The Undergrowth

Chapter 8: Axes, Burgers, and Beers. Oh my!

I spend the following day working on my lesson plan and ideas to help with the play. I jot down a few things to run past Liam on Monday. Tonight, on our date we aren't going to talk about work. I want to get to know him personally.

My lady parts want to know him intimately. I haven't been able to stop thinking about that kiss. The way his mouth had felt on mine, the things it had evoked inside me is something I have never felt before.

Sure, Josh was my last serious boyfriend. And I thought we were meant for the long haul. That was until I found him in bed, at our apartment, with Holly Daniels. Even though I know he was my first love, I never had the feelings for him I have for Liam, Especially in such a short time.

I wasn't a love at first sight girl. I wasn't a believer in fate or soulmate or whatever hokey name you wanted to give it. But this burning desire inside me for Liam was something I couldn't seem to simmer. No matter how hard I tried.

I ended up getting ready for our date early, wearing the outfit Harper had suggested the night before. I snap a few pictures over to her. Then apply some light lipstick and a dab of perfume.

Harper sends me an eye popping emoji back and I hit her back with a heart, with promises of texting her later to let her know how it went. I take my kindle and step into the living room. The house is empty. I had heard Ebon peeling out earlier and Felicity had been gone since this morning.

I unlock my Kindle and pull up my novel. I have only read a few pages when the front door opens and Felicity bounces in.

"Hi!" she waves. "You look pretty. Are you going somewhere?"

"Thanks," I reply, "And yes. I'm going on a date with Liam."

"Oh," the smile falls from her face. "Ebon's not going to like that."

I slam my kindle down. "I don't care what Ebon thinks."

"You should." She's goes pale.

"Why's that?" I throw my hands up. "Why should I give a damn about what he thinks?" I really want to know what is up in this house.

"Ebon wants you as his mate," She gasps and throws her hands over her mouth, paling further.

"His what?" My brow furrows.

"Nothing, nevermind." she shakes her and starts backing down the hall. "I shouldn't have said that. I have to go." she turns and flees to her room, leaving me staring after her.

His mate? His mate.

What the hell am I supposed to think about that? His mate. That sounded like something you would say about penguins or dogs. If he was interested in me, maybe he shouldn't have been such a jerk to me.

I try to go back to reading, but my mind is racing. I had thought Ebon was hot when I first saw him. I wondered if there might be something between us. Then Liam walked in. And from the very beginning, I felt a draw to him. He came at me with pretty words and an even prettier face. He had shown me kindness and I instantly knew I was safe when I was with him.

Then Ebon decides to kiss me and it was disastrous. I had zero emotions when he kissed me. My only thought was that I wanted it to be over. Then, that kiss with Liam last night happened and I knew I had to pursue whatever this was with him. He and I have chemistry. We have fire. We have the thing I read about in my novels. Something I've never had before. Something that seemed too good to be true.

After thirty minutes of me reading the same page over and over a knock sounds at the door. I jump up and rush over. Then I pause. I don't want to seem like I'm over eager. I don't want him to think I have been waiting by the door for him.