The Genius and The Prince

Chapter 6 – Time with Braxton

“I am sorry about that.” He says walking to the door. “If you’re not too tired I could show you around a bit?” He says, looking back at me with a small smile.

“I’d like that.”

“Then I am going to go change and be back in 20 minutes we can drive around?” He asks as I nod. “Good, see you in 20 Emily.” He smiles sweetly and then walks out. I think my heart did a slight flutter.

‘Not that one.’ I heard from Amira. ‘He isn’t mate’

‘I know, but he is hot. Right?’ I said as I open my suitcase. ‘I mean a friend is good.’

‘But he wants more than friends.’ Amira is now pacing nervously.

‘I know, and I promised I would wait. And really, we have time. We were only 20.’ I told her as I pull out a white eyelet lace sleeveless Kate Spade button-down dress that will rest just above the knees. I pull out my cream underwear and bra. I have a plum and that will show right through the dress. As I tie my hair up in a messy bun and decide to jump in the shower and rinse off. I walk in the ensuite bathroom and freeze. It is amazing. All marble and white with a claw-foot soaking tub on one side and the other a walk-in shower with a waterfall shower head and a few others along the walls. It truly looks like a spa here. The double sinks are along the farthest wall. With an enclosed toilet area to the left. I set my clothes on the counter and go to turn on the shower. I look in and there is already soap, shampoo, and conditioner inside, and the woman is amazing. It is all the stuff I normally use. I am beginning to think she called my mother.

I quickly showered and grabbed the fluffy navy towel and dried off and got dressed. I open the door to my bathroom and Braxton is sitting on my bed laying back against my headboard. He looks quite comfortable and handsome I must admit. He is wearing blue jeans and a white button down with the sleeves rolled up. “I would say make yourself comfortable, but.”

“I would say sorry, but you came out with clothes on.” He said with a smirk. I just roll my eyes and shake my head. For some reason, unknown to me, I feel totally comfortable with him here. He has the tv on that is hanging on the wall across from my bed. It has some type of business news.

“Anything interesting?” I say as I open my bag that has all my lotions and make-up. I pull out my tinted moisturizer and put some on, and then grab my body lotion, this humidity can really do a number on your skin.

“Not really. You’re not putting on any fu-fu smelling lotion, are you?” He asks as he sits up.

I stop and furrow my eyebrows questioning him, “No, why?”

“It’s just well.” He stands up and walks over to me and stands right in front of me. “Your sent, it really is amazing already. Like strawberries dipped in chocolate. It was something my mom would make for an old friend of mine and me when we were younger. We would eat them for hours.” He says smiling pushing a strand of my hair that had escaped the bun I put it in before the shower, behind my ear. “I could become addicted to it.” He said with a sweet smile.

I swallow and take a breath I didn’t know I was holding in. “I don’t like perfumes in my lotion or really any of them, it’s always weird smelling to me.”

“What do I smell like to you?” He put his hands in his pockets looking timid. It is endearing. We both are aware that our scents are usually important to werewolves, and it usually is the first sign of attraction.

I smile and look down. “Well, you’re like cut grass and fresh rain.” I say looking back at him. “It reminds me of a fresh spring day, and oddly now I want to go on a picnic.” I tell him with a slight laugh and shake my head.

“Maybe another day?” Braxton asks hopeful. I look up at him and smile and nod. I didn’t realize how tall he was till now. I am 5’6” and I am looking up, so he has to be at least 6’5” or taller. We stand there for another minute looking at each other. He shakes his head pulling out of the trance. “We better get moving if you wanta see anything we have to be at mom and dads in an hour.” I nod and put the lotions on the bed and open the suitcase that just has shoes. “Holy crap is that thing just for shoes!”

“I know! I have an issue with expensive shoes.” I say pulling out some plum-colored strappy sandals. “And I left some at home so just shut it!” I say with a giggle. I turn and sit on the bed and put on my shoes. He dropped down to help me with the small buckle on them. “Thank you.”

He smiles up at me, “My pleasure.” After he gets them on and then he looks around. “I guess we could have unpacked you and done the tour tomorrow.” He looks down at me.

“I can do it tonight. I am anxious about tomorrow so it will give me something to do, because I don’t think I am going to sleep well tonight for some reason.” I say with a sigh.

“I can come and help after dinner if you need me to. I am just across the street.” He says as he takes my hand and walks to the door. I didn’t even realize he was holding my hand until we got to the front door, and he let it go to open the door. I must be lost, he is not my mate, but he makes me so comfortable and happy. He looks back at me as he opens the door and I walk through it. “So?”

“So?” I respond. As he leads me to his car that is now parked behind mine in the driveway. It is a blue convertible Camaro, and he opens the door. The top is down, and I slide inside.

“Do you want my help?” He asks again.

“Oh, sorry. It’s just clothes, but if you want to keep me company?” I tell him as he leans over the door and looks at me.

“I really would like that.” He states looking at me with tenderness. He walks around and gets in. “We will just go around the neighborhood. Tomorrow we can get out and look at the Pack House or I could show you where we shift and run. Would you want to go on a run with me?” Again, he knows how important it is for our wolves to meet each other and gain their approval. As he turns the corner and starts driving down the neighborhood.

“Yes, to the Pack House, and I will have to ask Amira about the other.” I tell him looking down at my hands.

“I understand.” As he takes one of my hands from my lap. He turns on another street and it dead ends into a park. “Will you go on a short walk with me?” He says looking at the playground holding my hand in 2 of his. I nod and pull my hands away and open the door and get out. He comes around and waits on the sidewalk. There is a play area for kids on the left and in the center, there is a large gazebo that has white lights all over it. The whole area looked like it was pulled out of some home and garden magazine.

We walk in silence for a while and then reach the gazebo and there are benches inside. “Want to sit for a minute. Just talk.” I nod as he puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me to a bench and we sit. “I just want to start with; I am not sorry for asking about the run. And I think you can tell I am interested in getting to know you.” He says as he clasps his hands in front of him.

I smile and nod. “I would like to get to know you too…” I tell him as strongly as I can.

“Why do I feel a but coming on.” He says with a laugh.

I nod, “but, I promised my mom and my wolf I would not get into a relationship unless it is my mate for at least a year.” I tell him honestly. “I don’t want to lead you on, but at the same time.” I tell him and stop, because I am trying to figure out how to tell him I am attracted to him, I feel safe with him, and I feel like he could be a great friend. He nods for me to go on, “at the same time, I feel safe with you, and I don’t miss home. And if I am honest with myself, I am attracted to you.” I tell him and I can feel the blush on my cheeks and put my head down.

“Good. Because I am attracted to you as well. More so than I have anyone in a long time.” He told me taking my hand again. “I know I am not your mate, but I don’t know why after getting my heart trampled on a few years ago, you’re the first person that made me want to open up again.” He is holding my one hand in both of his. He is timid and gently smiling at me. “I am not going to do anything but hold your hand. I don’t know why, but from the moment I saw you I just wanted to sit next to you or touch you. I just don’t get it.” He shakes his head, still trying to figure it out.

“Well, friends can hold hands and friends can comfort and care for one another, right?” I tell him and he nods in agreement.

“Can they hug?” Braxton smiles again timidly.

“I think some do.” I smile back. “I think we do.” As I smile again at him and then put my head down.

He reaches out and pulls me into him and rests his chin on my head. I put my arms around his torso and hold him. I swear I felt a kiss in my hair, but I wasn’t about to say anything. My wolf stirs, ‘He’s not mate’ Amira growls.

‘Again, I know.’ I tell her, rolling my eyes. ‘But can you explain this feeling?’

‘I don’t know, it is like he is a close second or best friend? It is weird. I want him to be near us too. Like he will help us with something that is coming.’ She says as she lays back down, enjoying his comfort.

“What time is it?” He pulls away and looks at his watch. “Crap we have like 10 minutes. Don’t worry we will get there with a few minutes to spare.” He pulls me up off the bench and takes my hand, and we walk back to the car. “Did you talk to your wolf?”

“Yes, did you?” I ask.

“Yes, Roman agrees it is weird, but he wants to be near you, like something is coming, and you will need me.” He tells me and I stop dead in my tracks. He turns and looks at me. “What?”

“Amira said the exact same thing!” I tell him as we look at each other. He pulls me close. One arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me into him, the other around my shoulders. I wrap my arms around his torso and hold his back.

“I have you. I won’t leave you. I know I will be there for you.” He says and I swear there was another kiss in my hair. I look up and smile at him. “We really gotta go he says looking at his watch and takes off towards the car holding my hand. We both run and get in and he takes off to our street. We turn around the corner and there is a black car in his parents’ driveway. “What the hell is he doing here?”

“Who?” I ask, sounding like a damn owl.

“The King.” He says parking the car in his driveway as we get out. He waits and takes my hand as we walk to his parents' house. I start smelling something that has my wolf perk up. It is cedar and coffee. As we get to the front door the smell keeps getting stronger. As we get to the front door, we are still holding hands as we walk in the door. From the entry you can see the formal sitting room. Inside, I see Richard, Lemon, and 2 other men. I know one as the King from pictures. As I reach the younger one of the two, I look in his eyes and recognize his face. He is the king’s son, as I hear my wolf.

‘MATE.’ I take a deep breath and hold it.