Page 98 of Tainted Romance

"Did you want some help, Zane?"

He froze. Not saying a word. My heartbeat began to flutter faster and faster as I waited for his answer. When a few minutes had passed, and he still hadn't said anything, I knew I had to add something onto what I said.

"After all, I do work here. It's my job to help you." I chewed on my bottom lip, just as he turned around to face me. He looked me up and down - again. Why did he keep doing that? And why was there always this boiling rage in his eyes when he did!

"Or I can leave you alone, it’s up to you," I added quickly.

"Don't want to get you into trouble with your boss because you’re helping a friend." His eyes pierced through mine like they always did when we had eye contact. It was as if he could see inside my soul, past the walls I put up to the world.

Then my mind floated back to what he said.

Friend.

We were friends?

Was he mad?

"Um, well, I guess we aren't friends really, so I'll be doing my job."

He scoffed quietly, muttering something I didn't catch.

"Well, let's get started," I said, brushing past him and heading for the department where I was sure he would find something he liked.

"What size do you wear?" I threw over my shoulder.

"Large."

"Really?"

"You saying I'm fat, Winters."

"No!" I scoffed, "I meant how could such a muscular, tattooed man like yourself, befitting into a large. I would haveguessed an extra-large for sure."

His firm fingers wrapped around my arm, pulling us to a stop and once again I was drained into those soul-sucking eyes.

"Can't tell if you are insulting me or flirting with me?" His eyes reached deep into mine, searching for the answer. Surely this wasn't normal for him to reach so deep inside me.

I swallowed sharply, prying myself out of his grasp. "A friend would know I hate being touched by strangers."

Every part of me told me I shouldn't fear him, but his appearance was enough to scare any normal girl away.

His face melted with disappointment, even if it was only for a few seconds I caught it.

So, I mentally wanted to slap myself for being mean to a guy that I have been crushing on for months.

"Zane, you don't know me. That's ok. I know I'm nobody special at school so don't feel sorry for me, or act like you want to be my friend because I knowwho I am."

He scoffed loudly and shook his head out of frustration.

"Fine. You be a worker, and I'll be a customer. Just show me where the darn tops are."

So I did, and he didn't say another word, and neither did I.

***

“Winters, if you drop those darn books of yours again, I swear I’ll glue them to your hands,” Blake grunted as he once again collected my textbooks off the floor.

“Sorry, I’m just clumsy.”

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