Page 17 of Branded Hearts

“Sorry, I tend to apologise a lot when I’m…” Her words trail off.

“When you’re what?”

“Nervous,” she whispers and avoids meeting my eyes.

“Why are you nervous?”

“Y-you make me nervous.” Her eyes widen again, and she shakes her head. “Sorry, I’m just mumbling.”

I don’t know what I was expecting, but it sure as fuck wasn’t that.

“I make you nervous?”

“Y-yes.”

Well, fuck. A strange sense of satisfaction washes over me at her admission. Why does it please me to know that she’s affected by my presence?

“Why?” I ask, genuinely curious now.

“I-I don’t know,” she stammers. “You just... you seem so... I mean, you’re older, and... I’m just... I’m just me.” Her words tumble out in a rush, and she fidgets with her fingers, unable to meet my gaze.

As I listen to her, a sense of tenderness washes over me. She’s so genuine, so unassuming. “Just you? And what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing, I’m... it’s nothing.”

I reach out, placing a hand on her thigh. “Amelia, you’re more than just you. You’re kind, thoughtful, and incredibly sweet. Don’t sell yourself short.”

She looks up at me, surprise flickering in her eyes. “You think so?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Her blush deepens, and I can’t deny the rush it gives me. As much as I hate to admit it, her nervousness lights a fire inside me. Leaning in slightly, I notice she does the same, her breath quickening.

Caught up in the moment, her scent surrounds me, tempting me toreach out and touch her, to feel her skin beneath my fingertips. But I hold back, my rational side reminding me of the lines I shouldn’t cross. My heart races, realising this needs to stop.

Her eyes flicker to my mouth, and the alcohol in my system doesn’t help. I feel her uncertainty, mixed with something that matches my own desires.

“Amelia, you gotta stop giving me that look,” I warn, trying to keep my voice steady.

She tilts her head, confusion clouding her eyes. “What look?” Her voice barely rises above a whisper.

I exhale heavily, running a hand through my hair. “Like... like you want me to kiss you,” I admit quietly.

Fuck, the urge to kiss her right now is overwhelming. To feel her lips against mine. But instead of backing off, she inches closer. In my somewhat intoxicated state, my thoughts are all over the place, but seeing her respond, sober and steady, sends a thrill through me. My heart races, and I feel my cock stir in my pants, a feeling I am desperately trying so hard to ignore.

“I—”

Before I can finish, Luke emerges out front, breaking the tension with his abrupt arrival. “Mate, there you are! Fuck, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

His interruption couldn’t have come at a worse time. Amelia shoots up in a hurry at the sudden intrusion.

Fucking Luke.

“I’m-I’m gonna go find Liv. Thanks for the, uh, chat,” she says nervouslybefore glancing at Luke and then hurrying away back inside.

Luke looks at me, his expression questioning. “What was that about?” he asks, nodding toward where Amelia disappeared.

I ponder for a moment, choosing my words carefully. “Nothing,” I finally say, shaking my head. “Just a chat.”

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