Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

F elicity

A week later, I find myself back at the comedy club, leaning against the bar with a tray in hand. Raj is on stage again, his presence magnetic. His jokes draw laughter from the crowd, and I can't help but join in, feeling the tension in my shoulders melt away. The way he commands the room is mesmerizing, almost as if he's weaving a spell over everyone with his humor.

Raj's eyes sweep across the audience, and for a moment, they lock onto mine. He winks, and I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. There's something about him that draws me in, an inexplicable pull that makes me feel both nervous and safe. It's like the room fades away, leaving just the two of us in a silent, electric connection.

He wraps up his set with a punchline that has the crowd roaring. As he steps off stage, our eyes meet again, and my heart races. I quickly turn away, busying myself by collecting empty glasses from a nearby table, but I can still feel the warmth of his gaze on me, lingering like a gentle touch .

"Enjoying the show?" His voice, warm and inviting, washes over me as he approaches, and I can feel my pulse quicken.

"Yeah, you're pretty funny," I reply, attempting to keep my tone casual, though the smile tugging at my lips betrays me. I hope he doesn't notice the slight tremor in my voice.

"Pretty funny? I'll take that as a compliment." He grins, leaning against the bar beside me, his presence magnetic, pulling me in without effort.

I can't help but laugh again, the sound surprising even me. "Well, don't let it go to your head." I meet his gaze, and for a moment, the noise of the club fades into the background. His eyes seem to flicker with something primal, something that makes my heart race even more.

"I won't," he promises, though his eyes sparkle with mischief, a hint of something deeper lingering there. "You seem more relaxed tonight."

"Maybe I am." I shrug, trying to downplay the significance, but there's truth in my words. "It's been nice... having some normalcy for a change."

He nods, a gentle understanding in his gaze that makes my heart flutter. "Good. You deserve that." His words are simple, but they carry a weight that makes me feel seen in a way I haven't in a long time.

"Thanks," I murmur, feeling a warmth spread through me. "It's not often I get to just... be myself."

Raj's expression softens even more, and he leans in slightly, the proximity making my breath hitch. "You should get to be yourself all the time, Felicity. No one should take that away from you."

His words resonate deeply, and I find myself drawn even closer. The club's noise fades further into the background, leaving just the two of us in this moment. The primal flicker in his eyes is back, and I can't help but wonder what secrets he's hiding.

A warmth spreads through me at his words, wrapping around my heart like a comforting blanket. For so long, I've been on edge, constantly looking over my shoulder, every shadow a potential threat. But around Raj, things feel different. Safe.

"You know," he continues, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone, "I've been thinking about what happened last week."

"Oh?" My heart skips a beat, anticipation mingling with anxiety.

"Yeah." He leans in slightly, his presence magnetic. "I'm glad I was there to help. But more than that... I'm glad it gave us a chance to talk."

His words hang in the air between us, heavy with unspoken meaning and possibilities. My mind races with conflicting thoughts of fear of getting hurt again, battling against a growing desire to trust him, to let him in.

"I appreciate it," I finally say, my voice trembling slightly.

"Anytime." He reaches out as if to touch my arm but stops himself short, his hand hovering inches away. "If you ever need anything..."

"I know." And for the first time in a long time, I believe it. In that moment, his warm brown eyes seem to glow with a depth that hints at something more, something primal and protective.

His proximity makes my skin tingle, a gentle reminder of the power he holds within. I can sense the weretiger just beneath the surface, waiting, watching. It's both exhilarating and terrifying. My gaze drops to his lips for a fraction of a second before I catch myself.

"What are you thinking?" he asks, his voice a low rumble. The sound is rich and velvety, like dark chocolate melting in my mouth.

"Just how different things feel with you," I admit, my cheeks flushing with a warmth I haven't felt in ages. "I'm not used to this." My voice wavers slightly, betraying the vulnerability I'm trying so hard to hide.

"This?" He arches an eyebrow, a playful yet knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His eyes never leave mine, and the intensity of his gaze makes my heart race. The warmth in his expression contrasts with the wild energy I can sense just beneath his cool exterior.

"Feeling safe," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "And wanting more." The words hang between us, charged with an intensity that makes my pulse quicken. Raj's gaze softens, and for a moment, I swear I see a flicker of his weretiger in those warm brown eyes.

His eyes darken, the flicker of the tiger unmistakable now. "You deserve to feel safe," he murmurs, his voice a low, comforting rumble. "And you deserve more. So much more." His words wrap around me like a warm embrace, and I feel a surge of hope that maybe, just maybe, I can have the happiness I've been running from.

For a moment, we're lost in each other, the club's chaotic energy a distant memory. Here, in this bubble of connection, the world outside doesn't matter. What matters is the promise in his eyes and the warmth spreading through my chest, igniting hope where there was once only fear.

The rest of the night passes in a blur of laughter and conversations with patrons, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Raj. What is it about him? His charm? His kindness? Or something deeper?

Whatever it is, it scares me and excites me all at once. My heart races at the thought of getting closer to him, yet a part of me wants to run and hide. The conflicting emotions are almost overwhelming. But maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.

The night wraps up, and I walk out of the club with Raj. The city feels quieter at this hour. Soft, comforting glow from the streetlights bathes the streets. We make our way to a nearby diner, a place with neon signs and checkered floors that promise greasy food and endless coffee.

Raj holds the door open for me, and I step inside, the bell above the door jingling. We slide into a booth near the window, and I glance around at the few other late-night diners.

"What's your poison?" he asks, picking up the menu and scanning it with those warm brown eyes of his.

"Fries and a milkshake," I reply without hesitation, feeling a bit of my tension melt away. "You?"

"Same here. Can't beat a classic." He smiles at me, and it feels like we're sharing a secret, a little bubble of connection in the quiet hum of the diner.

The server takes our order and leaves us in a bubble of quiet. Raj leans back against the booth, his eyes studying me with that familiar intensity.

"You ever wonder how you ended up where you are?" he asks, breaking the silence that had settled between us.

"All the time," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "Feels like I've been running for so long."

"From him?" His tone is gentle yet firm, making my heart stutter in my chest.

"Yeah." I take a deep breath, trying to steady the rush of memories clawing at me. "He was controlling. Dangerous. Leaving was my only option."

Raj's eyes darken, his jaw clenching slightly. I can almost sense the weretiger within him bristling at the mere thought of my past. "I get that," he says, a protective edge creeping into his voice. "Sometimes you have to fight to survive."

"What about you?" I ask, eager to shift the focus away from my painful past. "What's your story?"

He chuckles softly, the sound warm and comforting. "Oh, it's not as dramatic as yours. Grew up here, always loved making people laugh. Comedy became my escape."

"But?" I prod gently, sensing there's more beneath his easy charm.

He sighs, his shoulders slumping slightly. "But, it's hard being on all the time. Everyone expects me to be this happy-go-lucky guy. It's exhausting."

I nod, understanding more than he knows. "I can see that," I say softly. "It must be tough to always wear a mask."

His eyes meet mine, intense and searching, filled with a vulnerability he rarely shows. "It is. But lately it feels like maybe I don't have to with you."

My heart skips a beat, and I feel a warmth spreading through me. "You don't," I whisper, the words carrying a promise I hope I can keep.

His words make my heart leap, and the walls I've built around my heart tremble, just a little. "Maybe you don't," I whisper, my voice tinged with fear and hope. Could I really let someone in again?

Raj reaches across the table, his strong, warm hand enveloping mine. The touch is grounding, reassuring. "Let's figure it out together," he says, his voice low and steady.

My pulse quickens, and for a moment, the world outside the small, dimly lit room fades away. It's just us, two souls seeking solace in each other. His presence, both human and something more, feels like a protective shield around me.