Your Man IS NOT My Mate
Friends For Life

I'm less than enthused to be up this morning. The house had been quiet ever since Adrian left and Mr. 'I won't touch her' did keep his distance.

I crawl out of bed, reluctantly, which seems to be the new norm, and I get ready for school before making my way down.

Immediately, my nose twitches and after a deep inhale, my nostrils fill my lungs with a delightful aroma floating out of the kitchen. I enter to see bacon sizzling on the stove and Officer DéSilver beating some eggs in a bowl, shirtless, each movement so graceful and precise, each flexed muscle visible and defined, it's hard not to stare. Damn, he’s infuriatingly fine.

But it doesn't matter now because there's something fishy going on that I need to get to the bottom of.

However, before I could say anything to confront him, he senses my presence and turned around to face me. "Good morning, Liyah Lee." He smiles, his behavior making me question whether yesterday was just a part of my imagination.

"Hmm, morning to you too. Alaric." I emphasize, watching the sudden change in his expression.

He places the bowl down, giving me his undivided attention. "Look, about that... I'm sorry."

"For what?" Fury slowly begins to rise its head as flashes of that fateful evening that's nearly lead to my death pop into mind.

"I didn't mean to, it's just that..." He sighs, gathering his thoughts. "when I returned to the table, you were sleeping and I just couldn't pull myself to wake you up because you looked so... so-" he pauses, my heart frantically lashing about in my chest, startled by the sudden realization of his close proximity.

When did he even get so close?

He is literally standing, just inches away from me. I can barely swallow, much less control my breathing. "So what?" I whisper, looking deep into his eyes as he holds my gaze.

"So peaceful and..."

"And…"

"Sweet." His voice is low, compelling, inviting, awakening something deep within me.

My brows slightly dip at his confession. "So, you were watching me sleep?"

"How could I not, you are very pretty when you are... And if I'm not mistaken, You. Hate. Being. Awoken."

My eyes widen as he leans in, his lips drifting so close to my ear that I can feel each breath tickling my earlobe. "I've learned to let sleeping dogs lie."

I gulp, watching as he pulls back with a smirk playing on his lips, and in that moment everything fades as our eyes refuse to break contact. I can feel Stella squirming under his intense gaze and my body heating up.

Suddenly, my nose tingles, and I inhale deeply. "That- that smell." I exclaim.

His eyes instantly widen, transfixed on me, searching my eyes. "You finally smell it?"

"Yes, it's a burning scent."

"Burning?" He frowns but then like a ton of bricks it hits him. "Oh my gosh, the bacon!"

Frantically, he dashes back to his station in the kitchen and I can't help but laugh at his antics.

"At least it's crispy now" he chuckles, adding to my laughter. "I know I haven't lived up to your expectations of me," he says turning to me with the plate in his hand. "So can I make up for it with this burnt offering?"

I cackle out, unable to hold it in as I watch him struggle to contain his laughter.

This is the first time I've seen him so relaxed, so.... human.

I walk up to him, looking down at the burnt bacon on the plate. "I'll accept- if you promise to let me see you smile more often."

His smile broadens. "Only if you promise to be the reason." My heart skips a beat as something in his eyes tells me he’s serious.

"Stop being a tease." I laugh again, trying to cover up the fact that his words have unleashed a flutter of butterflies within my stomach.

His smile fades. "What if I'm not?"

My heart goes into overdrive and I'm suddenly overwhelmed by a heat that engulfs my entire body.

I immediately recognize that I need to get out of here before I do or say something stupid, so I turn to flee.

"Wait, Liyah Lee, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't" If anything he's sending my emotions haywire. I know I should be angry with him right now for everything, for lying to me, for deceiving me, for standing me up, for putting my life in danger, but I'm not. If anything, it's the complete opposite which is totally bizarre.

"Look" he sighs and I turn to look at him. "I don't usually smile, I don't have much of a reason to, but you make me smile and I like that." What? Is he really opening up to me? "I hope I'm not overstepping my boundaries but if it's not too much to ask, can we at least be friends?"

I try to conceal my shock, though I don't know how much of a good job I'm doing at it. Officer DéSilver- Mr. Mysterious- Mr. Serious- No smile- Kinda Rude Guy, is asking to be my friend; suddenly wearing piece of his heart on his sleeve.

A warm fussy feel blossoms in my chest and unconsciously a smile creeps across my face. "I think if you continue to be as sweet as you are now then being your friend might not be such a bad idea."

He raises an eyebrow, a smile breaking out on his lips, melting my heart. "Really?"

I nod, my lips curling up to match his expression. "Yeah, I mean, I'm still mad at you though." I quickly add.

"You should be... But I'm hoping you'll grant me a lifetime to make it up to you."

Gosh, why does he have to be so smooth with words constantly turning my world upside down?

"Ok, fine. Deal" I smile. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the Findɴovel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

With a smile of his own, he returns to the kitchen, dumping the ruin bacon into the bin. "Why did it have to be you she smelt?" he murmurs to himself, or at least that's what it sounds like he said as he grabs the whisked eggs to scramble.

I silently chuckle listening to him talking to himself as I walk away to get ready for school.

Today might not be such a bad day after all.

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