Page 40 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

W here are we going?” I ask as we turn onto the motorway.

“Oxford.”

“Oxford?”

“Yup, we have enough time; besides, we’ll beat traffic on the bike. Just hold on.”

Happily.

Gods, he smells so good.

Oxford is under 40 minutes away. I’m not complaining if it means I can keep my arms around him. I smile in excitement as we leave Midnight Academy far behind.

Twenty minutes in, my heart still thumps loudly, still excited and giddy that I’m holding him, unable to believe that this is really happening. His compliment is still making my heart combust into a thousand butterflies.

Resting my head against his broad back, I admire the passing scenery. The setting sun is stunning, painting everything around us in a deep orange glow.

It’s soothing and beautiful.

“The sunset is breathtaking…” I murmur, wishing that those were the hues that would shine down on us day in and day out. But the most precious of things are often fleeting.

“It is peaceful, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I agree, my fingers brushing his abs slowly in a back-and-forth movement, not even realising what I’m doing until he places his hand over mine. “Sorry.” I blush.

He chuckles slightly but says nothing, and with the hand that is resting on top of mine, he now brushes circles over my knuckles, and just that is making my entire body hypersensitive.

We reach Oxford ten minutes later. The sun is now hidden for the night, and the streetlights are turned on, their glow illuminating the streets that are alive with activity.

He’s brought me to a street near the river where lots of shops are open, their windows illuminated with a variety of displays and the glowing lights of the restaurants and cafes, with tables outside their doors.

It’s bustling with so many people, all enjoying the evening.

My heart skips a beat as I look around. I have visited Oxford once or twice in the past, but I haven’t been to this place.

He planned and put thought into our date…

I can feel his eyes on me, and I turn to him. “This place is beautiful, thank you for bringing me here,” I say softly as he reaches over and unstraps my helmet.

He combs his fingers through my hair, and I touch it too. “Is it a mess?” I ask. He shakes his head.

“No, it’s as gorgeous as ever.”

I tuck a strand behind my ear and smile. “Thanks. I’ll know if you’re lying if people stare at me.”

“If they stare at you, it won’t be because your hair’s messy, which it isn’t.”

“Thanks.” I smile, trying not to stare at how good he looks with his windswept hair. Unlike me, he didn’t wear a helmet.

He pockets his keys and shoves his hands into his pockets. “Want to eat first or look around first?”

“Look around,” I answer, stepping closer to him.

We meld into the crowds. Some window displays I admire from the outside, others I’m curious enough to venture inside, admiring the small knick-knacks.

But one shop that sells crystals, fragrances and jewellery is one I enter without a moment’s hesitation.

The shop feels magical, maybe from the energy of the crystals in here. Either way, it’s soothing, and I admire the large array of jewellery and crystals. A few people are browsing, but it’s emptier than the other shops.

“Do you want it?” Jayce asks.

I look up from the set of three necklaces I’m holding. A moon, a sun and a star that all combine together to become one, each one on a beautiful, long gold chain set with different stones. Something about it pulls me to it with great intensity.

But it’s not magic, it’s just… perfect. But I didn’t bring my purse, I didn’t even think to. “No, thank you,” I say, trying to sound convincing. He cocks a brow, taking it from me.

“Remember that little secret about sensing a lie?” he asks in a low, cocky murmur.

I flush. “I… it’s just…”

“It reminds you of you, Alessandra and Heaven?” He voices what I’m thinking.

I nod. “Yeah, which do you think represents which of us?” I ask.

He looks down at it. “If it were me, I’d say them all, but I’m assuming from your perspective…” He trails off before holding up the star. “The star represents you.”

I nod. “You’re right. Like a star, I twinkle in the background, but when it comes to those I love, something ignites within me. Fierce and unwavering, showing who I am.”

“No wonder I’ve always liked stars,” he replies. “But you’ve never been in the background.”

I tilt my head. “Maybe for you, but I have. So, I think Alessandra would be the moon, and Heaven the sun.”

“Yet, you’re the most beautiful,” he counters, cupping the side of my face, his thumb brushing down my jaw.

I blush lightly.

I want to argue, but he isn’t going to listen to me. His eyes dip to my lips for a moment.

“Thanks…”

Our eyes meet before he looks at the woman behind the counter.

“Could you pack this up for us?” Jayce asks.

“Of course.” She smiles at us as I watch Jayce.

“No, you didn’t need to- I’ll pay you back.”

“No, you won’t. It’s a gift. I do work in case you’ve forgotten,” he reminds me.

Oh yes, he does work with his father.

“But still…” I trail off when he smoothly leans down, and before I can comprehend, he’s cut me off by pressing his lips lightly against mine. My entire body tingles, my heart pounding.

Gods…

“There, now we’re even. I’ve collected my payment,” he murmurs against my lips.

I can’t move, even as he moves back and begins browsing the jewellery, picking up a few items, whilst all I can do is stand here and stare at him, light-headed and a mushy mess.

How can he be so incredibly charming and have me completely smitten by just one gesture?

“Do you want anything else?” he asks as the woman packs up the items he’s purchased.

“No, thank you, this is more than enough,” I answer with a smile, watching as he pays. He picks up the bag, thanking the lady before he takes my hand and leads me out.

We leave the shop, stepping out into the cool air. I can feel his gaze on me and glance over at him. Our eyes meet, and I tilt my head. “So, when did you… start noticing me?” I ask.

He cocks a brow. “You’re pretty straightforward.”

I nod. “At times I can be, but I remember at a conference some years back, I accidentally asked you to dance with me, and you were really mean. You said, and I quote, ‘you’re not my type’,” I finish, imitating his tone.

“So, it had to be sometime after that, or then again… maybe much more recently?”

I’m confused now. He’s always been cold, so what changed?

“Na… It’s been some time. Yeah, back then, you would chat with Renji and were all smiles, and I knew when you asked me that you mistook me for Renji, so that annoyed me,” he admits grimly, not looking at me.

“So, was that jealousy, then?” I whisper innocently, poking his arm to make him look at me. He narrows his eyes as I try to soothe my jittery nerves at the idea of him being jealous because of me.

“No.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I found you annoying. You always demanded attention, and I hated that because you were a distraction.”

Nope, he doesn’t sound convincing at all.

I giggle. “I didn’t demand attention. I don’t think most people even noticed me. You were just annoyed at yourself because I stole your attention, and you didn’t know how to process that,” I reply, snidely.

He scoffs, but I can see the tiny smirk on his lips. “Ah, there’s that straight-A smartass.” He pokes his finger in my dimple.

I blush. “You didn’t deny it. I did notice that when Renji talked to me, you were pretty mean to him, but I always thought it was because I annoyed you and you didn’t want him near me.

I never once thought it would be because the future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack had a crush on me,” I tease, waiting for him to deny it.

But he doesn’t and simply looks at me with an annoyed expression, but his lack of words speaks far louder.

He didn’t deny it… gods.

“You had a crush on me…” I state in awe as it really hits me. “Wow…”

He shakes his head, and I laugh out loud.

“Alright, you’re finding that funny?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

But I can’t help it; somehow, that statement is like a breath of fresh air.

A beautiful, refreshing breath of fresh air.

But he isn’t enjoying the laughter at his expense, because he turns suddenly, wrapping one arm around my shoulders from behind as he tickles my waist and stomach.

I let out a shriek, giggling as I wriggle in his hold while he continues to tickle me. “I’m sorry! I’m- ah!” I burst into more laughter. “Ok, I’m sorry!”

He only stops when I need air, his hand flattening on my stomach as he caresses it slowly, and I realise just how we’re both pressed together.

I swallow, my mouth dry, and I’m still on edge, half expecting him to tickle me again.

I breathe heavily, trying to get my breath back, my core throbbing at the way his fingers are lightly brushing across my stomach, the way he’s pressed against me.

“Sorry…” I whisper, turning to look up at him, our noses inches apart, my heart beating as my smile slowly fades away, and I gaze into his gorgeous, green eyes.

It’s just us. The world has fallen silent, save for the beating of his heart that sounds like a soothing drum. “For what it’s worth… you were my first crush, too.”

There’s a silent questioning in his eyes. Then, where did Seth come in? He knows! I had a feeling he would have clicked, but that’s just been confirmed.

I look around. I won’t be able to say anything when I’m pressed up against him like this, and his eyes are burning into me.

“Ice cream?” I look towards the ice cream stall, where they are making fresh ice cream.

“Sure.”