Page 17 of Monster's Mistake

Her lips part, drawing my attention to them and making it almost impossible to think straight.

“I feel strange,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “Like I actually want you to touch me.”

“You do?”

“Yes. And it’s weird. I never want people to touch me.” She glances down at the floor. “But with you, I think I do.”

“I didn’t realise you didn’t like it.”

She bites her bottom lip. “No. I know that makes me weird...”

“It doesn’t,” I assure her. “If you don’t like people touching you, then you don’t.” And it’s something I should be careful of now I know. I don’t want to change her feelings towards me for the worse.

Nati gives me a weak smile. “I’m sorry if that ruins some of your date plans.”

“Why would it ruin my date plans?” I ask.

“Well...kissing involves touching. And beyond that.”

My whole body heats in response to her words. “Is that what you’re thinking about?”

A blush spreads over her cheeks and she looks away. “Not immediately, but I’m notnotthinking about it.”

“We’ll go at your speed,” I assure her. “Whatever you need.” It would be torture, but I don’t want to risk losing her, not when I’m so close to getting exactly what I want.

There’s a lot of indecision written all over her face, and I want to reach out and touch her to offer some kind of comfort, but I can’t. Especially after what she’s just said.

“I should get back to my dorm room before curfew,” she says.

“I thought you wanted to see the stars.”

“I did, but we’re not going to see any from here.” She gestures to the cloud-covered sky.

I nod. She isn’t wrong about that.

“I’m looking forward to our date, Meic.”

“Me too.” I flash her what I hope is a friendly smile. “Sleep well, Nati.”

“Same.” She looks as if she wants to say something else, or maybe even do something else, but she doesn’t give any indication of what that might be.

Instead, she waves and disappears in the direction of the dorm rooms, leaving me standing in front of an open window, looking out at a starless sky.

She seemed disappointed that she didn’t get to see anything, but maybe I can use that to my advantage.

If stars are what she wants, then stars are what I can give her, I just have to work out exactly how.

CHAPTER 7

Nati

My bed is coveredin all kinds of different outfits, but I still have no idea what I’m supposed to wear for a date. It’s been so long since I’ve been on one that it feels virtually impossible to choose.

The door opens, and I look up, unsurprised to find Anja stepping into our room.

She raises an eyebrow. “Dare I ask?”

“I have a date,” I respond.

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