Page 4 of Chased By the Fairy

Straddling the man’s waist, Sorrel tried to breathe through his strained breaths.Calm, I need to remain calm.

“I-I asked you a question.”

The stranger’s head dipped to the side, just as his dazzling grin flashed white teeth as it grew. “I came to say hello.”

“Funny way of showing it,” Sorrel answered. “Do you usually sneak onto people’s lands uninvited?”

Sorrel’s gaze lifted to the kitchen window at the whistle of the teapot. Greta would be back outside soon.

Should he call for help? Bit useless, since he doubted Greta would hear his tiny voice, even more so with her dulled hearing.

“My name’s Cypress, and I really don’t mean you any harm.” Wrists still trapped by Sorrel, he flattened his hands in surrender. “I’ve just seen you and thought I would introduce myself.”

“Seen me?” His colour paled as he brought his gaze back to Cypress’ face below him. “Have... you beenwatchingme?”

“Not at all.” His face softened and his eyes crinkled with humour. “I heard a bell and then found you helping out on the farm. I thought it was strange. I’d never met you before and noticed you were by yourself.”

“I’m not.” Sorrel’s tone was instantly defensive and his grip on Cypress’ wrists tightened. “I have Greta.”

“I meant someone of our size.” His tone implied he wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn’t do it.

Now that things were settling, Sorrel allowed his gaze to roam over him.

He’d thought they appeared honey coloured, but Cypress’ eyes were actually like reddish-brown maple leaves covered in sticky, dripping sap. They were molten, eliciting a tingle in his mind at the richness of them. The man’s cheekbones were high, but it was difficult to see just how sharp his jaw was with the dark red, almost hazelnut-coloured beard covering his jawline, chin,and upper lip. It was short and neatly trimmed. The colour and length matched the hair around the sides of his head. The top was longer and in lighter shades, almost boyishly blown back like the wind had shaped it.

A few freckles dotted his cheeks, forehead, and nose, but they were light and gentle – barely noticeable.

Sorrel was frozen as he stared down, unsure of why his heart decided to beat so strangely in his chest. His gaze bounced from Cypress’ eyes to the rounded arches of his ears, then to the sharp angle of his nose, digesting the handsome person.

His mouth dried like he was suddenly thirsty.

When Sorrel didn’t say anything, unsure how to rebuff his comment and no longer sure of how to speak, Cypress cocked a brow.

“Do you usually sit on men’s laps?”

Heat instantly rose into Sorrel’s cheeks and he turned his gaze straight downwards, realising he was still straddling Cypress’ waist, his arse precariously pressed against the other man’s groin.

His heart clenched in sheer mortification, especially when he realised his body was tingling in a way he wasn’t accustomed to. He jumped to his feet to put space between them.

Eyeing Sorrel intently, Cypress slowly got to his feet. “Your face has suddenly gone pink. Are you okay?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sorrel answered, folding his arms across his chest. He ducked slightly behind a leaf to hide his reaction.

“I think that was a lie. Did you like sitting on my lap?”

A stray piece of saliva sucked into his lungs, and he coughed as he choked. He shoved the leaf away.

“N-nope!” Sorrel turned to him once he’d managed to save himself, squeaking out, “My name’s Sorrel.”

Fluttering snagged his attention. Things that, when unmoving, were so clear they were invisible, but cascaded glittering red dust when in motion.

“Oh my god. You... you’re a–” Sorrel pointed at his wings.

“I’m a flower fairy.” Cypress placed his hand over his stomach and bowed in greeting. Then his head cocked. “What are you, though?”

Cypress eyed him over, and Sorrel’s shoulders turned inwards at being examined. “I don’t know.”

“No matter.” Cypress reached forward, and Sorrel noticed a certain superior confidence in his steps as he came closer. The flower fairy held his hand out, palm up, to him. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

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