Forbidden Bonds

Chapter 2: Mission

Clothes flying, launching through the air.

Shoes tossing, turning, flipping, and thunking to the ground.

I want to look good. I want to look so breathtakingly beautiful that Callum has no choice but to ask me on a date.

My hands are plundering into my drawers, making a mess, but I need to find them; My red heart stockings with the bright red bows.

He always seems to love my quirky fashion sense, always paying me compliments, boosting my confidence.

I'm in my last drawer when I finally remember that I left them hanging in the bathroom to dry. I slap my forehead in frustration before grabbing them off the towel wrack.

I love the way they look with the black dress I found scavenging through my favorite thrift store. I'm just pulling on my black t-strap heels when Nix walks in.

"You're getting awfully dressed up for morning coffee." Her eyebrow raised contemplatively.

I pull out the sides of my skirt, turning from side to side before shrugging. "It's about lunch time now though."

I grab my bright red lipstick, finishing up the last touch to my makeup. I see my sister roll her eyes at me in the reflection of the mirror. "Don't let dad catch you leaving the house like that."

I don't see what the problem is though. I'm actually dressed quite modestly for my age. The hemline reaches all the way to my knees in fact, covering my bows. I don't want to let him see everything quite yet. He hasn't earned the right to see my bows.

I grab my red cardigan on the way out, covering the few tattoos I have and adding a bit more red to my ensemble. Is it too much though? I ask myself. Well I don't really mind if it is.

I decide to take my car today. These heels were definitely not made for walking.

It's not too far to town, but I make it there in less than the ten minutes it usually takes to drive up.

I park in the closest spot I see and cut the engine. I need to take a small breather. If he doesn't ask me out today, I will have to take matters into my own hands.

My walk is steady as I make my way through the door, the chiming of bells sounding at my entrance.

"Welcome to Read's Cafe." Callum's voice always has a certain affect on me. I always feel like I have to reign in my wolf side when I'm around him.

I smooth my skirt, nervous as I look up to see him over the counter. His curly reddish hair is hanging over one eye as he pours milk into a coffee cup.

When I don't speak, he finally looks up.

Our eyes meet, his sparkling green, so beautiful. "I thought you weren't coming today." His smile is devilishly handsome. "Have a seat. I'll bring it to you." Oh I want him to bring something and coffee isn't it.

I shake away my naughty thoughts and gracefully make my way over to my favorite corner chair, pulling out my book and opening it to the page I had leafed from the day before.

It's not long before a steaming coffee is set beside me. I look up, giving him a smile, only it's not him. It's his not so hot co-worker Jori.

My smile falters. "Thank you." I say politely and I watch him walk until I see Callum. He doesn't seem busy, in fact, he's never once sent Jori to bring my coffee before. Why is it different now?

I uncross my legs, sip my coffee and set it back down a moment later, burning my tongue. "Ouch.." I wave my hand in front of my mouth, inadvertently knocking my coffee onto the floor, splashing my legs in the process. "Barnacles." I yell quietly as I feel the sting of the hot liquid hit my thighs.

"Barnacles? That's a colorful word." Callum is beside me with a worried expression. Curse my nephews. I have to create all sorts of cuss words when they're around. "Are you okay? You're not hurt are you?" He has a napkin in his hand that I quickly grasp, pulling up my skirt to get at the stains that are quickly setting in.

A human wouldn't hear it of course, but I notice the way his breath intakes, the way his heartbeat picks up. I notice my bows are on full display and I quickly cover them up.

He clears his throat, taking the rag in his other hand and kneeling down to clean up the mess I made.

"No, please leave that to me.."

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad you didn't burn yourself." He won't look me in the eyes and I blow my bangs in frustration.

He's so close I can feel the heat of his body. His shoulders are so broad beside me. I only wish I could touch...

I shake my head. I don't want to scare him off.

He's almost done when I get the nerve to speak again, only to be cut off by him. "I'm sorry about your tights.."

This is my chance. "Um.. yo- You could make it up to me."

I really hope he takes the bate.

"I'll pay for the replacements." He utters quickly and is about to leave when I catch his arm, feeling tingles rush up my spine at the contact.

"No.. No I mean.." I chew my lip. I've been on this mission for months, trying and failing to get this sexy man to ask me out. If my heart stockings didn't work, then I have to take charge. "I mean you could maybe... Take me out to dinner?"

Silence.

Deafening silence.

I push my glasses up nervously. "I mean you don't have to it's just..." I start to ramble. I've completely screwed this.

I let my eyes look to his, let my ears listen to the sound of his heart that's started to pound. "I mean..."

He interrupts me. "I'm sorry. I was just shocked. I never thought you would ask me that, but yes. I would be happy to take you to dinner."

Did I hear that right?

"Really?" My eyes are wide, looking at him like he's crazy even though I'm definitely the crazy one.

His devilish grin is back, his momentary lapse of surprise over. "Of course I would. Are you free tomorrow night at 6?"

I bring my hand back to my side. "Of course. I could meet you here?" I don't want him to pick me up. I can't let the pack know about this.

"Sounds good. See you then." And he's sauntering away. And now I have to plan a whole new outfit! I can only hope my sister won't be around to notice this time.