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He continues on without a word though, eventually finding a place away from everyone else to sit and rest. It’s not until the jogger makes his second lap that Rhenn actually makes a sound, and it’s barely an annoyed humph.

I hadn’t noticed if the man’s eyes found me this go-round. I wouldn’t care either way, but it would seem Rhenn isn’t a fan of strange men letting their gaze wander too close. Funny, considering the last time we spoke he compared me to a toxic plant. Which happened to be directly after he had his tongue down my throat. Among other things in other places. I’m not sure whose mood swings hurt my head more: mine or his.

Still, the idea of him actually being jealous is amusing to me, and I decide to test the theory. Pulling out my Thornlink, I scroll through my contacts until I find Dax and shoot him a quick text. We haven’t talked much since the party, so I’m not expecting him to answer right away. He does.

Dax: Hey, gorgeous. Finally realize how much you missed me? ;)

I laugh at his response, which immediately has Rhenn glancing my way.

Sumner: Oh, totally.

I don’t say more, mostly because I don’t actually miss him, and partly because it feels wrong, like I shouldn’t be texting him at all. I’m not fully sure why I am. To get a reaction from Rhenn, sure, but he probably doesn’t even care.

Another chime of my link. Aaannnd a shirtless picture. I guess the men here are no different than the ones back home. Though, with a torso like that, I’d probably want to show it off too. And it’s definitely more welcome than an unsolicited pic of his junk would have been, so maybe I shouldn’t be complaining.

I reply with a simple “Skipped leg day, huh?” including the winky face he sent me, then set my link on the grass beside me. It was clear by the photo he most definitely did not skip any day, but I’m too sarcastic to say something genuine, and too bad at flirting to even try. Which I guess kind of defeats the whole point of texting him in the first place.

Rhenn has his elbows propped over his legs and his chin in his hands while he looks out absently at the park. He’s either stewing on something or deep in thought. I can never tell.

“Care to take me along?” I ask, breaking him out of his trance.

“Huh?” Even as he turns to face me, his eyes are hollow, staring through me. Forget deep in thought, he’s entirely lost in something. It’s a look on him I’m seeing more and more.

“If you’re going to leave, maybe I can join,” I offer sheepishly. “You know, keep you company.”

“Leave?”

My link chimes again. I ignore it.

Rhenn’s focus falls to his lap as he realizes I’m referring to whatever’s going on in his mind. “Sorry, Vix. Solo trip.”

“Want to talk about it?”

His haunting grays rise. This time, they’re here with me. “Just got a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

“Does it have to do with me? With…what we did?”

“Not exactly.”

So, at least a little, then?

He must sense my unease, or maybe he sees it on my face, because he playfully bumps my knee with his own. “Let’s just say I have something coming up that I’m not sure I’m ready for.”

“What is it?”

The question earns me a head shake. “Nothing for you to concern yourself with, little Vixen.”

His hands rest at his sides. I place mine on top of his, understanding it’s support he needs, even if I don’t know why. It’s an action he seems not to anticipate, based on the way his body tenses a moment before relaxing again.

He doesn’t try to shake me off or pull away, and I’m glad for it. Even more so when he begins to run his thumb against my palm.

“You’re not what I expected.” His voice is quiet. It has something in my chest tightening with the caution behind it.

“How so?”

He breathes in, deciding now to pull his hand from mine. The disappointment is only momentary as he glides it over my back instead, slipping beneath the shirt. The touch is light, like he’s scared of too much contact. It only makes the beating beneath my ribs pound.

Flames follow the path he traces, curling his fingers at the base of my spine. “You’re so soft.” His voice is a low whisper, and I can’t tell if he means it as a compliment or not. There’s almost a hint of regret lacing the words, like it’s hard for him to even say. “Everything about you drives me fucking mad, and I don’t know why anymore.”