What a world, that he thinks he wants me.
“Two...”
By the count of three, he’s back with such speed that many of the treasures blow off the shelves.
I have an instant to react, my wrath at myself flaring out.
Because gods damn it, I didn’t mean to make him rush so hard he broke everything precious to him because I’m impatient—
A magenta miasma pours out of me.
I don’t want to just break things. I want tosavethem.
The treasures around the room slow as if gently settling into a cushion of pink cloud, lowering them to the floor.
I stare, not entirely sure what I just did or how, mentally reviewing the kata I imagined on impulse that I didn’t even have time to move through—
Zan sits down beside me and kisses my temple. “Thank you. I didn’t think.”
Neither did I. “I’m sorr—”
“No.” He cuts me off. “No apologies.”
I glare at him. “Then you don’t get to blame yourself either.”
Zan rolls his eyes. “Fine. Turn your head so I can reach your hair.”
I blink. “What?”
He holds up a comb, which I belatedly realize was the whole point of him leaving the room in the first place.
“What does a comb have to do with mating?” I ask.
“Maybe if you turn around you’ll find out.”
Argh.
It figures that I’d fall in love with someone who could aggravate me like no one else.
With a huff I turn my back to him and Zan moves further onto the bed behind me.
And damn it, I don’t know if this is what he had in mind, but already my heartrate is kicking up just from that.
Him at my back.
Him where I can’t see him, and the anticipation—
Gently, he touches my hair, smoothing it.
My skin warms, just from that.
This time, I know it’s not magic.
“You have exploded bed in your hair,” Zan murmurs. “I don’t want that to distract you.”
Fromwhat, I want to shout, but that’s clearly what he wants me to wonder about so I obstinately keep my mouth shut.
I do wonder, though, so I grudgingly admit his sally found its mark.
