The Human Luna

Chapter 6

Layla’s Point of View

With his head tilted back in a fit of laughter and his one hand curled around the milkshake glass in front of him, Jordan was an absolute vision. So carefree despite no doubt being in deep s**t at work.

He reminded me of who I wanted to be. Who I wanted to turn into.

“I’m serious! He was covered head to toe in feathers. Took him four showers just to get everything off. Needless to say, I was never trusted around feathers and glue again,” He said, calming his laughter only a fraction.

“Your mom must have been pissed at you and your dad for ruining her pillows,” I commented and sipped the triple chocolate shake I had ordered.

The thing was already on it’s last leg but I didn’t want this date to be over.

If it even was a damned date.

Jordan shrugged and smiled. Tilted his head to the side, seeming more innocent than he actually was. “She was just happy that I was home. With the small amount of time I spent around them as a child, I could barely do anything wrong.”

Squinting, I pushed my glass away from me. “Why were you barely ever home?”

His eyes glassed over. Lips trembled ever so slightly. He hadn’t meant to tell me that part. Regretted it almost immediately. “Well… Because…” He struggled with his words.

“You took my f*****g car,” A deep voice hissed beside our table, snapping both of our attention to the side.

For a second there, Jordan almost looked relieved to be interrupted by someone else. It meant he didn’t have to answer.

But the moment he got a good look at who it was, his shoulders sagged and features hardened. I also could have sworn his hand moved an inch closer to me, either to comfort me or to assure himself that I wasn’t going anywhere.

Because Caden’s harsh red eyes loomed above our heads. His chest was a pounding mess. Eyes raked over us, leaving chills running down my spine.

“And you ordered her around like she was one of your servants. I guess that makes us even.” Jordan threw back with ease.

Tension crawled along his body. Every visible muscle clenched together, poised to strike at a moment’s notice.

It was odd to see him so riled up. So eager to attack. Especially considering this was his damned boss and he had flaked on work. And he has stolen a car.

Caden had every right to be angry.

“Because she is-”

“Don’t you dare finish that f*****g sentence,” Jordan spat, this time grabbing my hand in his with a tad more force than i was comfortable with.

The two men faced each other with blazing eyes.

“You are forgetting your f*****g place,” Caden spat. He inched a little closer to me, overshadowing me by what felt like a damned mile. Just his presence alone stole the air right out of my chest.

It reminded me a lot of the feeling I got when I saw the wolf. When I could swear I felt his presence around me. I hated it.

Rough fingers flexed in my hand. Opened and closed slowly. Jordan’s jaw also worked against itself, feathering the muscles beneath his gorgeously tanned skinned.

“No. I think that you are forgetting yours. You have no claim over her. None. She is,” Vivid blue eyes slid my way, softened before he shook his head. “She isn’t anyone’s.”

The way he said it made my heart ache. Made me want to scream. Like I was causing him pain and i had never realized.

An animalistic growl slid out of Caden’s chest. Virbated through me with menacing force.

Was all of this truly about me? All because Caden had wanted to speak with me and Jordan had refused? Was this man with the menacing eyes truly this petty that he would threaten Jordan all because he couldn’t have his way with a woman?

And if so, would me going with him change anything for Jordan?

I didn’t want him to lose his job. Or get reprimanded for just making sure I was fine. Comfortable.

If Caden wanted me to go with him, I would, simply to make sure Jordan was fine. It would be the least I could do for him, after all.

“Let. Her. Hand. Go.” Caden seethed again, his hands balling to fists at his sides.

By now the entire shop was watching us keenly. None of them hid their interest or their eavesdropping. None of them cared that I was stuck beside a horrible man that wanted to do god only knew what to me.

But for Jordan? For Jordan I would go.

Slowly, I slipped my hand out of Jordan’s and faced Caden head-on. What little strength and confidence I had within myself bloomed a bit more when I caught Jordan’s shocked expression.

He opened his mouth to speak but I spoke to Caden instead. “If I go with you, will you leave him alone? Can you promise me that he will keep his job and you won’t press charges for the car?” I asked, my voice wobbling.

Rounded nostrils flared as Caden regarded me. Something like disdain crawled into his eyes. “Yes. I promise that he’ll keep his job and I won’t press any charges against him.” He replied smoothly, regarding me as little more than an insect.

If I was so bothersome to him, then why did he want me to go with him in the first f*****g place?

A guttaral noise passed over the table from Jordan. When I looked at him, more pain had clawed its way onto his features. Made him look vulnerable beyond belief.

“You don’t have to do that. I can handle him,” He urged but I only smiled at him and reached for his hand.

Giving him a light squeeze, I looked back at Caden. “Its the least I could do for someone who has done so much for me already. If this jackass wants to spend time with me and force is the only way to go about it, I promise you there is nothing to worry about.”

Jordan let go of a strangled choking sound.

Caden’s eyes widened, along with his nostrils. The disdain on his face grew even more prominent but I only beamed up at him. Challenged him to come to his own defense.

He didn’t and my heart swelled with pride.

Even as the rest of me still trembled in fear.