Page 5 of Finding Love with the Fae King

“What do you want, Esteban?” I put all my weight on one foot and rolled my eyes as I held the door open.

He gave me that smirk that all the girls go for, the one where it was kind of crooked and part of his teeth showed. The kind of smile that made his pearly whites stand out even more with his tanned olive skin. All except me, and that bothered him. It has always bothered him.

“I came to see my favorite girl.” He walked past me, headed to the kitchen, and grabbed an apple from my fruit basket. Throwing it up in the air once or twice, he took a large bite and set it back on the counter. If I didn’t know about his past, I could see myself falling for him, but I knew better.

There were many nights in the packhouse where we were all in the large living room watching movies. He would try to sit beside me, but I always got right back up and sat in between some girls. He would leave in a huff or come to pick me up, but Tulip would always come to the rescue.

“I don’t really have time for your flirty games. I’ve had enough drama for the day, and I just want to go to sleep.”

Esteban tsked his teeth and walked toward me while I sat at my small bistro table in the kitchen. Even though the cabin was small, I gave it my small little touches to make it feel like my birth mother decorated it. I wondered if she would have liked how I turned out without her. Did she even care anymore? Probably not, haven’t even heard from her in years. One could still hope, right?

Esteban sat across from me and grabbed my hand that was holding my chin up, and caressed my knuckles. If he wasn’t such a playboy, I would think he was sweet. “Listen, Melina, I know I appear as a flirt and an ass.”

I laughed while he gave me a worried smile.

“I do care about you. Hell, we grew up with each other. I know I’ve fucked every she-wolf and half the high school, but I’ve always had a soft spot for ya.”

I blew some air through my nose and rolled my eyes.

“Werewolves have a high sex drive, all right? I was just a little more open about my ways.” He winked.

I took my hand back and wiped it on my leg, acting like it was dirty, and he laughed.

“Listen, I know you have had a bad day, so I’m just going to come out and say it.” He ruffled his shaggy brown hair and looked up with his chocolate brown eyes. He looked nervous. I could see the beads of sweat on his face. He rubbed his hands together, gathering his thoughts.

“Are you all right, Esteban?” I asked, concerned. I’d never seen the suave Esteban get nervous. He had a way with women to get them in his bed, in a closet, or even in his car. I shivered at the thought of how gross it was when I found him doing the cheerleading captain in the back of his car. I wasn’t sure if he knew I had seen him.

“Uh, yeah. I know you are going to Tulip’s mating ceremony. I was wondering if you would be, uh, my date?” Esteban said it so fast that I almost missed it.

Esteban was asking me out on a date for the mating ceremony.Hell has frozen over, everyone!Esteban did not ask girls on dates. He asked if they wanted to go have some fun or gave his favorite line, “Hey, do you wanna get out of here?”

Staring at him for a moment, he looked at me with puppy dog eyes. Ha, how funny that saying is now. He was being serious about this, asking me out on a date. I wasn’t the prettiest girl in school; I was the awkward one. Boys didn’t give me a second glance, not one date. I didn’t even go to the high school prom because I refused to go without a date. I didn’t want to be one of those girls that sat in the corner sulking. Now I had Esteban in the palm of my hand, asking me out.

Honestly, it felt good to be wanted. I would not let it get to me, though. He was just trying to take the one thing I had kept all my life and would only give to someone I trusted and loved.

I sighed heavily and uncrossed my arms from my body. “Fine.”

Esteban fist-pumped the air and jumped up, and gave me a hug.

“A couple of conditions, though!” I interrupted.

Esteban straightened out his shirt and pushed his locks behind his ear.

“No trying to get in my pants. There will be none of that. No kissing either.”

Esteban nodded. “I will never disrespect you.” Esteban smiled. “Anymore, never again, I swear. Only good intentions!” I hummed at the response.

“This is just for the mating ceremony, nothing else.” I waved my finger around.

Esteban frowned. “But what if I win your heart?” He gave me that stupid smirk. I rolled my eyes and waved him off.

“Get out. I need to sleep.”

“Challenge accepted.” He bowed gracefully.

“You can’t win, you know.”

His back was to me as he opened the door. He turned his head to glance back at me. “Why do you say that?” he asked, acting confused.

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