God, I loved that about her.
"Amara," I said, and I could hear the warmth in my own voice. Couldn't hide it even if I wanted to. "Right on time."
She smiled, and it was like the first warm day after a long winter. Small. Tentative. But real.
"You make it sound like I'm predictable," she said, setting her bag on the counter.
"You are," I admitted. "But in the best way."
Her cheeks darkened, that warm brown skin flushing with color that had me wanting to reach out and touch it.
See if she'd lean into my hand or pull away.
"The usual?" I asked instead.
"Please."
I moved to grab a honey-ember tart, hyper-aware of her watching me. I could feel her gaze on my back, on my hands as I plated the pastry.
Did she know what she did to me?
Did she have any idea that I'd been making these specifically for her? That I'd tested twelve different recipes before settling on this one because I wanted it to be perfect?
I slid the plate across the counter and our fingers brushed.
Just like they did every morning.
But this time, her fingertips pressed more firmly against mine, soft and warm, lingering longer than just a second.
The contact had my dragon roaring to life.
Touch. More. Claim.
Easy,I told it.
"Thank you," she said softly as my hand trembled, easing back from her.
Her bright brown eyes met mine and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
She was so beautiful and not in the polished, made-up way a lot of Omegas presented themselves. Amara was beautiful in a quiet, natural way. She didn't need any make-up, she was gorgeous just the way she was.
"Kael?" she spoke again.
I realized I'd been staring.
Fuck.
"Sorry," I said quickly. "Just... thinking."
"About what?"
You. Always you.My thoughts wanted to fly straight out of my mouth and tell her what I was thinking.
"Nothing important," I lied.
She tilted her head, studying me. "You sure?"
"Yeah," I said. "Just a long day ahead."
