Working on finishing up the next chapter of Where You Going, Sunshine? (Sisterhood of the traveling pants au) and while Iâm enjoying writing Emma again, I have to admit that mentally Iâm still stuck on Samira and mohabbotâs chapter, and very specifically here when they talk for the first time:
âYou always ask this many questions?â
âWhy?â Samira smirked. âCanât handle me?â
âOh, Iâm positive I could handle you,â Jack replied in a low, certain voice, adding with a playful smile, âif you wanted me to.â
Samira swallowed thickly, unable to stop the way her eyes fluttered at the insinuation and the weight it held when he was standing so close to her. âIf,â she echoed, the word her least favorite subordinating conjunction of them all. It presented too many variables and conditions she did not want to have to account for.
âIf,â he repeated, leaning in closer. She couldnât recall any other boy ever daring to stand so close. He smelled like dried summer sweat, an airy musk that wrapped around her like melted sun and sweet, dewy grass. She started to inch forward, whether to close the gap or to prove she was up to the challenge he seemed to be offering she wasnât sure. Stepping back, he chuckled, âmy concern has more to do with keeping up with you. Iâm not sure Iâm quick enough.â
Not missing a beat, she replied, âIâll slow down if you need me to, old man.â A tingling thrill zipped through her nerves like little lightning strikes dancing underneath her skin. She wasnât usually good at talking to people, let alone making a move. She was the kind of person who could only come up with the right comeback days later upon replaying an event in her head and revising her initial responses. But there was a magnetic pull Jack seemed to have that clung to and brought out the best parts of her. She didnât feel clueless when talking to him, and she wasnât just talking⌠She was flirting. And by the bashful expression that had suddenly overtaken Jackâs face, she was doing it well.
âAlright,â he laughed, shaking his head, âIâm not that old, kiddo.â
âJust too old for this job,â she teased. âThis is a more appropriate gig for a teenager.â
âYou only think that because youâve never seen a teenager attempt this gig,â Jack responded. âThey donât have the confidence to work the stage or the crowd to really sell the performance.â
âYou know I do,â Jack said, leaning in again, âotherwise you wouldnât have watched my whole set.â Before Samira could reply with another quippy retort, he continued, âto answer your earlier question- no. I did not always dream of doing this. I just needed a break from the real world.â
âWhy?â Samira caught herself, âwait. No. Sorry. Thatâs too personal, right?â
Jack chuckled, nodding, âprobably, but you donât strike me as the kind to stop just because you see a line.â
âIâm famous for being too strict about rules, actually,â Samira replied.
âThatâs a different thing. Breaking a rule and crossing a line are two different things.â
âRules are fairly definite,â Jack explained with a shrug, taking another small step forward, âa line is a little more arbitrary, more flexible. You only really cross it if it doesnât bend for you. Iâd venture to guess,â his eyes were on her like a midday summer sun, unforgivingly burning, âthe world bends for you, Samira.â
She wanted him to say her name again, liking the way the syllables stuck to the low voice in his throat like raw honey. âAre you saying youâd bend for me, Jack?â She batted her eyes at him subconsciously, angling her head till her mouth was close enough to his face that there was no mistaking the invitation being given. When had they gotten so close? Sheâd never kissed anyone before, never felt compelled to tangle herself up in the arms of another, but the urge with Jack was second nature to her.
Jack scoffed and shook his head, a cheeky grin spreading across his face as he took a step back and said, âyouâre trouble, kiddo.â
When I tell you that 35 year old Jack Abbot is in for the guilt trip of his life next Mohabbot chapter because heâs falling in love with 21 year old Samira Mohan, who is relentless in her pursuit of him⌠someone pray for him.
Continue reading chapter six on ao3
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