Chapter Three- Immediately Imprinted

Forest:

Why the hell am I burning up like this?

Is it a heart attack or maybe even a stroke. I've never heard of a twenty year old experiencing a heart attack before but I'm sure it's not impossible.

Wait, it doesn't feel like there's any pain but I've never felt this burn sensation before.

Like my heart is under attack and it stands no chance.

Like I actually enjoy whatever this is.

I gaze up and I completely forgot that there's this stranger staring holes into my eyes.

Oh crap, there it is again.

It's him. I think. He is causing this sensation.

I try to look away as fast as I can but his gaze holds mine. I try to look away because I feel like he is busy breaking past the layers I so love to build up around myself, just by a simple gaze.

But I can't and the burn stays there.

I forgive myself for feeling this way almost instantly because holy crap, this man is dreamy and absolutely smoldering. Completely different in many ways from his twin brother.

His eyes looks like an aqua hurricane mixed with the green sea, that dark hair and that muscles protruding through his white t shirt. Yes, definitely a forgivable sin to have had a reaction to him like that.

With these twins you could expect nothing less.

The moment is thankfully broken when Jarrod jumps up moving towards his twin.

"James. We weren't expecting you. Have a seat. Also, it's rude to stare. Do you remember Mel and Lara. This is their friend, Forest."

Wait so Jarrod picked up on the stare.

What the hell was that about. Probably someone to remind me that class A geeks don't belong with the cool kids.

James clearly acknowledges them and nods greeting both Lara and Mel but returns his hot gaze on me.

Burning me up once again.

He checks his phone and his off on his heels again. Leaving behind confusion.

The past two minutes goes unnoticed and the gang continues getting along like a house on fire.

It turns out they are childhood friends like us and come from a little town outside Los Angeles where the estates are. Another word for huge ass houses for the filthy rich.

I would definitely move there if this is how genuine and gorgeous everyone is, also I've always loved the idea of a tiny town. I've never been money hungry, I wasn't raised like that. I believed a simple life was the best one.

Mel seems to be enjoying Jarrod a lot and the feeling seems completely mutual. Lara is enjoying the intellectual conversation and cunning humor, while I am hoping this will last a while and that maybe social experiences with strangers aren't that bad. Although I'm completely clueless on other experiences when it comes to love and desire. But tonight, seeing someone look at me like that maybe started me off in understanding the need of desire. Although it means nothing because he clearly has a devoted girlfriend whom he hasn't left considering reservations made by his closest. His also way out of my league.

He needs a goddess by his side not some mere mortal.

This knots and butterflies in my abdomen doesn't go away as I thought it would when he left. I put my glass down and tell the gang that I'm just going to run across the road to a kiosk and get me an antacid and water.

"You feeling okay?" Lara asks me.

"Yeah, I just think I overindulged. I'll be right back." I say as I get up.

The parking lot and street is bustling as people are rushing to get a spot last minute before the movie starts. There's so much happening in the road that I have to look a few times around me, being the height that I am doesn't help much either.

As I walk forward in the street to cross, I see a car coming straight my way, and that's when I freeze as my life flashes before my eyes. At this point, there's nothing I can do so I brace myself for the impact.

All of a sudden, I feel this strong force grabbing me and pulling me out of the way.

He pulls me against him and I look up to see who this kind stranger is who possibly saved my life.

"You should really watch where you going, little one." James says to me, looking down into my eyes.

That's why he looked at me strange earlier on, he thinks I'm younger than what I am. I get that a lot from my miniature size and baby face.

"I was, and I'm not a child." I tell him, pulling myself away from his embrace.

"I know, you're tiny. That's what I was referring to." He says to me.

"Well don't underestimate me because of my size." I tell him, suddenly feeling the need to accert myself.

"Never planned on." He says, brushing a piece of hair out of my face with his fingers.

"Hey, you could've gotten yourself killed. Watch where you walking." The guy in the convertible who almost bumped me, yells out to me.

"Hey buddy, this is a parking lot not a highway. You shouldn't be driving so fast, I was watching where I was going. You were speeding." I yell at him and flip him off.

James walks up to him.

"You lucky you didn't bump her. Because if you did, I swear to God." He says to him.

The guy drives off, slowly this time. I once again, look and cross the road for a second time. I see James, still trailing behind me.

"Are you following me?" I ask him.

"Just making sure you get across the road and back safely." He says, closing the gap that was between us.

"I can handle it from here. The near death experience was enough for me for today." I tell him as I head to the kiosk.

"I'd rather not risk it. Besides, I'm doing this for me. Not for you." He says, as he stands next to me in line.

I look at him, confused.

"I feel this need, to protect you. And I don't want to be the one to answer to your friends should something happen to you." He says to me, staring at me, studying me, burning me up again. Fuck, his dreamy.

"Next." The guy behind the counter shouts.

"HI. Could I get an antacid and a bottle of water?" I ask him. James is still standing by my side, studying me, almost like his memorizing every inch of my body.

The guy hands me the water and antacid. Just as I'm about to take out a bill, James throws one on the table.

"Okay, listen. You have done enough for me today. Keep your money, please. I don't need it." I say, as I slip my bill into the guys hands and tuck his bill back into his jeans pocket and walk off.

He follows me again.

"I was raised a gentleman." He says to me.

"What?" I ask him, confused again. That near death experience has really shaken me up or he has. I think it's the latter.

"I wasn't trying to offend you. A gentleman always pays." He says, keeping up next to me.

"Well I appreciate it, but as I said. I got it covered. Shouldn't you be on your way? To your lady perhaps?" I ask him, because earlier he couldn't wait to leave, now his following me. I also want him to know, I know he has a girlfriend.

"I'm leaving as soon as you're safe." He says to me.

When we get back to the grass, the looks we get from everyone makes me so uncomfortable. I think James picks up on my discomfort so he explains.

"Just making sure she got back safe. A car almost bumped her." He says, eyeing me still.

"What? Are you okay?" Mel jumps up.

"Yeah. Asshole was driving recklessly." I answer.

"What happened?" Lara asks.

"James pulled me away before anything could happen." I say to her, as she's inspecting my body as if I'm a child. God, this is embarrassing.

"You are so lucky he was there. You could have gotten really hurt." Mel says to me, and I realize I still haven't thanked him yet.

"Yeah. Thank you." I turn to him and say.

"I was beginning to think I'd never hear those words from your mouth little one." He says with a smirk.

"What were you doing there by the way?" I ask him, considering that he should have been gone by then.

"I told you. I have this need to protect you and I suppose that drove me to where you were." He says in my ear, and chills run down my spine.

"I'll see you soon, little one. Have a great evening." He says as he leaves again.

"What the fuck was that all about?" Lara asks me in my ear.

"I have no idea." I say, shrugging. Not wanting anyone to know the effect he has on me.

James:

When Jarrod told me the gang would be going to the movies and for pizza to meet up with Mel and Lara, something told me I had to join.

Although I have a lot to deal with at the moment, I needed the break.

Mel and Lara were easy going, beautiful and charming sisters we met at a weekend away on the lake. Very easy on the eyes but not my type.

Although I still have to find my type.

Ashley my current girl, who was put on to me by her father, because our fathers see a potential empire that could be built if the two businesses were to merge. Sometimes I curse the day my father decided that he will be leaving the family business in my hands just because of Ashley.

Jarrod has never been inclined to the business. His such a talented artist so his pursuing it. Although he likes to stay in the loop with what's happening in the company in case he should ever have to step in. But I've got everything handled. I keep him in tune for big decisions because it is heirloom as well. I would never expect him to turn his back on his dream so I could dodge the bullet that's called Ashley.

Besides, I love our businesses.

I believe in it.

I believe in growing it and I'd never give it up even for Ashley.

When Jarrod mentioned the movie and pizza outing I quickly scramble along to go with, but it's like the devil herself knows my plans and insists I take her to an upbeat restaurant instead.

As usual, I protest and rather bring her along to the pizza parlor. Having them in the company with her will make her somewhat bearable but her bitterness would ruin the atmosphere.

Before we get out of my car she throws another tantrum about the rubbish boyfriend I am and how she can't stand being around my siblings because they rub her up the wrong way as do my friends. Then she goes on about how I never look at her the way she wants because I'm probably out there giving it to any other girl.

As if.

I've never met a girl worth my time or my feelings. To get my frustrations out maybe and move on.

I have run out of patience to entertain her tantrum and drop her right back at home. I turn around the car and head right back to Jarrod and the gang. I could use a bit of distraction to get my bearings straight.

When I get there, I see the gang sitting on the grass with Mel and Lara's friendly faces but there is one, I don't recognize.

As I walk towards them, I am immediately drawn to her.

Her beauty so real and raw.

I'm mesmerized by her. I'm in awe of her.

As I look at her, I feel immediately bonded. I don't believe in being destined for someone but something about her gets me second guessing myself.

Desire within me begins to burn. I try to look away but I can't. I can see she feels my heat and she doesn't turn away on my gaze either.

I rarely feel this way. I get all kinds of girls throwing themselves at me but she stays in place.

Jarrod soon interrupts my train of thought and makes me acknowledge the others. I politely greet them but immediately, I'm drawn back to her. Like a moth to a flame, an addict to a hit.

My phone is buzzing in my pocket and it gets me interrupted again. As I'm drawing it out, I realize I have a hard on.

'Come see me immediately.'

Reads the message from Ashley's father, Wentworth.

My hard on disappears and so do I.

Leaving behind someone that left their print on me, unknowingly.

As I climb into my car, I can't get myself to start my car and ride. I'm hesitant. I should go back there and find out everything I can about her. I sit in my car for 5 minutes and that's when I see her.

She's struggling through the parking lot. Everyone's in a rush. I jump out of my car and head towards her. This is my chance.

I'm drawn to her, so I'm moving through the crowd, towards her, very quickly.

When I get right behind her, she's about to cross the street and a car comes flying in her direction. She stops and freezes, almost just waiting for something to happen. That's when I jump in and grab her waist, pulling her against me. Safely out of the street. Close to me. Her heart is pounding. She's gorgeous, those eyes and lips.

Even though she tries and pulls away from me, I follow her. And I know she feels the same as I am because she's buying herself an antacid, thinking its going to solve the tension and chemistry between us, which is adorable. How innocent is she then?

She refuses my help, my money and me. This has never happened before.

I walk her back to the park and even though she tries and stays ahead of me, I'm drawn to her. It's like my heart and body refuses to leave a distance between us.

She asks me about my girlfriend and I assume Jarrod told her, that's why she's putting her guards up.

One things for sure, I will see her again. I have to. And I have to have her. I won't survive if I don't.