Obsession

VI

Kryos settled himself into a bar stool. His movements are always so relaxed and casual. I feel envious of his aloof aura. He dipped his head, silently greeting Honey before his eyes returned to me. "Good evening ladies," he speaks, captivating every one close enough to hear his melodic voice. "I apologize for being late. I was taking care of some personal business."

Immediately, curiosity consumed me. Kryos most definitely is the quiet, mysterious type.

Honey slides a sweat covered Budweiser in Kryos' direction, igniting a smirk to enlighten his sharp features. "Thank you sweetheart," he hums, cracking the can open in a swift fluid motion.

"It's on me. Now you have to owe me one," she quips, winking at him as she wipes down the bar.

She earns a hearty chuckle from Kryos. As she disappears into the crowd, carrying a tray of alcoholic beverages, Kryos meets my eye again. I quirk an expectant eyebrow at him as I take Honey's place in wiping down the bar. Business had slowed down significantly, giving me a break from doing most of the running. It also gave me the perfect chance to interrogate Kryos on his tardiness.

His brow furrows as he takes a sip from his can, confusion assembled with slight amusement align his features. "What?" he finally asks, setting his can back on the bar.

"Personal business?" I muse. "Sounds kind of shady to me."

"Last time I checked," he sighs dramatically, glancing down at the nonexistent watch on his wrist, "it's none of your business."

"Very well. That doesn't make me any less suspicious of you, though," I huff, and refrain from holding back my instinctive eye roll.

"Is that suspicion or curiosity, Sweetheart?" He murmurs, before brushing his warm hands over my own, seizing me from wiping down the counter top. Shivers raked my spine. He makes it so easy to garner a reaction out of me sometimes. I hate that I give into his little antics so carelessly.

"Wouldn't you like to know? Now you sound like a hypocrite," I breathe, recomposing myself.

He tosses his head back, exposing the veins on his neck as a merry, musical laugh exits his beautiful body. I feel my cheeks grow warm as I catch myself devouring him solely with my gaze.

"You're too smart for this place Roxanne."

I can feel the small, inescapable smile curl onto my lips. He's too sweet sometimes. I've grown up being fed sugary words in hopes they'd be enough to exchange for something intimate. Kryos gives me these honeyed words without expecting anything in return. It makes my head spin.

A comfortable silence falls on us as I begin wiping down glasses for Honey. I sneak a glance at him and he's watching Aspen own the stage. Watching him watch her causes a small cloud to form in my stomach.

"I can feel your eyes on me," he speaks without meeting my gaze. Instead he keeps watching the stage. I bite back a chuckle. Whenever I dance on the stage, I know he's there simply because I can feel the weight of his gaze. Again, warmth begins to surface on my cheeks.

"I wonder, is this how you feel when I watch you?" His question is rhetoric. He closes his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing as he soaks in the feeling. "I hope so."

Finally his grey eyes meet mine. When they do, I realize then just how desperately I craved for his attention in that moment.

♤♡◇♧

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Bold red letters read 6 o'clock sharp. It was almost time for Dieter to return to my room with dinner. Given how we left things earlier, I doubt he'll be in a good mood. The lunch he so carefully crafted for me still lay spewed across the oak hardwood floor.