I Want You the Way a Man Wants a Woman

I walked the fifteen-minute journey in six. My legs carried me before my mind could catch up, everything was a blur. People called out questions about Papa’s health as I rushed past, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t even look at them. Their voices were soft echoes chasing me down the road, fading before they could reach me.

I was angry. Angry at myself. Angry that I let Veylor kiss me again. Angry that I almost gave myself to him like I had no sense at all. Thank goodness it didn't happen behind closed doors—or I would never forgive myself.

“What was I even thinking?” I muttered. “Or no, what was he thinking? That I’m twenty-four and stupid?”

My voice rose slightly as I walked faster. “It’s obvious he… he just wants to get into my panties. That’s all. And there he was, making promises with that stupid camera around his neck and those hypnotizing dimples—”

I kept mumbling until the herb shop appeared ahead. I hadn’t noticed Corven standing at the entrance, arms folded, eyes narrowed, like he’d been watching me for a while. His brows lifted when he caught my lips moving without sound.

“Did something happen again?” His voice snapped me back.

“I—no, I…” I stuttered, then took a slow, steadying breath. I forced what I hoped looked like a normal smile. “I’m perfectly fine.”

But the smile vanished immediately. Corven didn’t believe me. I saw it in the way his eyes followed me as I walked past and into the shop. I didn’t care. I just wanted to get inside before anything else snapped in me. And more than anything, I prayed my mind-reading ability wouldn’t return. I wasn’t ready to hear whatever chaos was swirling in Corven’s head—not after what happened with Veylor.

Since the last time I heard Corven’s thoughts word for word, everything had gone silent again. The ability had vanished as suddenly as it came. I wasn’t surprised. It always came and went on its own terms. But I hoped with everything in me that it never returned.

I already had too much to deal with. Knowing people’s thoughts, carrying their secrets, their darkness, their wants—no. I didn’t want that weight. I had enough problems of my own. My chest tightened just thinking about it, and my hands curled into fists.

The shop smelled faintly of dried herbs and wax. I shook my head, trying to push away the whirlwind of thoughts about Veylor and focus on what mattered now: work.

Hours slipped by like they knew how badly I wanted the day to end. Yet it wasn’t boring. It was filled with customers, questions, complaints, and a steady stream of stress. With people trooping in and out nonstop, I couldn’t decide if I should be happy that we were making sales or sad that so many were sick.

The clock ticked on, relentless, until 5:16 pm when Tallis walked in.

He looked… different. Dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up just enough to show a hint of his forearms, and dark navy trousers that fit him perfectly, he had a freshness about him that made him glow. His hair was neatly combed back, and a faint sweet, woody scent trailed with him.

He walked straight toward my counter, still smiling, and the room seemed to warm around him.

I couldn’t help but return the smile, curious.

“What’s going on, Tallis? What are you hiding?” I asked, leaning a little closer so I could catch a sniff of him. He smelled… really good.

Among all my siblings, Tallis had always been my favorite. He was kind, affectionate, and gentle in a way that made it easy to trust him. I remembered how he and Corven would argue over who got to babysit me when we were younger. I was closer to him than Corven, even though Corven looked out for me more.

“What are you hiding, big man?” I teased again.

Tallis blushed and looked away, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Where’s Corven?” he asked suddenly, trying to focus.

“He stepped out to get more herbs,” I said. “We were out of some.”

His chest rose with a deep breath, and the smile returned, brighter this time.

“I… I wanted to talk to you about something,” he said, eyes flicking to mine. “Only if you’re not too busy.”

“I’m not,” I said, stepping out from behind the counter. My curiosity was already racing.

He looked so happy, so… changed. My instincts told me this had to be about a girl. And I couldn’t wait to know who had gotten my brother this cheerful and glowing.

I stared into Tallis’s face, urging him to speak. But he didn’t. He just stood there like a statue, looking straight into my eyes as if he had fallen somewhere deep inside himself.

“Tallis?” I called softly.

No response.

“Tallis?” I tried again, louder.

Still nothing. I waved a hand in front of him, and he didn’t even blink. That was when I knew this was more serious than I thought. What could make Tallis zone out like this, right in the middle of a conversation?

I shook his hands gently.

“Tallis, hey—”

He suddenly snapped back and immediately gripped my hands like he was afraid I would vanish.

“Okay, Tallis, what’s going on? You’re getting me worried.”

He smiled again—that nervous smile—and whispered, “I’m sorry. I was just… trying to let the words out.”

“What? Since when do you choose your words before talking to me?” I asked. “Or is it that you don’t see me as your sister anymore the way my sisters don’t?”

My gaze dropped, but he quickly lifted my chin.

“That will never happen,” he said.

“Then tell me what it is. Everything.”

He inhaled deeply—so deeply it made me hold my breath without meaning to. His hands tightened around mine, and then he said it.

“I want you, Kaelith.”

I froze.

“What?”

A small laugh slipped out. Then a bigger one. Then I was fully laughing because—what else could that possibly mean? Surely he didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I kept laughing, waiting for him to laugh too, but he didn’t. He only stared.

My laughter died.

“Okay, back to what you were saying. Tallis, be serious.”

He stepped closer, face unreadable.

“I’m not joking.”

“What do you mean you want me?”

Everything spilled out of him.

“I’ve been trying to bottle up my emotions, Kay, but I can’t anymore. You’re my sister, yes, but I love you. I want you the way a man wants a woman.”

The words hit me like a slap. I yanked my hands out of his grip, stunned, air barely moving.

And before I could speak, another voice tore through the room—

“Have you gone mad?! Kaelith is our sister, Tallis!”

We both spun around. Corven stood behind us, herbs scattered on the ground, his face burning with fury.