You're on my mind every single minute of every day. You're the most important person to me even when you don't know it. I don't understand the power you have on me, but I can't fight it.”
I arrived back home just after 11 am. Our hands brush once, sending delicious sparks shooting through my entire body. By the third time our hands touched, Constantine takes my hand in his.
Oh, cuddly bunnies and fuzzy slippers!
My poor heart. We walk with our fingers entwined that last few minutes together and now I'm on cloud nine.
We part ways reluctantly. So much for me wanting more time to think things through. Are we going too fast or three years too slow? I have no idea. The only thing that I know now is that I'm on cloud nine.
I take my shower, brush my hair, and put on my outfit for the day in a daze.
I must be dreaming. This is too perfect to be real.
I walk downstairs to join my family for brunch, still on cloud nine.
“How's your date with Kevin last night?” asks mom, looking strangely worried.
I crash back down to earth. Oh gosh! Does she know? Did anybody tell her about my doomed date last night?
I slide down my seat at the breakfast table trying to look nonchalant. First and foremost, look innocent. Then ask vague questions to find out how much they really know. These steps have served me well throughout my eighteen years of living.
“Why?” is my first vague question before biting into my toast.
“Honey, we have an invitation to dinner at Alpha Carrington's house tonight,” mom informs me.
Huh? “What? Why?” I almost choke on my toast.
Dad sets his coffee mug down and looks at me seriously. I'm not liking where this is going.
“Well, sweetie, Logan seems to have changed his mind and decided to accept you as his mate and luna after all,” explains my dad.
Logan did what? Must be the alpha's decision. Last time I heard, Logan still wanted Mia to rule the pack by his side.
“Does Logan know about this? I mean...how'd you know about this?” I look at both mom and dad.
“Alpha Carrington himself called this morning,” says dad. “He invited us to dinner to apologize and to discuss plans for the future.”
My heart sinks to the bottom of my shoes. I want my cloud nine back. I just want to be drunk on Constantine's presence again.
“Isn't it great honey? He must've realized that he can't live without his mate. The mate's attraction is too strong to resist. Soon you'll have your mate.” Mom smiles.
I try to smile back, but I think my smile looks forced.
“I understand that being a luna is a big responsibility, but you'll be great at it, Genesis. I know you would,” says mom, misunderstanding my reluctance and troubled look.
I notice my parents looking at each other in puzzlement and concern as my mom pats my hand soothingly. They must be wondering why I'm looking so down.
“Tell you what, let's go shopping and find a dress for tonight,” suggests mom, trying to cheer me up.
“Okay,” I agree slowly, even though that's the last thing I want to do. I just want to sit at home and dream about Constantine all day.
***
Half way through our shopping expedition together, I get a text from Constantine. My heart speeds up at the sight of his name as usual.
Constantine: Hey sunshine, what are you doing? Thinking of me? ;)
Me: Nah, too busy stripping ;P
Constantine: ?
Me : In changing room at the mall. Shopping with mom.
Constantine : Don't tease me.
Constantine : If I knew shopping involves you stripping, I'd take you shopping myself.
Me : Perv :P
Constantine : What did I say about perv?
Constantine: When you're not too busy stripping, can I see you soon?
Me : maybe tomorrow?
Constantine : why not tonight?
Me : Can't. Have dinner tonight.
His next reply comes very quick.
Constantine : With who?
I hesitate for a second, but then I reply truthfully.
Me : Alpha Carrington's house.
Constantine : W-why?
Constantine : Never mind. I'm coming to see you soon.
Me : Soon tomorrow?
Me : Tomorrow right?
Me : Constantine?
“Are you done, sweetie? You're taking a long time in there.” Mom's voice urging me to change quickly.
My mom is feeling generous today. We each get a dress and a few beautiful tops. Mom gets a pair of black sling back heels, while I get a pair of nude color pumps. It's after four that we manage to get out of the mall. Dinner is at 7 pm.
Constantine never replied to my last text.
Now, here I am in my room trying to get ready for dinner that I don't really want to go to.
“You look beautiful, sunshine.” I suddenly hear a familiar voice.
I jump, almost falling off my chair. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I gasp, turning around to look at him.
Constantine is leaning against the window sill with one hand at the top of the frame, while the other at the side of it. My breath catches and my heart stops for a beat. Will I ever get used to how good this god-like creature look? The muscles of his arms bulge. His dark brown hair is sexily messy with slight curls at the end.
He slowly stalks further into the room and I stand up facing him. He walks like the predator that he is, but he doesn't scare me or intimidate me. Not anymore, I note in surprise.
“Are you all dressed up like this for him?” There's something dangerous lurking in his silver gray eyes. His thick long dark eyelashes sweep down as he scans my body slowly.
I'm wearing a dark red spaghetti strap dress that follows the curves of my body. It ends a few inches above my knees. The deep red looks good against the paleness of my skin.
“No, but I have to dress up for dinner. My mom bought this dress for tonight,” I whisper softly, not wanting my family to hear us.
He moves in closer until there are only a few inches between us. He raises his hand up and he trails the back of his fingers softly against my cheek. His touch sends sparks down my body. His closeness is affecting my breathing. I sway in his touch. His delicious scent clouding my senses.
“Change.” He breathes against my ear. His warm breath fans my skin.
I find myself wanting to please him. I move into the closet and take another dress off the hanger.
What is wrong with me? I don't usually let guys boss me around. Didn't I have that talk with myself this morning? Well, I've never been anyone's erasthai before either.
I change into a green halter dress. The green brings out the color of my eyes and complements my red hair. The top part of the dress hugs my curves and the bottom flares out in a flirty soft fabric. It's an inch longer than the first dress, so I should be good.
I walk out of the closet feeling quite proud of myself.
“No,” he growls as soon as he sees me.
“What? Do I look ugly in this dress?” I whisper yell, feeling frustrated.
He groans. “Sweetheart, I want you to go looking ugly for this dinner,” he replies.
What?
“What do you want me to do? Wear my pajamas there?”
“No, especially not the pajamas you had on this morning,” he answers quickly. “Don't you have sweat pants and a baggy shirt or something?”
“Know what? You're funny,” I laugh softly.
“No, I'm serious,” he counters.
“Honey? Are you ready? We don't want to be late,” hollers mom from downstairs.
“In a minute, mom!” I holler back.
“I have to go,” I whisper to him.
He sighs. “If you must.” He relents broodingly, looking very unhappy. “Before you go...can I do something?”
“What?”
He steps in closer, and I freeze. With just a few inches gap between us, he moves my red curls off my shoulder and neck and leans in. His fingers graze my skin.
Oohh... goosebumps.
His nose and lips touch my neck and my hands grip his solid rock hard arms.
“What are you doing?” I slur, feeling drunk by the touch of his skin on mine.
“I'm strengthening our bond,” he whispers against my skin, then he breathes in deeply. I feel his warm lips brushing my neck softly.
My breath catches. Then I involuntarily breathe his scent in as well.
I feel his power enveloping me, like a warm blanket. I feel powerful and protected.
“Now you remember that you're mine,” he says with satisfaction.