REFINED ROMANCE

He got annoyed

Chapter 9

1466 Word Update date:2023-08-11 10:15:18

I turned to look at Liam ."Yeah?"

"Ready when you give the signal, Swan." I tore my eyes away from her. Peter was looking at me.

Crap. Glancing at him. He waited. Then back at him. He gazed at me and was sending this look, I couldn't understand what it meant but something was happening. The beer was probably messing with my head. They were pressuring me to start the competition. And I did the stupidest thing. Grinning like a fool, I gave in to them instead.

"Ready, set, go!"

The struggle ensued and Tommy won without effort. It was amazing how he overpowered Peter. I shook my head and my vision was immediately blocked by someone moving past me. Before I could register who it was,his perfume invaded my mind. And in that moment, I can honestly say that if your lungs could quit, mine did.

Growing cold, eyes wide, I watched Liam walk away and lost control of my body. Because it was kind of like my eyes registering his departure. But my brain wasn't processing all of it. By the time I got up to, he had already reached the exit leading down.

"Hey!" I called out, jogging towards him because he had stopped.

Without glancing around, I noted the mobile taken out of the black purse as he ignored me.

Are you leaving?" I studied his face as light instrumental music played on from the small bar. A burly man wiped glasses, eyes focused on a soccer game. No one was looking at us.

"Yes," he refused to look at me. "No hassle. I'll call a cab."

"No, wait," I reached out to touch his right shoulder and he moved away, squeezing into the wall slightly.

It was shocking. His reaction in that moment. I couldn't believe it because that sudden move alone made me feel horrible. It's like I was really a disease or something and my chest ached terribly. If he was in the least attracted to me, then flinching like that wouldn't be a good sign.

Blinking, his chest heaved. he stared back. "This was a bad idea."

I didn't respond.

"I cannot...compose myself any longer," the grip on his phone slackened slightly.

"What happened?" my voice remained calm.

Men who behave like immature idiots," he said, his voice slightly unsteady, "wrestling to win your affections. Is this what the world has turned into? Love becoming a competition? It's ridiculous to sit and watch. I will not tolerate being in the presence of nonsensical adults."

"It was just a game, that's all." My throat ached.

"I don't like to play games." His brown eyes were fiery. "Strictly business on my part. I handle things professionally."

"Then sorry if I'm not as mature as you expected me to be," my voice remained firm. "Those are my friends. They might be really immature but they're amazing."

He scoffed, clutching his fancy mobile ."Perhaps it's not my kind of behavior to be around."

"Obviously it isn't," I wasn't going to back down. "Sorry but I really like having you there."

He stared at me for a long time, possibly a minute or more. The music played on but I couldn't even detect what song it was. A man laughed behind us and the cheering in the game grew to an uproar.

"It was nice meeting you, Miss Lawrence ",said hoarsely. "Have a good night."

I was filled with dread because of his formality. The way he considered me with a business-like countenance and turned to leave. As if speaking to a partner in the industry. Going for the stairs, the heels of his boots clicked upon the steps. He was actually leaving. And I remained standing there like a fool.

This time when I went after him it wasn't because of the lingering thought that the streets of New York were unsafe. It was because of my racing heart and an aim. I was set on that aim. This couldn't rush by without results. Without taking away something because if he left me like this, there was a guarantee that I'd never sleep tonight. Not a wink. And I didn't want to leave us like this.

So by the time I rushed down the steps, he was a good way ahead already. Without saying a word because people were coming up and going down, I followed. I kept about five steps behind and watched how him grip on the railing wasn't firm. Lips parted, he appeared weak whilst going ahead. And when the night wind finally kissed my flushed face again, we both stepped out onto the sidewalk together.

"Look, I don't know what's going on, okay?" I watched him unlock the iPhone, eyes lowered. "One minute we're bonding and then the next thing I know, you're shutting me down."

He said nothing to me.

"I wanted us to hang out and I feel like crap now because I invited you. I'm really sorry."

The wind fluttered black, choppy hair. "I've had enough fresh air for one night." he tapped away and scrolled through a list. "Thank you."

"I don't want to do this," and it was like me warning myself. "You've got to give me something to work on here."

"What exactly do you want from me?" He lifted his head and stared at nothing in particular. Standing there in his red shirt, arms exposed.

"I don't want a promotion. I don't want a raise in my salary," my voice was itching my throat. "I just feel something and wanted to know what it is. And you're not helping."

He inhaled deeply. Exhaled. His phone was locked. The screen went black. "I never liked public places. I like the privacy of my own home."

"Don't change the conversation."

"It was a wrong move, Sophie," he said, finally turning to face me, sounding like I was about to be given a lecture. "I wished not to be social. I have just ended a marriage. I have just managed to walk free again. And you made me feel my first taste of freedom. A slice of youth. Opening up and being myself. I can speak to you without holding back and it does not bother me in the slightest way."

Hands pushed in my jeans' pockets, I hung my head. he's going to tell me that yeah, my attraction towards him was discovered. And the feelings were mutual. This was expected. I was already feeling stupid.

You are a really intriguing young woman and I have no doubt about that. It is beyond me to imagine anything but the best from you. But I fear that going forward, any other time I wish to...hang out with you," our eyes met, "let's do so alone instead of with...those monkeys. You're quite a smart individual but you are friends with men who reduce themselves to idiots in mere seconds."

What?

I laughed nervously. My cheeks felt so warm, I knew there was a deep blush because he had just basically said what was needed. By me. He wanted us to hang out alone. And a man doesn't just say that freely, that he wants to be with you alone. Even if he has a friendly interest, at least it's slightly deeper. To give me that privilege of winning his trust like that. I couldn't think straight. Literally. I just couldn't.

They're really idiots," I confessed, smiling at him.

He smiled back. "This was not about you. This was about such...immaturity..." a slight frown was offered, shoulders hunched. "Unnerving, really."

"It was about me," my hands felt cold and were sweating. I held our gaze. "When they started competing to play with my hair, you didn't like it."

Of course not." There it was again, that straight face that gave away nothing. "My days for playing doll house has long passed. But I have to admit that yes," he lowered his head and smiled, "your hair is quite tempting to...touch. Such a shade of blonde that stands out..."

"You make me sound like a fancy outfit on a magazine page."

If you were placed in all those ridiculous outfits in my magazine, I am certain that we'd be sold out every single month."

I laughed and he cracked a smile. A smile turned into a gaze and I couldn't stop looking at him.

"Can I ask you something?" I couldn't hold it in anymore. I just couldn't. This was it.

She swallowed and nodded. "Yes."

"I was never good at these kind of things, so if I screw it up, feel free to stop me, okay?"

Brown eyes blinked. "Okay."

"Am I being...delusional?"

"It depends," he shrugged, clutching her phone . "Am I a cyclops or a powerful, sexy man with a pair of brown eyes?"

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