Burst Your Bubble (Part One)

I'd started spending time with Davon after work and on my days off. It was rare for me not to pay him a visit whether it was expected or not. I was excited to begin this journey into a whole new world of myth and magic and, possibly most importantly, to learn more about the man himself. But as the days rolled into weeks it felt as though I was standing in place unable to move forward in either goal and to sat it was becoming frustrating would have been a huge understatement.

When I was with him I felt like I was back in high-school and had finally garnered the attention of my long-time crush. I'd catch myself playing with the ends of my sleeves as we spoke, twirling my hair and stumbling over words whenever he said anything potential sensual- which seemed like a common occurrence, or at least far more common than I was used to. 

At first I'd found it difficult to focus on anything but him as a result, but it had slowly begun to ease and with that came a certainty. He'd cast a spell on me, or charmed me, or perhaps slipped me some kind of potion. I had no proof of course but it was the only thing that made sense. 

I sit in my little blue Volvo staring at the looming gray-brick house he calls home. This isn't the first time I've suspected him of it, any moments of lucidity or time spent away from him had me wondering if all my strange thoughts and behavior regarding him were truly my own. If I was the victim of some sort of love-at-first-sight scenario I'd always believed was garbage made up for the movies.

For some reason as I sit here now that small voice I'd heard so many times before has gone. I wasn't simply afraid of my own feelings, I'm not looking for an escape. What I am looking for is answers and somehow I need to fight whatever it is he's done and get some.

My hands tighten around the steering wheel turning my knuckles white as I suck in a deep breath summoning all my nerve and willpower- I was damn sure going to need it! With a heck of a lot more confidence than I feel, I throw open the door to my car and march right up to his front door. My hand grazes the door before it opens to reveal the Carmel haired man with a lazy smile.

"Is anything wrong, Miss Foster? You've been sitting in my driveway for quite a while now." He leans in close, the scent of herbs and spices wrapping around me drawing me in like a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter day. "Are you feeling alright?" I barely register the sound of his voice as he raises his hand to brush the hair from my face, his fingertips graze my skin igniting a trail of heat and I feel intoxicated.

Willpower. I scold myself silently and force my way past him, his soft chuckle follows me beckoning me back. I can feel my lips twist into a scowl and make my way to the living-room with heavy steps. When we arrive I keep my back to him, afraid that I'll succumb once again if I look his way. I keep my eyes fixed on the milky-way carpet under my feet as he takes a seat on the couch.

"Really now, how am I to teach you anything if you won't even look at me?" He asks me and though he sounds cheerful enough I've come to notice the subtle inflections in his voice, the one I'm hearing now I believe denotes irritation.

"Stop whatever it is you've been doing to me and I will." I tell him firmly.

"I'm," he enunciated and I get the feeling he's probably gone so far as pointing at himself. He can be a bit dramatic which is kind of adora- no, focus. I hear a sigh and raise my head just enough to see him uncross his feet. "Did you even hear me?"

I blink as though it'll clear the fog from my mind. "What?"

Another sigh before he stands, rocking back on his heels once he's upright. "I said I'm not doing anything to you, Miss Foster."

"So you expect me to believe there's no reason behind all this? That it's all me?" I scoff. 

I may not have dated anyone or liked anyone in a while but I'm not stupid. These feelings wouldn't calm to such a low simmer just by keeping my eyes off him or being away from him. This is not just some crush or lust or whatever- he's done something to me and he's not going to lie his way out of telling me what.

"I didn't say that. I merely said I'm not doing anything." He says like he's telling me some kind of riddle.

I finally look at him and my heart skips a beat, his hazel eyes hold such an alluring twinkle of mischief and perhaps danger. I shift my gaze letting it fall on the black vase to my left; golden vines curl around it drawing the eye from a dark green serpent poised to strike from the base. It's so perfectly suited to him, if I spoke those words there'd almost certainly be venom in my tone.

"Are you seeing someone else is doing it? Who then? And why?" Could it be Nora? Did she think it would help keep me close to him? No, that doesn't seem right. She wants intel, my being enamored by the man hardly seems beneficial toward that. But then again… it does lighten significantly when I'm away from him.

I recoil as he moves to me, excitement and nerves dance in the pit of my stomach building to a crescendo when his hand slips under mine and raises it to his lips for a feather-light kiss. It feels like my chest will burst open at any moment and lay my heart at his feet.

"It isn't Nora, or anyone truly, " a hint of sadness? He gives my hand a gentle squeeze keeping it close enough that I can feel the warmth of his breath travel the length of my fingers. "But you're doing very well, dear Raina, you should be proud of yourself."

"Proud?" I laugh. "Of what? Making a fool of myself every time I'm near you? Of barely knowing the first thing about you yet wanting nothing more than to have you-" I clasp a hand over my mouth feeling mortified and pull my hand back only to gasp when he catches me by the waist.

My hands limp at my sides. I stare up at him in shock and awe as he brings me closer, pressing my body against his as he lowers his forehead to mine. Breath catching in my throat, I can't help but touch him. The short stubble along his jawline tickles my fingers sending a pleasant shiver through me as I drink in his glossy gaze.

"I could relieve a bit of that for you, if you'd like?" He tilts his head ever so slightly awaiting my answer and I give it.