Flutter

Flutter: Dix

           "Are you serious?" Nora said, sitting up and climbing off the desk. "He's trying to make me feel welcome. That's more than I can say for you!"

           "I do not care what his intentions are." 

           "Are you jealous or something?"

           That was the only question Nora sought fit to ask. It didn't make sense that Quinton would get so possessive. I mean Blaine was the closest thing to a friend Quinton had.

           "Don't be ridiculous." Quinton gave a dry chuckle. "Jealousy would imply that I had some mundane human attraction for you. As a wolfen creature it is my instinct to mark my female. Don't get another notions going in your head."

             "I would never expect someone like you to actually be able to feel anything." Nora replied tersely.

           "Then you won't be disappointed. But as my mate you will keep your distance from other men. Whomever they may be. Now I believe that you should go. Alert Mary that she may prepare an extra place for Tifa."

           Nora awkwardly gathered herself and rushed towards the door, eager to leave.

           "Oh and Nora?" Quinton said, just as her hand touched the door knob.

           "Yes...?"

           "It would do you well to heed my warning. I don't want to have to talk to you about this again. Is that clear?"

           Nora gave a rigid nod before leaving the office.

           Nora took a deep breath in the hallway. "Why must it always be like this?" Nora thought to herself and she trudged down the hallway, off to find Mary. "Can't we have one conversation that doesn't result in arguing or..." Nora didn't finish that thought and tried to ignore that her lips were buzzing. Quinton had caught her off guard, but she couldn't say that she regretted it. Though Quinton angered her, Nora was left feeling relieved. Relieved like someone who takes a drink of water and discovers how thirsty they actually were. 

           "Nora? Are you alright?"

           Mary appeared in the hall, a dust rag in hand.

           "Oh! Yes, yes, of course Mary. No trouble here." Nora said, forcing a smile.

           "You were taking a while so I wanted to see what the hold up was about."

           "Oh, yes. He said that Tifa could stay for dinner."

           "Thank you for confirming. From what I can tell your powers of perusal are quite advanced."  Mary gave Nora a wink. Nora's eyes squinted, not so sure as to what she was implying.

           "Erm, right. I'm going to go find Tifa and tell her the good news. She must be wondering where I am. Excuse me, Mary."

           Nora bypassed Mary and headed through the house to the patio, where she'd left Tifa. Nora passed a hanging mirror and stopped to peer at her reflection. Her hair was messy, her face still flushed and her lips were swollen. Nora grimaced and took a few moments to make herself look more presentable. Running her hands through her hair, Nora caught whiff of a unfamiliar fragrance. Bringing a clump of hair to her nose, Nora inhaled. Her eyes opened wide as she recognized the scent. Nora realized that Quinton wasn't joking about marking her. Nora quickly smelled up and down her arms and her clothing, finding Quinton's aroma drenched on her. Nora threw her hands in the air. It was bad enough that he ravaged her in the office, but now everyone was made aware of it. Nora leaned against the wall, her eyes to the ceiling.