Tasting

406–Threatening To Kiss Me

Nora:

Nash approached me, looking intimidating as always. Of course, he had something to say–he looked so worked up.

“Seriously?” he asked, his eyes narrowing as he glared at me, shaking his head in disbelief.

“What?” I shrugged, trying to walk past him. He had left Daphne downstairs, which worried me. We weren’t supposed to leave her alone for even a second.

“You know you’re hurting him, right? What did you do?” Nash questioned, stepping into my path, making me nearly bump into him.

“How am I hurting him? I just got rid of the painting he did of me so Daphne wouldn’t see it and go running to Brody,” I replied, watching as he narrowed his eyes at me like he didn’t believe a word I said.

“He can have another mate, but you can’t even keep a painting Cain drew of you?” he placed his hands on his hips, visibly frustrated.

“He hates you guys. I’m sure I don’t need to hide that from you. He’d be furious if he found out Cain painted me. And if I told him it was from when we were pretending to be step–siblings,” I rolled my eyes dramatically, “he’d think I was crazy and believe the rumors were true.”

Nash sighed, staring intently at me, “You burned his painting, Nora-” it finally dawned on him just how upset Cain would be.

But I didn’t think he would be. He got over me quickly enough and started dating Natalya. Not only dating her, but always siding with her.

“Anyway, that’s not why I’m here right now. Where is Daphne? Why did you leave her alone?” I pouted, watching him roll his eyes at me.

“She woke up to use the restroom. Did you expect me to follow her inside too? Look, you brought her here, so you take care of her. I’m her ex, and I don’t want her thinking there’s a chance for reconciliation,” he sounded so done with the whole situation.

I mean, he had been done with her before, too, but then he ended up dating her again. So I half–expected them to get back together at some point.

Not that it bothered me. I didn’t care.

I’d be going back home soon, and they’d be out of my life again. Whatever they did wouldn’t matter to me.

“Fine, I’ll take her to my room so she can rest,” I said, but as I started heading downstairs, I saw Nash following me.

“She’s already asleep in the guest room for the night. I don’t think she even has the energy to walk upstairs,” Nash explained. I slowed down, which is exactly what I had been afraid of.

“Okay, I’ll stay with her then,” I commented while Nash continued walking downstairs beside me, towering over me with his imposing presence.

When I reached the guest room, I intended to go in and check on her. But before I could even enter, I stopped at the sound of voices coming from inside.

I gestured for Nash to stop walking so I could eavesdrop. She was crying inside–sobbing like her world was crumbling apart.

“Moon Goddess, please, this stay the best for me. Please, make him love me again.”

I turned to Nash and shot him a glance. He folded his arms over his chest, clearly aware that she was pleading with the Moon Goddess for him.

“Please, I want nothing but him. My broken heart will only mend if you give me Nash,” her sobbing continued, making me shift uncomfortably as I listened to the desperate prayer.

“She knows we’re out here,” Nash mouthed, still stunned that she was crying over him.

I gave him another hand gesture, trying to focus on my surroundings. The more Daphne’s heartbreak deepened, the colder the air seemed to grow.

“Go ahead, comfort your admirer,” Nash teased, his sarcasm grating on my nerves. I finally gave in and turned toward him.

“She’s your ex, someone you always end up getting back together with, no matter how bad the breakup or the issue. So, go ahead and hug her,” I snapped, pushing him slightly. Of course, he barely moved.

That irritated me.

I was so much stronger now, but the fact that I could hardly budge him or his brother made me feel a competitive fire burning inside.

“Why would I? I don’t want to,” Nash said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward his chest, catching me off guard. “You touch me again-” I expected his warning to be more menacing, until he added, “-then I’ll touch you too.”

There was a brief hesitation in his threat as his eyes flickered down to my lips. “Don’t push me too far. I might push back much harder… and end up kissing you.”

My heart flipped, and suddenly my body was enveloped in a strange wave of heat. It hadn’t happened in months. What had he just done to me?