Chapter 303 - A Beautiful Web (2/2)

”Yeah, before that he slept with this chic from the vampire cleanup crew for information... I'm not sure if he even has a moral compass anymore.” Russ shook his head. ”But he's dependable... and loyal...”

They fell into an awkward silence as they continued to eat. Russ stabbed a strawberry leftover from his pancakes and held it out to her. ”Come on, I know you like them. I've seen you eat them pretty often during meals.”

”Congratulations, this is for you on the house. It is our famous Rose cupcake.” The barista said as she handed Jaden the cupcake and set the bill down on the table. ”Here is your check when you're ready. Do take your time, however.”

Jaden was so amazed by the beauty of the cupcake, she almost hated the idea of eating it. Russ's soft chuckle and the click of his phone as he took a picture brought her attention back to him. He turned the phone toward her. ”Beautiful, isn't it?” He nodded to it. ”Go ahead, see if it tastes as good as it looks.”

She smiled as she took a large bite of the beautifully decorated cupcake. Her smile widened as she nodded back at him, her mouth full of the light fluffy icing and cake.

Russ chuckled as he tilted his head and lifted his hand to her mouth. He wiped a clump of icing from the corner of her mouth with his thumb then brought it to his mouth and suċkėd the icing from it. ”Um, definitely as tasty as I'd imagined...” His innuendo wasn't completely lost on her, instead, it only made the many feelings and emotions within her flutter about in even more confusion.

They walked the short mile to the National Gardens, stopping frequently to admire buildings and old structures as they went. ”Stand over there.” Russ said pointing to a lovely walkway with a plant and flower canopy overhead. He pulled out his phone and took several more pictures, before finally taking her hand and leading her toward a little bridge surrounded by ducks. ”I'd love to redo the gardens of the palace and around town to look like it does here...” He said in idle conversation as they made their way through the park. ”I wish I could remember what it looked like when my parents were alive... but I haven't found many pictures yet...”

”I'm sure there must be some in the palace somewhere.” She watched as he bent for a better angle of the fountain they now stood in front of. ”You seem to really have an eye for photography.”

He nodded as he snapped another picture then showed her. ”Yeah, I guess... Jos has always been big on art and ended up going to college then working in it later... We would go to museums and galleries all the time when I was younger. I guess the passion just rubbed off on me.”

Jaden tilted her head but decided not to ask further questions about the mysterious silver-haired man. ”So, where to now?” She asked as they neared the exit of the gardens.

He leaned toward her holding his phone out for her to see. ”That would be Mount Lycabettus Hill. It's not even a mile away. Peg said the worst part about it was the climb up to the top, but that it was definitely worth it.”

He'd been rambling on about some of the information he'd found out about the St. George church and the walls and ceilings of art inside it when he noticed she'd fallen a few steps behind him. He stopped and walked back down to where she was. ”What's wrong?” He quickly examined her with his eyes, stopping on the bȧrėly visible red marks on the back of her heel. ”The shoes... they're new, right?” He lowered to one knee for a better look. He frowned as he stood back up. ”It's still only March and kinda chilly or I'd suggest going bȧrėfoot...” he scratched his head as he thought over options. ”I guess there's no helping it then.” He turned and bent slightly in front of her.

Jaden stared at his wide back. ”I... I'm alright... I can bear with it the rest of the way to the top.”

”Nonsense. Get on my back, I'll carry you the rest of the way up. I'm sure we can get some bandages at the restaurant once we're there.”

She swallowed hard as she continued to stare at him.

He arched a brow at her from over his shoulder. ”Either climb on my back or I'll be forced to carry you bridal style, and I'm sure that would be more awkward for both of us.”

She cleared her throat as she neared him. ”I... I'm not sure how you want me to do this... I'll be alright tho-”

”You have massive blisters on your heels, you'll not be alright.” He straightened and took one of her hands, tugging her closer then guiding her behind him and placing her hand on his shoulder. Again, he squatted in front of her and hooked her behind both knees. ”Hold on or you may fall.” He instructed as he lifted her.

She couldn't help the cry of surprise when she was easily scooped up and carried onward. Her rigid body began to relax as her attention moved away from the closeness of his body and the magnetizing sent of his hair to the beautiful sights of the outstretched city below.

”It's awesome from up here, isn't it?” Russ commented looking out over the bustling city below.

”I wouldn't have imagined...” She muttered.

He set her down once they'd reached the top. He led her over to a bench. ”Wait here and I'll find some bandaids and ointment. He hurried there and back as quickly as possible, falling to his knees at her feet as he returned. He carefully slid off her flats and began treating the wounds. ”Do you think you'll be able to wear them now, or would you like to find something else? I think I saw flip flops in the gift shop.”

She wiggled her foot around in the flats. ”I... think they'll be alright. The bandaids added enough padding, I believe.” She stood, brushing the wrinkles out of the knee-length skirt. ”Thank you... I suppose that is another skill you've mastered after living with all females?” She murmured as she turned toward the view below.

He chuckled as he stepped beside her. ”It is...” He caught her hand and turned her back to face him. Stepping closer to her and lowering his head to hers, he whispered. ”Smile...” Her wide eyes moved up to him instead of the phone he was now holding up. Seeing her odd expression in the camera of the phone, he turned his attention to her. Their eyes locked as he snapped another picture.

She walked away in awkward embarrassment. ”Do... do you really have to take so many pictures of me?”

A smile curved one side of his lips. ”Those were the first I've taken of the both of us...” He took her hand as he caught up with her, tugging her to a stop. ”One of these days, you may want to look back at this day... I know I will...”

She pretended to ignore his comment. ”So... what else did you learn about this place when you were looking over it last night?”

”Come here and I'll show you..” He grinned down at her as he tugged her closer.