chapter ten

The café was packed. Like any school day, students haunted the tables, some with friends and others frantically typing on their keyboards. As if they stopped typing or worrying for a second, they would be kicked out of school. Now that I thought about it, at least it might be that way for some.

The person behind the counter looked as strung out as the students frantically typing on their laptops. It looked like he had seen the next world war and just made it out, barely alive. His hair was in different directions like he had run his fingers through it to calm or ground himself. I could imagine what kind of retail war this guy had gone through today, especially since we were about time for the midterm season. He must’ve made quite a few caffeinated drinks today for himself alone. When I got out to pay for my drink, Orpheus interrupted me and put it on his card instead.

“It’s the least I can do.” He smiled, draping his other hand on my back, making me wish that he would push it further down.

The least he could do? I didn’t think it was so offensive when we knocked into each other. Nothing was ruined, and neither of us was slighted. But I wasn’t gonna say no to a free drink, especially from a man like him. I wanted him to think he was caring for me now because maybe I could return the favor later. I bit my bottom lip at the thought.

My phone interrupted us as we sat down with our drink, and I saw another notification from Doglover54 saying they couldn’t wait for the soap to be in stock. I quickly liked the comments before putting my phone away again. When I looked up at Orpheus, he gazed at me questionably as if asking me what seemed so important to pull me away from him. Since it was nothing to hide or personal, I indulged him.

“I have a cosmetic shop, and I sell soap. I just posted a video of me in the process of making one, and someone is asking if it was going to be in the shop, and I just wanted to tell them it would be.” I took a sip of my drink and almost grimaced. It was not made with the typical blonde espresso because this was bitter as fuck. But it was free caffeine from an insanely hot guy, so I would chug it if necessary.

“Cosmetic shop? That’s incredible. You must be talented to be a student and run your own business.” His smile was soft as he took a sip of his drink, neatly rested it on the table, and curled his hands into his lap when he was done. He leaned forward slightly but kept his back straight.

“It was always something I was interested in. When I figured out I could make my products, it was almost like a lightbulb lit up. I don’t know if this will be my forever career, but it makes me happy now. Also, I haven’t left school for it.” I paused, contemplating if I even wanted to show him before I stopped that line of thought.

He already asked, so why not? I pulled up my phone again and brought up my shop. “Here! Here are some of the things that I made.”

He took my phone from me and started scrolling, and I could see his eyebrows raise into his hairline. I didn’t know if I should feel offended that he thought I wouldn’t be able to make something like this or if I should be smug that I changed his expectations of me.

“I would love to buy something from you. The orange vanilla swirl sounds delightful.” He spoke up after a moment of silence, staring at the picture of the soap bar. A shiver of desire made me straighten my back and clench my thighs together. That was my most recent soap on the unofficial Predator vs Predator product line. I was able to harvest enough tallow from my most recent kill to make several batches of soap and candles. That particular soap that he wanted to buy was one of them.

“It’s one of my favorites as well. It was enjoyable to make and smells so good.” I smirked, but when he glanced at my face, I softened to a smile so he wouldn’t expect anything criminal with what I had just said. “I can bring it to campus tomorrow if you don’t wanna go through my online shop.”

“Sounds great. How much for three bars?” He placed the phone back on the table between us, but I didn’t move to grab it.

“I’ll give you the friends and family discount, $15,” I teased. “But enough about me. What brings you here to this school?”

“Art. I’m looking to be an art major. I’m transferring from California,” he said.

I frowned. While this school was a liberal arts college, it wasn’t known for its art programs. If anything, it was more known for its English classes. The only reason I’m here studying chemistry is that it was the school that gave me the most financial aid, and it was a relatively decent school. I shrugged it away. It was not my business why he chose the school for the art program, especially if I picked it for a science program.

“That’s interesting. Are you going for any specific career? Or is art your passion?”

He leaned back but didn’t take his eyes off me. His posture slackened slightly as he relaxed into the seat. “Art has always been my passion. I don’t think I have any particular medium or subject, but I like some more than others. I guess the only one I don’t know much about is digital art. But painting, sculpture, stretching, all of it.” He licked his bottom lip and shot a half-smile at me. “Since you showed me some of your work, I should show you some of mine someday.” He shrugged. “I would show you right now, but I don’t have any of my work or pictures with me. All of it is at home. But I will have to take a picture and show you sometime.”

“I’d like that.” I picked up my drink and hid my smile behind it as I took a long sip, and I could feel his eyes on my throat as I swallowed. Another notification on my phone lit up my screen. I leaned forward and saw it was another notification from Doglover54. But instead of reading what they had to say, my eyes zoomed in on the time, noticing I was running behind on my schedule. So I rummaged in my bag for a pen and loose paper. I wrote my number on it and pushed in the direction of Orpheus.

“I have to go, but this was fun. We should do it again sometime.” Before I could take my hand back, he grabbed it, turned it over, and stroked the inside of my palm.

“It was very nice to meet you, Vanessa. I’m glad we ran into each other today, and I will definitely take you up on that offer.”

The intimacy of the touch had me shivering, and I knew my underwear was utterly ruined. I’d had boyfriends in the past, and neither was as attractive nor as smooth as Orpheus. I could already tell he was going to be my next addiction.