Something is burning

*Saphira's POV*

A smile twitched on the edge of his lips, and in response I narrowed my eyes, staring him down. He opened his mouth and then closed it again.

"You know that's not the context I'm referring to," he said sheepishly. With pouted lips he stroke his hand through his hair and sighed.

"Evangeline, you have to understand that there is a difference between love and sexual tension," he said in a serious manner. "You should seek a man's respect, not his lust," he said lecturing me. "Respect lasts longer."

I wanted to get out of his sight and get out of his cabin fast. "You're probably right," I said placing the playing cards on his bed, and raising the palm of my hands in surrender.

I stood up and Benjamin grabbed my hand. "Sit down," he ordered. "Why?!" I said feeling offended. His face softened and he brought my hand to his lips. "You underestimate your value, Evangeline." He whispered against my fingers. "Go to sleep," he said with a firm voice and kissed my hand.

My heart was racing while I climbed on deck. The cold wind whooshed over my face calming me down. How could I be so stupid. Did I really just implicate that Benjamin finds me attractive? That he sees me like anything other than his little sisters best friend?!

I fiercely wanted him to. Compared to him, every other man on the planet seemed dull. I did not now how to get his attention without making a fool out of myself. I always seemed to do so. Maybe he would be too perfect for me anyway.

The next morning Lynn and I woke up first. We decided to make everyone breakfast. After we finished the pancakes, I helped Lynn set up the table. The whole time I was thinking about how it would be best for me, if I would not seek out his attention anymore.

We were all still in our PJ's, sitting at the dark colonial table. Mine was blue satin with white laze.

By the look on Sierras face I could tell Benjamin walked in the kitchen cabin. "Good morning, dear Benjamin," she exclaimed.

"Can I get you something to eat?" she asked like she was the one who had gotten up early in the morning to make all this. "Thanks for making breakfast, sis," he said wryly.

"Actually, to be quite honest. I haven't made any of it. Saphira did," Lynn answered. He glanced at me for a split second and then looked away, walking towards the lounging area. Ouch... that hurt.

After breakfast we all went back home. Was he still mad at me? Why would he be mad at me? I thought we talked about it last night? Did I do something to upset him? I couldn't think of anything.

First it felt like there was warmth radiating from him to me, each time our eyes met. Or when he held me. It felt so… Then he was so cold. Ice cold. Then last night he kissed my hand.

Why did this bother me so much? Wasn't I the one who decided it was best to pay no mind to him in the first place? So why did it bother me so much that he ignored me now? This was what I wanted right?!

The next five Saturdays I spend with Lynn. Even though her brother said he wouldn't come home, he showed up every week.

I was right about him being a smarty pants of course. It seemed he knew everything. Or maybe he made it seem as he did. Instead of spending time with his own friends, he kept hanging around their property with us.

It was getting more awkward by the weekend. He would or try to ignore me, which he did in all obviousness. Or he would keep staring into my eyes, every chance he got. Okay I must admit; if I didn't look at him either, I wouldn't know he was watching.

Lynn's older brother was the one who opened up the door today. He wore a black suit and a white blouse. He looked kind of funny with his purple tie hanging loose around his neck, I thought while eying him.

He didn't even notice who I was, since his eyes never left his book, when I walked past him. It's going to be one of those days I thought.

It smelled like something was burning when I walked in. I fallowed the stink that led into their kitchen. It seemed Lynn was cooking something.

"Hey Chick! Hold up, I'll be right there," Lynn said.

"What are you making?" I asked perplexed. I had never seen her cook before.

"I'm trying to make rice and chicken," Lynn said sounding unsure of herself. I walked across the kitchen and glanced into her pots and pans. It didn't look like a promising meal. It absolutely didn't smell like one either. Yikes.

I tried to hold my laughter and bit my lip.

"Who are you trying to poison?" I snickered, plugging my nose with my fingers.

Then all of a sudden, there was a really loud noise. It was the fire alarm, caused by the smoke of the burning chicken.

"That's it! I give up," Lynn said while stomping out the kitchen. Well, that's just awesome I thought to myself.

I turned down the stove and grabbed a chair to turn off the alarm. Shoot, It was too high. Then Benjamin walked in the kitchen, and without a word, he picked me up from the chair and placed my feet on the ground.

My whole body shivered from his touch and my head swam by his cologne.

"Why are you burning down the house? I'm trying to study here!" Benjamin grumbled as he turned off the alarm.

"What do you mean I'm burning down the house? I just got here!" I jelled at him.

"Right. Well, then I hope you can cook, because you're going to help my sister fix us dinner. Or can't you cook either?"

"Excuse me?" I said bewildered by his assumption.

"Of course I'll help! But definitely not because you said so."

He narrowed his eyes and stared at me for a long minute.

I stared right back into his hazel eyes.

He has very beautiful lips, I thought to myself. I tried to stay angry with him. But it always seemed impossible to do so.

"Just make sure it's ready at five! The boys will be hungry," he slowly said. This guy was just unbelievable. What the heck is wrong with him?! I felt extremely irritated again.

"Saphira?" I wasn't going to answer him.

"Evangeline?" he said with a softer voice now.