We’re progressively getting closer and closer to the Azures as we make our way through greeting everyone. With each step, I feel their eyes on me. Not on Reid. Never on Reid. They’ve all warmed up to him better than he hoped.
Reid stops before the three of them and shakes hands. Normally, we’d greet a woman with a kiss on the back of the hand, but Addison isn’t the same as other women. Most welcome the attention and the distinction from men. She likes to be seen as one of them. Treated equally.
“It’s lovely to see you all again,” Reid says with a warm smile.
“You as well,” Elliott responds. “I know Alison was happy to have you here.” He says this to Reid, not me. Ali and I talk when in each other’s presence, but it’s under everyone’s watchful eyes. I wonder if I’ll ever be seen as something other than a threat to them. I’ve never shown malicious intent toward Ali. If anything, I would risk my life for her. I would die with honor so she could be saved from any danger.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Addison cuts in smiling. “It was nice seeing you again, King Pine. There’s something I must attend to.” Internally I’m laughing at her omission of my name.
She steps away. When she’s a foot from me, the heel of her shoe catches on a soft patch of grass. She starts to tumble forward, but I reach out and catch her before she can fall. The second my hands touch the bare skin of her arm, a current courses through me like lightning in my veins, rocking me to my core. I’m frozen in place. Addison’s head snaps up to mine. Loose strands of hair partially cover her face. It’s as if the rest of the world falls away only leaving the two of us. Does she feel it, too? She doesn’t shake me off, and I don’t release her. I would expect her to pull away from me like someone would touching a flame. Slowly, she stands. At her full height, she’s still shorter than me. Her light blue eyes hold mine.
Our spell is quickly broken when Elliott pulls her from me. I’m no longer completely enraptured by her. “Addi, are you okay?” he asks her, then turns to me with a face full of menace. “Don’t you dare touch my sister.”
I force myself to remain calm. Raising my voice to him, or anyone for that matter, will only reflect poorly on Reid. “I merely caught her when she fell. Nothing more.”
Elliott narrows his eyes at me. Addison places her hand on his arm. “It’s fine,” she says softly. He turns, not believing her.
“It is most certainly not.”
The Pine Forest is available now!