Page 4 of Eternal

His eyes.Standing closer, they’re even more beautiful than they were before. His hair almost reaches his shoulders and is tousled nonchalantly. It’s a different look than everyone else in the room with their clean-cut hair. He carries himself as if he doesn’t answer to anyone. Like he’s a god. There’s a peek of a scar that runs across the top of his eyebrow, so faint it’s easy to miss. He raises the glass to his mouth, takes a sip, and steps forward as Luca is trying to recapture my attention.

“Freya?” Luca is trying to meet my eyes, but his agitation is radiating off of him. He reminds me too much of Tristan.

My eyes snap back to him, and I find myself in the same headspace I was in when I just wanted to appease him.

“Yes? I’m sorry. I was deep in thought,” I apologize. I’m afraid of what would happen if I’m snarky again as I realize there’s burning rage in his eyes.

“I asked if you would follow me to somewhere more private.” Luca enunciates each word.

He starts to reach out to grab my arm, when that menacing presence behind Luca is now, partially in front of me, towering over Luca and me. I barely reach his shoulders, but I feel his darkness that follows him everywhere envelop me like it’s protecting me.

I peer over at my father, wondering why he isn’t doing anything. He’s just standing there watching this interaction while a complete stranger is stepping in. He’s doing everything in his power to not meet my pleading stare. What is it about Luca that instills the fear of god in him? What does Luca have over him? He’s my father. He should be stepping in to save his daughter, not offering me up like a sacrificial lamb to the devil himself.

“What do you need with her alone?” Soren's voice is dangerous and cruel.

“Soren, it is extremely rude to interrupt a conversation.” Luca scolds him, “Forgive my son, Freya. He has no manners.” He attempts to brush off Soren.

There’s a gut instinct to defend him immediately, “I suppose that’ll happen if he’s raised by parents who aren’t present. The type that thinks children should be seen not heard.”

Soren is grinning, watching as Luca’s eyes widen, now realizing he’s walked into a den of lions. His smile is wicked, filled with mischief and wonder.

Luca’s jaw tightens, and he makes an attempt to reach out for me when Soren places me completely behind him, out of reach of Luca.

“That woman needs to be put in her place, Soren,” Luca hisses, pissed blind and teeth baring with each word.

“If you lay a single finger onthat woman,I will fucking kill you,” Soren growls, staring Luca down.

My gut clenches as I watch their staredown, Luca finally backing down and muttering something under his breath before leaving. His hand comes to grab my father by the shoulder dragging him away from Soren and I. His knuckles are turning white from the grip Luca has on him while seething in his ear. Luca is beyond pissed off, and probably scolding my father for not doing something about my mouth. I’ve never been one to conform to the rules of my family, so Luca's efforts are for nothing.

Soren’s shoulders lower like he’s just taken a deep breath, before turning back to me. “I’m sorry about him. He’s a cockroach. Are you okay?” Soren’s eyes meet mine, and I can tell he’s holding himself back from reaching out to touch me.

My eyebrows furrowed together, why wouldn’t I be okay? I’ve heard worse from men frankly. It’s sad how desensitized I’ve become to men feeling like they own women.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for stepping in.” My voice sounds breathy as I take a closer look at him.

“Want another drink?” He offers to take my empty glass from me.

I nod and hand him my glass, but now I don’t know what to do with my hands. He’s intimidating, and if any of what Serena says is true, I need to run the other direction. My mind and body cease communication. Or perhaps they are in sync since I feel like I want to be closer to him. It terrifies the hell out of me honestly. I should be. I never imagined I’d want another man touching me since Tristan. Never imagined wanting to know another man intimately. Yet, as his hand extends a new drink out for me, I can’t help but catch his hands. How slender his fingers are, yet his hands are massive. I wonder how they’d feel running along my body. I shouldn't think like this. I don’t even know him, but yet my body is reacting like I’m catching up with an old friend.

“Thank you for the drink,” I tell him as I attempt to leave. I am already awkward as fuck in front of an incredibly gorgeous man. I don’t need to make things worse.

His mouth quirks up in a small smile, “You feel like you’re out of place at this thing, huh? Don’t worry, I do too. This is the first time I’ve come to one of these things in oh, I don’t know, two years.”

I turn my attention to him and meet his gaze, there’s amusement that dances in them. “I would be lying if I said I want to be here. Frankly, I’d rather be back at my apartment.”

“And where exactly is your apartment?”

Damn, a man who is bold. I kinda like it.“I traveled here from Seattle. I’m staying with my sister for right now.”

Fuck, why did I share more information than I need to?

Our conversation is interrupted by the emcee talking over the speakerphone. “Attention ladies and gentlemen, it is time for our silent auction!”

Soren leans over, “Would you like to go somewhere quieter?” His lips brush against the shell of my ear with each word. His cologne smells like eucalyptus and spearmint, and I want to encase myself in it. My mind is a haze.

He leans back again to give me more space. My brain is telling me I need to leave, join my sister again, but my mouth is telling him yes. He grabs my hand, and takes long strides, pulling me through the crowd, seeking solace in a lounge away from prying eyes. We start up the stairs, and Soren stops, mid-step pulling me to his side along the wall.

“Everyone in this room is watching us. Just keep your head down. I’ll try to block the view of you as much as possible,” Soren murmurs to me.

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