Page 16 of His Sunshine Baby (The Silver City #2)

“You think this is too much?”

Daniel rolls his eyes at me. He’s lying on our couch, surrounded by his notes for his presentation tomorrow about his samples or whatever. Meanwhile, I’m busy trying on a dress, something short and sexy.

“Girl, you are too much. There’s going to be a fucking riot if you walk around wearing that napkin on your booty.”

“Danny, you’re not helping. I just can’t find the right thing.”

“Moon Goddess, the guy has seen you naked a hundred times! Why would he care if you’re wearing last season’s Chanel or a trash bag? We both know it's going to end up on the floor anyway.”

I throw my dress at him, annoyed.

“I haven’t seen him in a week, babe, and the last time I did, I yelled at him.”

“With valid reasons.”

“With a schedule, Daniel.”

“You should have kept with it! One week?! Every time you take one step forward, it’s two steps back with Black. You two are like magnets that just can’t stay away from each other. It’s painful to watch, I swear.”

I sigh and look down at the pile of clothes at my feet. I turn to Daniel again, worried.

“You think I’m making a mistake, right? Seeing him again?”

Daniel seems to hesitate for a bit, then shakes his head.

“Honestly, Black is still a hundred times better than Diego, so… I don’t know. This is all super complicated, especially with the pack’s stuff and all. I feel like I’m watching Romeo and Juliet, the modern and adult version.”

He’s not wrong, sadly. Whatever we will be doing tonight, we are not supposed to. I have to sneak out of our territory, and Nate has to avoid his brothers. The worst thing is, I don’t actually care about all that. I just want to see him, badly.

It’s strange, but seeing Diego again has made me realize how much I love Nathaniel. As if the contrast between the two of them had made it more obvious. I growl and pick a sparkly white skirt.

“This one?”

“Yeah, with your blue top and dangly earrings. Seriously, Elena, you have to be careful. Do you want me to accompany you to the border? I really don’t like you going out like this when Diego is in the neighborhood. There’s no telling if that guy will listen to the boss’ order to leave you alone.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. Can I borrow your jacket?”

I finish getting ready, sending glances at the clock from time to time. Damn, I can’t keep still, and I’m an hour early! Nate proposed we meet at The Rain, the nightclub where we first met. It’s deep in his territory, surprisingly. Is it because he can’t go too far from the hospital?

Boyan’s recent texts explained the situation to both me and Daniel. The King finally found his lost mate. She’s in critical condition, hence he and Nathaniel were appointed to watch her these last few days. Poor girl… At least she was finally found and reunited with her fated mate. I wonder what it’s like to be chosen as the King’s partner.

Gloomy thoughts of Nate’s former fated mate come to haunt me again. Moon Goddess, I hate thinking about it.

I sigh and grab my keys, putting on my shoes.

“Babe, you’re an hour early!” exclaims Danny, shocked.

“I can have a drink while I wait, okay? And you need some peace and quiet to study, no?”

“Don’t use me as your excuse, you impatient babe!”

I stick my tongue out at him and leave the apartment. Daniel’s not wrong, I’m just so excited and restless that I’m embarrassed at myself. I check my phone and Nate’s text again, but nothing has changed. I walk out to the parking lot, looking for Daniel’s car when I suddenly hear a noise behind me. I turn around by reflex to check, and almost immediately growl.

Diego’s there on a huge bike.

“Going somewhere, love?”

Oh, Moon Goddess, I don’t want to deal with that asshole right now. I ignore him and keep walking to the car, a bit faster. I hear him loudly start his bike, and he suddenly rides right in front of me, so close he almost runs over my feet!

“What the hell, Diego! Fuck off!” I yell.

“You’re well dressed, mi amor. Where are you going at this time?”

“It’s none of your fucking business.”

When is he going to understand that I want him to leave me alone, for fuck’s sake? I just can’t stand the sight of him, why does he have to follow me everywhere!

“Tell me, could I accompany you there? We could talk.”

I glare at him, using all the hatred I have. My wolf is furious and growling too.

“I don’t want to see you; I don’t want to talk to you. Fuck off, Diego, I can even say it in Spanish if you want! Vete a la mierda! Joderte! ”

“Wow, calm down, amor.”

“Don’t ask me to calm down! I can’t stand you, why the hell can’t you leave me alone?”

“Really? That’s all you got? What, you’re going to ignore me? Until when? Are you going to stay pissed at me forever? Can’t we talk?”

“Moon Goddess, I made it clear, Diego, I have nothing to talk to you about! I’m so done with you and your shit! I’ve moved on! From you, and everything!”

He growls, and I have to take a step back cautiously.

“You’re my girlfriend, Elena. Just because we fought, doesn’t mean we–”

I laugh. It’s nervous and irrepressible. Does he have any idea how ridiculous he is right now? I need a minute to calm down, while Diego is staring at me with shocked eyes.

“I was your girlfriend, Diego. We are done. Do you get that? You and I, it ended five years ago. I am not that girl who needed you all the time and was crazy about you. I’ve moved on, I don’t need or want you in my life anymore. Actually, I want you to stay as far away from me as possible, got it?”

He growls, seriously pissed this time.

“Is that what you have to say? Do you expect me to believe this? This ridiculous grown woman act? Who are you kidding, Elena? You love me. You’re obsessed with me, that’s why you’re still so mad at me.”

“I’m mad at the man who killed my child!” I scream. “I went to jail for what I did! Yes, I am fucking mad for ever having loved a jerk like you! But guess what? It’s. Fucking. Over. Get that through your thick skull, Diego. You’re nothing but a bastard from my past to me, you get it? Do you really think I still love you? Then I have some breaking news: I’m over you!”

Before I can even react, Diego suddenly grabs my wrist and tightens his grip so hard I cry out. I react with a pure shot of adrenaline and use my free elbow to hit him in the solar plexus. He lets go by surprise, and I take a few steps back, raising my hands, ready to fight if he wants to. He gets off his bike, and I think he’s about to hit me, but someone suddenly grabs my shoulder to pull me back.

“Levi!”

Daniel and Levi ran over, one holding me and the other in between me and Diego. Levi is growling furiously at my ex.

“Last fucking warning, Diego. You get away from her right now.”

“What… you’re acting like Prince Charming again, Levi? Ready to be the good puppy, as always?” Diego snickers.

But Daniel’s brother is too smart to fall for Diego’s petty provocations. Instead, he takes a step back and suddenly puts his arm around my shoulders.

“I told you to stay the fuck away from Elena. Get close to my princess again and I’ll rip your head off, Diego, alpha or not.”

I finally see a hint of doubt in Diego’s eyes. He glances back and forth between me and Levi, and I finally get it. He’s wondering if Levi’s my boyfriend now.

“Yeah, she’s moved on, dickhead,” adds Daniel, with a smirk.

What are these two playing at!

“ What the heck are you idiot brothers doing? ”

“ This guy won’t leave you alone. And we can’t exactly tell him whom you’ve really been seeing, right? ”

“ It’s fine, Elena. Just play the part until that idiot goes away. ”

“Are you going to ruin date night, or do I have to chase you away?” growls Levi.

I can’t believe they are pulling this kind of cheap play. This is so freaking ridiculous. Why do I have to play pretend with Levi just so Diego will leave me alone? Damn, that jerk really hurt my wrist.

“You’re lying,” mutters Diego, suspicious.

“It is what it is. I told you, I moved on. Now fuck off before I call Clark for real.”

I don’t like the idea, but if that can help get him off my back… Levi growls at Diego, as a warning. My ex keeps looking at us, skeptical, before starting his bike and finally riding away. I let out a big sigh and turn to Levi.

“Thanks. What are you doing here?”

“I came to drop Danny’s books by your place. I heard you arguing with that jackass. Are you okay?”

I check my wrist. Damn, it’s red and swollen. That jerk almost broke it.

“I’m okay, it should be healed in a few days.”

“No, no, babe, let me at least get you a bandage from upstairs!”

Daniel runs off to our place to get the first aid kit, and I lean against the car with Levi. I sigh.

“That was a stupid lie, Lev.”

“Oh, whatever. As long as it can get him off your back.”

If only it would be that simple; I'm fully aware of Levi’s feelings for me. We’ve never talked about it, but we both know that I know. He’s just way too nice and understanding to voice it out loud, and I’m too much of a coward to face it.

“Were you going out?”

I nod. Levi is turning a blind eye to my little outings to the Velvet Moon territory. I don’t know how we convinced him to ignore it, but he never mentions Nate and just helps cover for me.

“I’ll accompany you to the border?”

“What?”

But before he can answer, Daniel comes back and helps me bandage my painful wrist. I hope I hurt him with my elbow, that dickhead! Once I’m bandaged, Levi insists on driving me there. We take Danny’s car and chat about trivial stuff until we get to the club. I don’t feel too good about Levi being here. He shouldn't have come, even less than me. Hopefully, no one will say a thing.

“Thank you for driving me.”

“Do you want me to come pick you up later?”

“Don’t worry Lev, I’ll text Danny. Good night?”

“Good night, princess.”

I give him a smile before getting out of the car and watch him drive away. Gosh, what are you thinking, Levi? That was a bit awkward. I wish I could just see him as an older brother.

I walk off to the club. Despite that stupid encounter with Diego, I’m still about twenty minutes early. I keep looking at my phone, but I don’t get any news from Nate. I order a drink and head upstairs. I don’t even have to ask or hesitate anymore; the staff knows who I am. What a change compared to my first time here…

To my surprise, the VIP floor is crowded. There might be a special event or something, a lot of people are here and well dressed. Thank Moon Goddess I picked one of my fancier skirts. I’m bored and sipping my cocktail when I suddenly feel two arms around me.

“Moon Goddess, I missed you.”

Nate’s lips are already on my shoulder, kissing me restlessly from behind, all the way to my neck. He doesn’t even seem to care about the crowd around us, he is covering my skin in kisses, caressing my arms, and holding me close. Moon Goddess, I missed him too.

I turn around and shamelessly kiss him, feeling the taste of his lips for the first time in what seems like forever. He suddenly stops and growls.

“What’s that smell?”

“What?”

“You have another man’s smell on you,” he growls, frowning.

Shit, probably Levi’s. With his arm around me earlier it can only be him. Wait, does that really matter now? I put my glass down on a table and grab Nate’s shirt.

“Just a friend, Nate.”

“Your friends hug you often?”

I roll my eyes at him. Really? Now?

“Seriously, Nate, let it go, I’ve had enough jealous disputes for today!”

“What, what jealous disputes? With whom? Your ex? Is that his scent?”

I grab his collar and pull him behind me, all the way to the bathroom. It’s so not classy, but I growl at two girls who were fixing their makeup for them to leave us alone. At least now I don’t have to yell over the crowd and the music.

“No, my ex hasn’t touched me except for this!” I growl, showing him my injured wrist.

Nathaniel immediately frowns, and I hear his wolf growling in anger. He takes my hand to look at my injury, but I keep it away.

“He did this? Your ex?”

Shit, I should have kept quiet about it. I sigh and decide to tell him the truth.

“Yes, he did. I told him to leave me alone, he didn’t like it, and Levi intervened to help me so Diego would back off. That’s it. Happy?”

“No.”

Of course, he’s even angrier now. I can’t believe we are having an argument about this. I wanted to see him again and have a good time, not talk about Diego or Levi!

“I told you I had issues with my pack, Nate. I’ll deal with it, okay?”

“He fucking hurt you, Elena. Don’t tell me you can ‘handle’ that kind of asshole who does this to you!”

Shit, why does he have to get so protective now… I put my arms around his neck and kiss him. I know I’m cheating but he just can’t refuse me. And I’m right. After insisting a bit, Nate puts his arm around my waist, a hand on my ass, and kisses me back. I missed him so much… I kiss him back hungrily, caressing his neck and grabbing his hair, feeling the heat rising. I want him. I feel him sliding a hand under my top, caressing my back, looking for my skin to touch. I catch my breath for a second, but Moon Goddess, that’s not going to last.

“Tell me there’s a lock on that door,” I whisper.

I feel him snicker against my lips, and his hands lift my skirt up.

“No one will intrude,” he promises while touching me.

I gasp.

It's been too good of a night… We had some quick but incredibly good sex in the bathroom, and I came fast like a beginner. Then, we went back to dancing, stuck to each other like a young couple intoxicated with each other. And on the way back, Nate just won’t let go of my hand for more than a couple seconds while driving to his place. It’s a quiet ride… and I’m getting tense as we enter his apartment. Everything is going far too well.

“So, I guess we’re back together.”

Oh, Moon Goddess, I knew it…

“We’re not, Nate,” I answer, calmly but firmly. “What I said last time still stands.”

He drops his keys, but I ignore him, walking all the way to his bed and sitting there. This bed is all it should be about. At least for now, I can’t afford for us to be more than that. Nate sighs and comes to sit next to me.

“I don’t want to bind you to a serious relationship,” I say.

“Tell me why again.”

“I already told you, Nate. Neither of us is ready for that. We each have our own responsibilities, and honestly, I’m already dealing with a lot now that my ex is back.”

He glances at my wrist; we both know what the real issue is.

“Can we keep things how they are?” I insist.

“Don’t you trust me?” he suddenly asks.

Trust? He’s really the one bringing up trust now?

“Who doesn’t trust whom, exactly? What about that file, Nate?”

“I told you, that wasn’t my intention,” he . “I didn’t ask for it.”

“See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. I don’t want your pack watching me, Nate. And even if you manage to make them stop, we are not supposed to be together. We have different packs, different interests.”

He rolls his eyes, but I won’t be the one to give up.

“Nate, let’s just go back to the start,” I ask him, taking his hand. “To our promise.”

“That will not change my feelings for you.”

… What? His feelings for me? I thought we were supposed to keep our feelings out of it. He literally looked me in the eye and said he didn’t love me just days ago! I take a deep breath to calm myself down. Don’t give in, Elena, don’t.

“I know. It won’t change mine either, Nate. Let’s just… take the easy way until we can sort things out, okay?”

“When is that, then?”

I hesitate. He won’t give up until I give him a real deadline…

“Not until my ex is out of the picture, and your brother sorts things out with his mate. I know it’s complicated for your pack right now. Let’s just wait and see how it turns out, okay?”

“Promise me something,” he says.

“What?”

“If you ever need me, call me. I don’t want you to hesitate, Elena. I’m serious. Use your wolf. Call me if you need me.”

I can’t help but smile. He can be so unbelievably sweet at times… and it makes it even harder.

“You too, then.”

“All right,” he chuckles. “I promise.”

I lean in to kiss him, softly.

“And when is all of this going to be sorted out?” he insists.

I roll my eyes.

“Moon Goddess, Nate, shut up and get naked.”