He shrugged. “It’s just what I’m used to.”
I put my other palm on top of Matteo’s, sandwiching him between my hands. “Well, nothing about you isnormalto me. You’re amazing in every possible way.”
A blush danced across his cheeks. The swelling around his eyes had all but disappeared, putting his beautiful brown eyes on full display. There was no doubt about who he was anymore. Those were the same eyes that watched over me every night from that glossy poster. The man before me was a decade older, but he was still the Aquila I fell in love with, the one I obsessed over.
I squeezed his hand tighter. Now that he was in my grasp, I would never,everlet him go.
“Made up your minds, boys?” Gaius asked, popping up beside us like a whack-a-mole.
I hadn’t even looked at the menu. How could I when Matteo was right across from me? It would be like ordering food from a delivery app while standing in front of the Mona Lisa.
“I don’t care,” I said. “Double the portion of whatever Matteo’s getting. We’ll share.”
Matteo smiled, apparently amused by my one-track mind. “All right,” he said, using his non-grasped hand to give the menu back to Gaius. “We’ll share the sushi platter.”
“An excellent choice!” Gaius said, gathering the menus. “Though, I doubt even the exquisite food will steal Thystle’s attention away from you.”
“What’d you say?” I asked.
He pranced off. “Nothing. I’m gone now!”
I leaned forward, wanting to be closer to Matteo. I could’ve stared at him the entire time, but I knew it was my responsibility as the alpha bachelor to lead the conversation. Stupid TV etiquette.
“So, how have the Games been for you so far?” I asked.
Matteo tilted his head thoughtfully. “Very different from season one.”
“In a bad way?”
“Not at all. Eventful would be a better word,” he corrected. “It’s more excitement than I’m used to.”
That was an odd thing to say. Matteo was literally a superstar. He toured, sang at sold out concerts, and was swarmed by fans at every single meet-and-greet. He was fuckingAquila, for Holy Drake’s sake. How could a crappy game show be exciting to him?
Then again, he’d been out of the spotlight for ten years, and I still didn’t know why. I itched to ask him. I wanted to know both as a fan and as somebody who cared for him. The circumstances of TalonStorm’s break up were cloudy, and no clear answerwhyever surfaced in the media and tabloids. No matter what happened, a big life change like that couldn’t have been easy.
“But don’t get me wrong,” Matteo said, stroking the top of my hand with his thumb. “I’m having the time of my life here with you, Thystle.”
My heart stuttered. Fuck, I could’ve grabbed his face and kissed him, but that wasn’t allowed. Not on camera, anyway. I imagined a miniature version of Jade in my mind, shaking his head and wagging his finger disapprovingly at me. That was enough to narrowly dodge the impulse... for now.
It was fine. Once darkness fell and this date was over, I fully intended on breaking the rules.
“I feel the same way,” I said. “If that wasn’t glaringly obvious.”
He chuckled, a soft blush dusting his cheeks. “I figured.” He paused, gaze going distant as he appeared to gather his thoughts. “You know, there’s something—”
His beautiful voice was interrupted by a loud, jarring yell. The nails-on-chalkboard sound irked me. When I turned around, I saw the last thing I wanted to see—Talon, running straight for us with a triumphant expression. Security kobolds ran after him, but Talon’s long legs afforded him a greater stride. They couldn’t keep up.
My dragon soul swelled inside me. It crackled beneath the surface of my skin, keen to break free and put an end to this bullshit. But Talon was great at making an ass out of himself. I may as well let him say his piece. It was good TV.
Besides, Matteo was safe behind me. I’d never let that man touch him, or even speak to him again. All Matteo needed to do was say the word and I’d bite his head off—figuratively, of course.
Unless he wanted me to do it literally. I’d do that, too.
I looked over my shoulder. Matteo rested his chin on his hands and sighed. He looked equally sick of Talon’s BS.
“I’m gonna deal with the situation. I’ll be back in a minute,” I promised Matteo.
He nodded. “Don’t take too long. This is stillourdate, remember?”
