A Royal's Love (Unit Matched #1) (7 page)

“What?” I furrowed my brow.

“Please.” His blue eyes pleaded with me.

I take a deep breath, unsure of what he has planned and I closed them.

“Just walk straight.”

I took a few steps forward.

“Turn left.”

I did.

“Open them.”

I slowly opened my eyes and almost fainted where I stood. It was a shoe store but not any shoe store. It was ginormous. Heels, flats, wedges, and everything in between were displayed all the way to the ceiling.

“Am I in heaven?” I gazed up to Thaddeus.

He smirked at me. “My mom loves this store, although, my dad’s credit card hates this place. I thought you would like it too.”

I laughed at his comment and turned my attention back to the store. “Let’s see how my card holds up.” This time I pulled on his hand, and we entered.

Two hours later, I narrowed my selection of the whole store down to five pairs. I stared at each pair on the bench as Thaddeus sat next to the boxes.

“Only five?” He joked.

I squint at him. “Don’t kid about my love of shoes.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “My apologies, I wasn’t trying to make light of the situation that has you bouncing on your toes.”

“Oh that’s not it; I drank a lot of water at the party,” I confessed.

“Well, go the bathroom. It’s right there.” He pointed over his shoulder. “I’ll watch these.” He pointed to the boxes.

“Okay, I’ll be right back, and then I’ll narrow it to two, promise.” I grabbed my purse and almost sprinted to the bathroom.

When I came back out, I went to the bench where I left Thaddeus, but he was gone as were the shoes.

“Looking for these,” Thaddeus holds the bag out coming up behind me.

“Thaddeus,” I groaned. I should have known better.

“Like you really were going to narrow these down to two, Xaviera?”

“Maybe,” I lied.

Thaddeus laughed. An actual laugh. “You’re not a good liar.” He stepped closer to me and my breath caught. “Besides, I like seeing your face when I buy you things.” His steel blue eyes pinned me in place. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. “Let’s grab some ice cream.”

Thaddeus took my hand, and we strolled out of the store. He carried my bags for me, and we went up to the top floor to the ice cream shop.

I ordered a caramel sundae, and Thaddeus had chocolate chip ice cream in a waffle bowl. Even though it was a crowded mall, we were able to find a table near the end of the food court.

“Thanks for the shoes and the ice cream.” I moaned as I slide the spoon out of my mouth. “This is really good.”

“I think mines better.” Thaddeus put some on his spoon and brought it over to my face. I didn’t know how to react. Was he giving me a bite of his food? “I don’t have cooties. I promise.” I opened my mouth, and he slid the dessert inside. “Good, right?”

I nodded focusing back on mine in front of me.

“Your cheeks are red,” Thaddeus said while taking another bite.

I’m surprised my head didn’t catch on fire. That was the most intimate thing I’ve ever done besides holding his hand and that happened a couple hours ago. “I think it’s warm in here,” I lied.

He stared at me, and he knew I was lying but didn’t call me out on it.

We finished our ice cream, and Thaddeus asked if there was anywhere else I wanted to go. “Anymore shoe stores?” I giggled.

“Not to the magnitude that we just saw, but if you want to go to another one, we can.” I could see that he was trying to be kind but didn’t want to.

“Thaddeus, we’ve been here for almost three hours. I don’t need to shop anymore.” I smiled at him.

“I’m very relieved by that.” He laughed again.

I smiled knowing that he had a joking side.

Thaddeus held my hand all the way to car and the entire drive. A small gesture as holding someone’s hand might seem meaningless to some, but to me, it was something different. It was the first touch from my Matched. When he laced his fingers through mine, I felt the softness of his skin against mine. His lovingly act of his feathery touch across my knuckles sent shivers through me.

I wondered if other girls felt this way with their Matched, or I guess, boyfriends. If I felt like this holding his hand, what would our first kiss be like? My luck, I would pass out. I glanced over at Thaddeus and his full lips. I wonder what they would feel like on mine. Would I be a good kisser?

For years, I’ve read every girly magazine on how to perfect a kiss. Of course, I have no clue because I’ve never done it. I’d probably suck at it.

“Xaviera, you’re staring at me. Everything okay?” Thaddeus asked driving up my driveway.

“Yes,” I abruptly answered. “I was in dreamland.”

He didn’t respond as he got out of the car and retrieved my bag of shoes from the trunk. When he shut my car door, he lightly pinned me against the car. Our bodies were close, but not touching. “Am I ever in dreamland with you?” His eyes searched my face.

I felt all my blood rush up my neck and cheeks. “Sometimes,” I whispered.

“Mmm.” He pursed his lips a little and the world stopped. He was going to kiss me. He kept looking at my lips and then connected with my eyes again. “I should get you inside.” Thaddeus was so close that I could smell the remains of his ice cream on his breath.

I couldn’t move. I was unable to have a coherent thought at that very moment. If someone asked me my name, I wouldn’t know it because all I saw was Thaddeus full lips mere inches from mine.

He backed up, and he took my hand leading me up the sidewalk. When we reached the door, he handed me the bag. “I had a great day with you.” He gave me a smile.

“If you keep smiling people might think you’re nice.” I giggled trying to remain calm from the closeness of him.

“If you keep flirting, Unit will be talking in the morning about us.” He leaned in a little closer.

“Why?”

Thaddeus’ hot breath was on my cheek. “Because I’ll have to kiss you right here, on the front porch.” He lightly pecks his lips on my fire hot cheek and left me standing there.

There was no air left in my body. There was no air left on this earth. I couldn’t move from that position. I was like a statue.

Thaddeus kissed my cheek.

I can’t think of anything as my heart slammed into my chest, and my breathing was ragged and uneven. When I’m finally able to move, I go into the house and up to my room.

I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face trying to bring myself back to normal. I looked in the mirror. Water dripped down my face as I stared deep into my brown eyes.

He held my hand. He kissed my cheek. He bought me shoes.

“Xaviera,” I heard Gia yell my name.

“Upstairs,” I hollered back being pulled from the thoughts rotating in my head.

“Amaya’s on her way.” She stopped as she saw me. “What happened to you? You look ill.”

“I’m fine. I just got back. Thaddeus and I spent the evening together,” I explained patting my face dry.

“Amaya’s losing it.” She sat on the edge on the bed.

I saw the sadness on her face. I had always known that she had a crush on Oliver. “What about you?” I asked.

“I’ll be Matched soon, right? Guess I’ll know then.” Gia picked at her yellow nail polish.

I gave her a small hug. I felt so bad for her. “It’ll be okay.” The click-clack of heels was loud coming up the stairs, and Amaya appeared in the doorway.

Her usual put together look was disheveled and her green eyes blood shot and puffy. “Oliver. Oliver Thomas. My parents thought that my Matched should be Oliver Thomas,” she growled tears leaving her eyes.

“Well, he’s nice and good looking,” Gia tried to sound positive for her.

“I don’t care.” Amaya stomped her foot. “I don’t want him to be my Matched.”

“Amaya.” I walked over to her, and she collapsed crying in my arms.

“Why me?”

Gia came up and hugged us both, as Amaya continued to sob.

After several minutes, she calmed down. We got her up off the floor and onto my desk chair. I handed her a few tissues, as she cleaned herself up.

“So, what happened after the party?” Gia asked carefully.

“Well, we got home and Mom told me to go to the office to get pen and paper. You know how she is about thank you notes.” Amaya pushed her hands through her brown hair. Her purple highlights shimmering off the light. “And there he was, standing in the middle of the office. I told him that I didn’t want him to drive me home. I didn’t want to be around him.”

I looked at Gia, who was trying not to cry herself. “Did he say anything?” I really hoped she wasn’t rude to Oliver.

“‛Hi’. That’s what he said. What is that anyway? ‘Hi’.” She mimicked his voice.

“It’s a greeting,” Gia told her.

“Ugh.” Amaya rolled her eyes. “I’m praying to Mother Nature that she will hear me and let me be Pushed Back.”

“What?” Gia and I exclaimed.

“I’m not having a ceremony with him. Trust me.” She stood up. “I need to go home and take a hot shower.” Amaya didn’t say anything else just walked out of my room.

When I looked at Gia, her tears finally fell. I handed her a tissue. “I’m getting Graham, aren’t I?” She wiped her face.

“I don’t know. There are more available guys in town besides Graham,” I tried to sound hopeful.

“I wanted Oliver,” she openly admitted.

I hugged her tight. “It’ll be okay.” That was the only thing that I could think to say. I truly don’t know if it will be okay.

Chapter 8

Just Another Weekend in Unit

I had two weeks of classes before a short break, and then fall semester started. I had a lot of work to do in those two weeks and because other tellers were taking vacations at the bank, my schedule was becoming more chaotic. This week had passed so fast that I felt my head spinning.

Amaya was barely talking to anyone and hadn’t been on campus since her birthday. Gia and I went over to her house, and her mom said she was ill. I texted her numerous times, but she would hardly say anything back. My father allowed me to go out on my own without my Protector, except Thaddeus made sure that Graham was close by since he was in the city working this week.

Gia didn’t come to school today either. Her mother and she were going dress shopping, so I was at the library alone today.

I was at the library in deep thought about a project I finished and hoping it is good enough for a high grade, when my phone alerted me of a text.

Thaddeus: Dinner?

I smiled at the display when I saw his name. He had been just as busy at his job that we hadn’t seen each other since the night he kissed my cheek.

Me: Wish I could @ the library for a while

Thaddeus:
Have you eaten?

Me: No, but I’ll grab something later

He cared about whether I’ve eaten or not. I bite down on my lip because my insides were flipping thinking about it.

Our conversations have been more frequent. He has texted me almost every night when he got home from work to say goodnight. I never thought a few simple words could mean so much to me.

I closed my eyes thinking of his blue eyes and his lips.

Oh, his lips.

I have thought about them on my own lips. I could swear that I smelled him right now.

When I opened my eyes, a single daisy was laying on my book.

“Were you in dreamland?” Thaddeus’ voice made me stop breathing for a moment. “Shouldn’t you be studying?”

I looked up to see his blue eyes and the smirk that only I see staring back at me. “I was only there for a moment.”

“Hmm.” He sat next to me placing a paper bag in front of me. I looked at him confused. “It’s a sub sandwich and…” He pulled a bottle of water from behind his back.

I felt my stomach rumble. I didn’t think I was that hungry, but I guess I was. “Where’s yours?”

“In the car. Can you take a break?”

“For you?” I looked at him as if I was thinking hard about it. “I guess.”

“You know,” he leaned close to me, “I have to say I like seeing this side of you.”

I felt myself blushing as I packed up my bag, and we headed outside. The heat was heavy today. It felt like I had an extra layer of skin on.

When sat in Thaddeus’ car with the air conditioner on full blast. He told me about his day and that a big client would be coming into the city for a meeting. He’s hoping that he’ll get the lead on this project, and everything was pointing in that direction that he would be.

“That’s great. All that hard work you’ve been putting in; I’m sure you’ll get it,” I said encouragingly.

“Thank you, Xaviera.” He rubbed the back of my hand. “How much longer do you have to study?”

“I think I’m done. I’m burnt out right now, anyway.”

“Hey, why don’t we get back to Unit, change and hang out? Maybe a movie?” He squeezed my hand.

I smiled brightly. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“Where’s your car?”

I told him I was parked on the other side of campus, and he drove me over there. “Meet me at my house,” he said as he helped me out of his car.

I followed him back to Unit, and then headed to my house. When I got in, I raced upstairs. I pinned my hair back, freshened up makeup, and changed my clothes. I slipped into light color purple jeans with a white blouse that tied on the side of my hips. Of course, I wore my white heel booties and was ready to go to Thaddeus’ house.

When I pulled up to his house, I realized that no one else seemed to be there. Yes, I’d been alone with him, but in public, never alone in a house with him. I hoped that someone was there.

Thaddeus had opened the door in a pair of black cargo pants and a dark gray t-shirt. “Hey, come in.”

He took my hand and led me to the back of the house. I had been here many times in my life I knew exactly where he was taking me. The TV room. Mr. Edwards always had the biggest TVs.

Thaddeus had a large bowl of popcorn and a couple of glasses of soda on the coffee table. I wasn’t sure where to sit until he sat on the couch, guiding me to sit down next to him. My insides were trembling, not from fear, but being this close to Thaddeus, alone.

“I didn’t figure that you liked horror, so I thought that a comedy would be a good choice,” he explained turning on the TV & DVD player.

I nodded unable to say anything. He let go of my hand and reached for the popcorn. The movie started, but it was a blur to me. I couldn’t focus on it.

“Xaviera?”

“Yes,” my voice squeaked as I answered him.

He took the remote turning off the TV, and then turned to face me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I lied.

“I know better than that. You’re making it thunder outside and it was sunny when we arrived home. Tell me.”

I fiddled with my hands in my lap. “We’re alone.” I was nervous. I calmed myself the best I could, and I commanded the thunder away.

“Yes, we are. Does that bother you? Are you uncomfortable? I mean, we’ve been alone before.”

“No, we haven’t, not like this.” I waved my hand in between us.

“Wait, you mean alone in a house.” He nodded understanding what I meant. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I thought it would be nice to relax tonight. I’ve had a long week and didn’t really feel like going out. I should have asked first.”

I softly sighed. “I’m sorry, Thaddeus. Maybe it’s different for you, but I’m still trying to adjust to us even being Matched. This is all new to me.”

“Hey.” He touched my chin to bring my attention to him. “It’s new to me too.” His thumb lightly brushed my lips. His expression was hard to read, but he kept looking from my eyes to my lips. “You asked me a question a while ago, about how things were going with us, you remember?”

“Yes,” I croaked.

He gazed deeply into my eyes. “I didn’t think it would go as well as it has been.”

My breath caught in my throat as he leaned in. My body followed his action, and our lips were about to touch. I could feel his hot breath, and I felt my heart pounding hard against my rib cage.

Thaddeus was going to kiss me.

I knew it.

My insides were screaming for him to do it, but my head was telling me to remain calm, so I wouldn’t cause a natural disaster outside. Plus, I still didn’t know if I was going to be a good kisser.

Our lips tenderly touched, but as I was about to tilt my head…“Thaddeus, are you home?” We both spun to our original position facing the black TV screen in front of us as Mrs. Edwards’ walked into the room. “Princess, I thought that was your car.”

I nodded.

“What are you two doing?” She had a knowing smile on her face.

“Watching a movie,” Thaddeus’ deep voice cracked.

Mrs. Edwards gave a small laugh. “Thaddeus Jax, the TV isn’t on.” She pointed to it, catching him in his lie. I felt my cheeks as they burned with embarrassment. “Princess, would you like to stay for dinner?”

“No thank you, Mrs. Edwards, I don’t want to intrude.” I went to stand to leave.

“Nonsense, you’re staying. I’ll call Queen Stacy and let her know. You all enjoy the
movie
.” She winked and walked out of the room.

I dropped my head in my hands praying to Mother Nature to rewind time and let me not have that awkwardness with Mrs. Edwards. The saddest thing was we didn’t even finish our kiss.

Wait, did we?

Was that it?

Did I have my first kiss?

It was terrible that I didn’t even know.

Thaddeus tugged my hands away from my face. “Look at me.” His lips were close to my ear.

“I think I’m going to die,” I mumbled into my hands.

“No, you’re not. Look at me.” I turned to him. “It’s fine. I promise.”

“Really? Because I’m pretty sure that your mother just walked in on our first kiss.” I whispered to him hoping that she was nowhere close to us.

“That wasn’t a kiss.”

“Great.” I rolled my eyes. I didn’t even know what a kiss was or was not.

“This is a kiss.” Before I could fully understand what he said his lips were on mine. My brain was trying to understand what was happening, but my body took over when he cupped my face in his hands. We tilted our heads, and I placed my hands on his rock hard biceps.

I was kissing.

I was kissing Thaddeus.

I was kissing my Matched.

Thaddeus’ tongue softly licked my lips and on its own accord, my mouth opened. As our tongues touched, a shock went through me causing a shiver to go up my spine. Every part of my body tingled. I wasn’t sure how long this was supposed to last, but I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted more. My nails dug deeper into his arms because I wanted to feel more of him.

Thaddeus moaned and carefully slowed the frenzy that we were in. He broke the kiss but softly gave me another feathery kiss before laying his forehead against mine.

My lips tingled and felt swollen. I opened my eyes and Thaddeus’ blue eyes were darker, and his lips glistened.

“Now, you’ve been kissed.” He pecked my lips again but didn’t pull his hands away from their position on my face.

My breathing was erratic, and I didn’t know what to say. Do you say thank you in this type of situation?

“Are you okay?”

“That was my first kiss.” I blurted out to him, without even stopping to think about it.

He smiled. “I know.” I thought I caught a strange expression for a second on his face, but he recovered and continued his smile.

“Sorry.” I pulled back from his hands. “I’m not sure what to do, or apparently, say.”

“It’s okay,” he whispered taking my hand in his. “How about we watch the movie for real this time?”

I nodded. He turned the TV back on, and I tried my best to pay attention, but now I was thinking about my first kiss.

Oh my word, I wanted to text Amaya and Gia so badly to tell them. It’s a moment that we’ve all waited for, and I finally got mine.

I still couldn’t tell you a thing about the movie when the movie finished, and Mrs. Edwards called us for dinner. Since Mr. Edwards was working late and Dina, Thaddeus’ younger sister, was at a friend’s house, it was the three of us. Mrs. Edwards didn’t make any comment about the incident she walked in on, and it was an enjoyable evening.

After we all cleaned up the table and the kitchen, I told them I should be getting home and thanked her for a lovely evening.

Thaddeus walked me to my car and wouldn’t let go of my hand. Of course, he opened my car door for me. When I sat in the car, Thaddeus knelt down to me.

“I had a great night.” He kissed the back of my hand.

“I did too.” I smiled at him.

“Let’s spend tomorrow together.”

I hung my head. “I want to, but I have to work at the bank in the morning, and I really have a lot of homework. What about Sunday?” I asked hopeful that he would agree.

“I can’t Sunday. I promised to go do this golfing tournament with a client.”

“Rain check then?” I pretended to be cheerful, even though I was sad.

“Deal.” He grabbed the back of my neck and kisses me, again. “Text me later?”

“K,” was the only syllable I could say at the time.

He stepped back, shutting the door, and as I drove away he stayed in the driveway until I couldn’t see him anymore.

When I got home I wanted to race to my room to call the girls, but Mom stopped me first.

“How was dinner?”

“Good.” I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a drink.

“How was your first kiss?” Mom asked as I promptly spit the water out of my mouth. “That good, huh?”

“Oh my word,” I mumbled grabbing some towels to clean my mess up. “Mrs. Edwards must have told you.”

“Oh she did,” Mom teased. “Want to talk about it?”

I sat down next down to her. “It was good.” I started blushing again.

“Good?” Mom looked confused. “Well, then I’m glad it went…good.”

“I don’t have anything to compare it to, Mom. Plus, I didn’t cause an earthquake during it either.”

“Then I’m glad it went so
good
. Now run upstairs and tell the girls.” She patted my hand.

I kissed her cheek and jetted up to my room.

~~~

I quietly crept through the woods, and I stopped behind a tree focusing on the sounds around me. I have the knife in my hands, and the powers were stirring in my blood.