"Really?" Crimson asked. His hand inched closer to mine across the table. "I can't imagine why a handsome tiger like yourself wouldn't be in high demand."
I felt my heart pounding in my throat. Where did all these compliments come from? Was he trying to put me on edge? Was this another game, another challenge?
"I don't know," I mumbled.
Crimson's eyes pierced mine. Those glinting ruby shards were impossible to break away from. They sucked me in, demanding my attention. Was this an alpha dragon's power?
I suddenly remembered the airplane pilot mentioning magic. That put a damper on my heightened feelings.
"You're using magic on me, aren't you?" I asked cynically.
Crimson frowned hard, his brows knitting together. "I wouldneverdo such a thing."
Hearing that I'd genuinely offended him made me feel guilty. "I'm sorry. That was rude of me."
Thankfully, he got over it quickly, returning to his previous teasing demeanor.
"That's all right," Crimson said. In a soft, alluring voice, he added, "Besides, I don't need magic to win you over, Taylor."
My heart fluttered like a trapped butterfly. I wasn't used to this flustered sensation. My skin felt hot and tingly, and it was harder to breathe than usual.
After the waiter cleared our table, Crimson stood. He offered me a hand to get up. Normally I would've refused, but I felt woozy and didn't trust my knees. I took his hand. It was warm and softer than I’d imagined.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening," Crimson said. I could tell he meant every word sincerely.
"You're welcome. I should thank you."
He looked pleased, which was oddly cute. Maybe I could afford to be less of a sourpuss towards him.
I noticed he was still holding my hand. I didn't bother to move it. He didn't, either. My pulse flickered. Crap. We held hands for so long that my palm was sweaty.
"Guess I should head back," I mumbled, retracting my hand.
"Mm."
Neither of us made a move to leave. My skin tingled where we'd touched, a phantom sensation left behind.
A thought came to me like a sudden lightning strike, powerful and searing-hot, scorching my mind: I wanted more of Crimson.
My cheeks flushed with heat. I turned around.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," I said.
I heard the tiniest crumb of disappointment in his voice. "Yes. Tomorrow."
As I got off the platform, I felt a gnawing resentment towards the cameras. I knew I'd signed up for constant filming, but it got old fast. I wished they weren't there, tracking my every move. It was invasive, but hey, wasn't that the point of a reality TV show? I'd made the choice to be filmed. Now I had to live with it.
But because of the cameras, I couldn't be fully authentic with Crimson. I remembered Alaric's goading, and how he played to the cameras. I wasn't like that. I was already a reserved person, and having lenses thrust in my face only made me want to retreat deeper into my stoic shell.
I just wanted a moment alone with Crimson.Trulyalone. Maybe then I could untangle these weird feelings I had towards him...
Was that too much to ask?
Ten
Crimson
I desperately hoped sittingbehind a table during dinner blocked my raging erection from the camera.
