And now it is time for this sad excuse of a man to know it.
Chapter 15
Taking Him Home
Aubrey
I’ve never seen someone’spupils literally turn to slits before, but watching Sundar transform from “sexy shopkeeper” to “ancient temple guardian ready to throw down” is doing things to me. Things that are completely inappropriate for a nicerestaurant where a were-puppy was just using his tail as a chew toy.
Derek’s presence feels like ice water down my back, but Sundar’s tail wraps protectively around my ankle under the table, grounding me. The contrast between them is almost laughable—Derek in his trying-too-hard Armani suit versus Sundar’s effortless power, practically radiating from every gleaming scale.
“I didn’t realize you were into exotic dining experiences now,” Derek says, managing to make it sound like I’m doing something shameful instead of eating really good fusion food with an incredibly hot naga.
Before my brain can spiral into that familiar pit of Derek-induced shame, Sundar’s voice cuts through the tension. “I wasn’t aware proper dining etiquette included interrupting other patrons’ meals.” His accent gets more pronounced when he’s angry, turning his words into something ancient and dangerous.
Derek’s face does this interesting thing where it tries to go red and pale at the same time. “I don’t believe I was speaking to you—”
“And yet here you are,” Sundar interrupts smoothly. “I find it curious that someone so concerned with appearances would display such poor manners in public.”
The way he says “poor manners” makes it sound like a capital offense. Which, given his whole temple guardian background, it might actually be.
Derek’s laugh is ugly. “Come on, Aubrey. This is a bit desperate, even for you. What, did he offer to pay off your debts in exchange for—”
Sundar moves faster than I can track. One moment he’s seated across from me, the next he’s somehow at his full height, cobra hood flared. His tail never leaves my ankle, but the rest of him towers over Derek, golden eyes literally glowing.
“Choose your next words very carefully,” Sundar says softly. “They may be your last in this establishment.”
The restaurant has gone silent. Derek takes an instinctive step back, his carefully maintained facade cracking.
And then something in me just… snaps.
“You know what, Derek?” I stand up, moving to Sundar’s side. “You’re right. This is exactly the kind of place I couldn’t afford when we were dating. Because you convinced me I didn’t deserve nice things unless they came with your approval attached.”
My voice shakes a little, but Sundar puts an arm around my waist, and I feel strong enough again to continue, “But here’s the thing—I deserve better than someone who measures my worth by my bank account. And I definitely deserve better thansomeone who interrupts my date just to try to make me feel small again.”
Derek’s mouth opens and closes, but for once, he doesn’t have a snobby response ready. Maybe because this is the first time I’ve ever really stood up to him. Or maybe because there’s a very large, very protective naga radiating centuries’ worth of don’t-fuck-with-us energy right next to me.
“Now if you’ll excuse us,” I say, amazed at how steady my voice sounds, “we were in the middle of dinner.”
Something in my tone must finally penetrate Derek’s thick skull, because he actually backs away, muttering something about “having better things to do,” which I highly doubt.
As Sundar and I settle back into our booth, I realize my hands are shaking. Not from fear this time, but from adrenaline, from pride, from the heady feeling of finally saying what I’ve wanted to say for months.
“Are you all right?” Sundar asks quietly, his eyes still tracking Derek’s retreat.
“I think I am, actually.” I take a deep breath, then reach for my wine glass. “Though I could definitely use this.”
After I take a long sip, I notice Sundar watching me closely. “What?”
“You continue to surprise me,” he says, his accent still thick with emotion. “Your strength, your resilience—” He pauses, collecting himself. “That man is fortunate I’m no longer bound by temple guardian laws.”
“Why? What would those laws have allowed?”
“Let’s just say that in my day, those who showed such disrespect rarely walked away intact.” He smiles slightly. “Though your handling of the situation was far more elegant than anything I might have done.”
“Elegant? I’m pretty sure I’m still shaking.” To prove my point, I hold up my trembling hand. “God, I can’t believe I actually stood up to him. I’ve been wanting to do that for months.”
Sundar captures my shaking hand in his, his scales cool against my skin. “You were magnificent.”
