Star-Crossed Mates

Chapter 4

She obviously had no clue who he was which was fine, but she seemed to find him attractive didn’t she?

Why did that matter though?

He shook his head slightly and leaned against the railing while he watched her head to the couple. He wanted to shift his gaze away, but wasn’t able to. Instead, he told himself that it was because he needed to know more about her.

“Is she that interesting?” Hearing Felicia next to him he finally managed to tear his eyes away from Rory. “To me she seems boring.”

Of course, she would say that. She was jealous. He could smell the emotion oozing off her.

“You know I am only keeping an eye on her to get intel for my family and that is all.” Eyes back on Rory he watched as she hugged the two people and headed towards a booth with them. Seemed they were able to reserve a table within this busy establishment.

“If you say so. You probably wouldn’t be able to get her attention anyway. She’s a Van Helsing. Her family would never be okay with someone like you nor would she.” He had been thinking the same, but the thought still invigorated him. As he kept watching her, he knew in some form he wanted her.

He needed to deny it, but with Felicia chatting away how it was never going to happen and would never be possible he felt a challenge that ignited him.

He hadn’t felt this excited in ages.

Averting his gaze, he decided he best try to be a bit more careful while he kept eyes on her. And he had to get this overwhelming need to have her under wraps. Pushing the emotions down he realized he was letting himself get lost instead of focusing on his task.

He needed to stay focused and accomplish what he was supposed to do.

Felicia was right. Them having a fling couldn’t be a thing and he needed to stay with that. This was only an assignment which he should easily be able to accomplish.

There would not be a them at all.

Getting his mind on track he forced himself to feel nothing for the girl and monitor her instead.

Rory’s POV

Even though she sat with her brother and his wife, she could still feel the man’s eyes lingering on her. Every now and again she would let her eyes shift towards him and caught him still eyeing her in that hungry way he had earlier. The first few times he tried hiding it from her, but the last few times he just didn’t bother with it.

“Hey, Rory are you listening.” Damnit, she needed to focus on her brother and Diane. Not the guy across the room gazing at her.

Shifting her eyes to her brother she gave him a sheepish look. “I’m sorry. Everything is just a lot more than I thought possible that I got a tad distracted. However, you have my full attention now.” Smiling, she kept her eyes trained on her brother who just appeared annoyed.

“You’re killing me Rory.” Seeing his exasperated face caused a laugh to escape her. Which made him glare right at her.

Thankfully, Diane joined in and knocked her shoulder with Seth’s. “Come on Seth. She’s been away for 15 years.”

A sigh escaped his lips and then finally a smile graced his face when he glanced at Diane.

All Rory could do was mouth thank you to her. This was one of the many reasons she was glad to have her as a sister-in-law.

“I was talking about what your plans were going to be with you being back?”

Ah, that was the topic and not one she truly wanted to have a conversation about, but she knew Seth wanted to know so that he could take care of her. He was always trying to protect her. Even now, Diane had a placed a spell over the booth to ensure no one could listen in on their conversation so tey could be open with one another.

Tapping her chin, she just shrugged slightly. “I’m not sure yet. I know Mom wants to test me with a few hunts first and you know Ethan wants to ensure I tag along with him for the time being when it comes to tasks from for the Helsing Organization. As for spare time, I don’t know yet. It was hard enough to convince mom to let me stay outside their place on my own.”

She was used to the protective nature of her family, especially since she was still technically mortal at the moment, but it was a bit much at times.

“Maybe you could help me out at my shop?” Hearing Diane’s words made her tilt her head. She knew that Diane had a bookstore which also had a magic shop side on the other half of the store, away from mortal eyes. From what she knew, she did very well and didn’t have much help.

Maybe that would be something she could do instead of just sitting inside while her family was off busy keeping her caged inside. Again, she loved her family, but she was powerful and could take care of herself.

“Would I truly be able to?”

“Rory.” The look from Seth was not going to stop her.

“No Seth. I want to do something and you trust Diane so I wouldn’t be alone. This would be perfect. It gives me something to do and I don’t have to sit inside while everyone else is out busy with the organization junk that none of you will let me bother with at the moment.”

Giving Seth the look of determination, she knew he would eventually stand down.

“Seth let her help me out. Like she said, I will be there and it gives her something more to do than wait around for everyone to give her something to do, which we all know your family will avoid until she changes over to immortal, which to me is just silly. She’s powerful enough to be of use but you guys act like she is made of glass.”

Thank goodness for Diane. She loved her even more now. They had only met in person on a few occasions that they visited, but she always had enjoyed her presence, especially now more than ever.

“Not you too.”

“Seth please.” She wasn’t above begging her brother. If she could get him on board then it would be easier to get mom and dad on board.

The moment she saw him break under the pressure she was able to give a devilish grin knowing she had won. “Thank you and thank you Diane. I will help out as long as you need me and whenever you need me.”

“I’m so excited. It has been a little hard to replace my last helper. Meet me at the shop tomorrow at eight and I will walk you around the place before we open. Oh, I’m excited and thank you sweetheart.” Diane leaned over placing a sweet kiss on Seth’s cheek. “Now how about we dance for a bit.” The look in Diane’s emerald eyes made her chuckle lightly.

She could see the love in her eyes and knew she would be getting her brother all hot and bothered soon.

“You two win.” He must know it too, because he slid out with her not bothering to fight them on this any longer.

Diane shot her a wink and off they went towards the dance floor.