“Okay, then. If I’m princess, what are you?”
I raise a brow.
“Oh? I get a title now?”
Jamie hums thoughtfully, eyes scanning my face like he’s looking for something in them.
“Mm. You feel like akingsometimes, but that might go to your head.”
He grins.
“Maybe…lion. Big, scary, dramatic. Always in control.”
I chuckle.
“Lion, huh?”
“Yeah,” he says, biting his lip.
“But if you don’t like it, I can be boring and just call you babe. Or baby. Whichever you prefer.”
Something tightens low in my stomach.
“Baby,” I said immediately.
“Sounds hot when you say it.”
His smile turns slow and smug.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
He tests it, voice soft and teasing.
“Okay… baby.”
Fuck.
I close my eyes for half a second, pressing my forehead to his.
“You’re dangerous.”
He laughs, then sobers, fingers curling into my shirt.
“Can I also ask you something else?”
“Always,” I say.
Jamie takes a breath.
“Why the mask?”
The question lands gently—but it hits deep.
“Why hunt me,” he continues quietly, “why hide behind it at first? Don’t get me wrong, it was incredibly hot. Clearly we both have…tastes.”
A small smile.
