What I get is Shadow in a black button-up shirt, black pants, and a tailored jacket. He might be wearing a pair of shitkickers, but from the ankles upwards he’s red carpet material.
My jaw pretty much meets the ground.
“H-hey.” I try to make that come out normal, but of course I choke-hiccup in the middle of it.
A slow, wicked grin spreads across Shadow’s face. I’m not sure if it’s my response to him dressed up that’s amusing him, or because he realizes the effect he’s having on me. I thought he was handsome before, but that suit? It fits like it was tailored to him. It’s entirely black, and god, it all looksgoodon him.
So good that I lose my breath entirely, along with my ability to say anything else.
I didn’t want to overdress, so I’m wearing a plain black pleated skirt with only one waist chain attached to the belt. I paired it with a long sleeve black shirt that I tucked in, and went for very minimal makeup and jewelry.
I swallow thickly, trying to pretend like I can’t feel my pulseeverywherebut where it should be and that my stomach isn’t flipping in crazy excited circles.
“I- do you want to come in?” I don’t know what else to say. How am I supposed to benormalright now?
He waves his free hand down the length of his suit. “I thought I’d dress for the occasion.”
“Cookies?” I choke out stupidly.
“A fancy clown show.” I look up and see that his other hand is clutching the string of a number of helium-filled balloons.
Even if Dad hadn’t warned me, I’ve figured out by now that it’s easier for Shadow to be mean. He hides who he really is behind a massive wall of sarcasm and dry, biting humor.
I reach out and tangle my hand around all the balloon strings so they don’t go floating off into the night. “I like these better than flowers. Thanks.”
I step back, tugging the balloons in with me. I let them go immediately, and they float straight up into the ceiling.
The door opens from the kitchen, since the apartment’s living room faces the street. The kitchen backs the alley and the two small bedrooms look out over the side of the next brick building between.
Shadow shuts the door behind him. He raises a brow when he notes the approximate one zillion plates of cookies that are practically drowning the kitchen.
I lift a shoulder in what I hope is a casual shrug. “I really like baking?” It would be better if it didn’t come out sounding like a question.
Shadow, bless him, can’t keep his straight, grumpy face going. His lips twitch. “Mmm. And a glass of milk to match? Warm milk?”
“I can make you warm milk. Or coffee. Or tea.”
“Woof,” he barks at me, but it’s not as unfriendly as he means it to be.
“You mean, because I’m like a trained dog?” It takes a lot to offend me. I’m not sure there’s anything this particular man could do or say that I wouldn’t forgive. I expected there’d be a good amount of assholery to cover how uncomfortable he is with coming here. “Or are you implying that you need to be leashed? Or collared and petted?”
Okay, I probably shouldn’t have gone there. My cheeks are so hot that I know they have to be scarlet, and my nipples are going to slash out of this bra. Even worse, I no longer feel my pulse in all the wrong spots. It’s been completely obliterated by the insistent throbbing at thoughts of doing extremely kinky things with this tall, jacked, deliciously sinful and off limits man.
I’d ask what the hell is wrong with me, but I already know the answer. Visual stimulation on top of five years of dreaming slash hero worship. Yes. I’ll admit it.
I point to the round wooden table with the matching oak chairs. “Do you want to sit down?”
He stares at me like I’m doubly insane for dropping that so casually after flat out saying what I did. Whatever. He was the one who barked at me. At least I didn’t start purring in response.
“Would you like it better if I just left?”
My lips part in horror. “Not at all! I was looking forward to this.” I might as well be blunt. It’s clear that I have no shame.
“That makes one of us.”
“I’m glad you came, even if you didn’t want to.”
“How could I resist cookies and forced company?”
