"Morning," she said, her voice quiet.
Amara had this quietly shy way about her and it drew me to her.
I loved that about her. The way she seemed to fold into herself around other people but opened up just a little when it was just the two of us.
"Amara," I said, and I knew I was smiling too wide because I just couldn't help myself. "I was hoping you'd come by."
"You say that every morning," she pointed out, setting her bag on the counter.
"Because it's true every morning."
Her cheeks went pink and she looked down at the display case.
God, I wanted to reach across the counter and tilt her chin up. Wanted to tell her she didn't have to hide from me.
That I saw her, all of her.
"The honey-ember tarts are back," she said.
"I made extra today," I admitted. "Figured you might want one."
She paused, something flickering across her face. A hint of surprise rode across her features or maybe it was hope.
Please let it be hope.
"I'll take one," she said. "And a coffee. Black."
"No sugar?" I raised an eyebrow, teasing her just a little. "You sure you don't want to live a little?"
"I live plenty," she shot back, and there was a spark in her eyes that made my dragon rumble with approval.
There she is.
"Good," I said, my smile widening.
I turned to the coffee station, my hands working on autopilot. I could feel her watching me and it took everything I had not to turn around and stare back.
Her scent was stronger today. Lavender and old paper, with something sweeter underneath. Something that made my Alpha instincts sit up and pay attention.
Is she close to a heat?
The thought sent a jolt of possessiveness through me that I immediately shoved down.
Not your place. Not unless she asks.
I slid the tart and coffee across the counter, my fingers brushing hers as she reached for them.
The contact immediately sent a shock up my arm that had me reeling.
Claim her, my dragon whispered. She's ours.
Not yet, I told it again.
"Amara?" I said before I could stop myself.
She paused, the tart halfway to her mouth. "Yeah?"
I wanted to tell her. Wanted to lay it all out. The truth about who I was, what I felt, why I'd been baking for her like a lovesick fool for the past six months.
