I laughed, jumped out of bed, and snatched up a pillow, holding it out in front of myself like a shield. “What are you afraid of?”
I could tell they were trying not to laugh at my dorkiness, but a snort still came through. “Nothing.”
I stepped closer, and when I was within reach, I lunged forward, shoved my hand out toward their side, and gave them a little tickling squeeze.
They screamed again, hopped away, jumped on the bed, and ran across it, leaping down from the other side, screaming, “You dickhead!”
I laughed again, dropped the pillow on the bed, and held my hands up in surrender. “Peace. I come in peace.”
“What are you? An alien?”
“Nope. Just a dragon that wants to kiss his mate.” I sent them a wink, and they did this little squirmy thing with their whole body that was absolutely adorable.
“Is that right?”
“Mhm.”
“What’re you gonna give me for a kiss?”
I pouted. “A kiss from me isn’t enough?”
They pointed at me. “Nope. No pouting. You’re not allowed to look all handsome and sexy and strong all the time, and then pull out a pout that actually looks adorable. Nope. Not allowed.”
That made me laugh. “You think I’m sexy?”
They rolled their eyes. “Everyone in the entire world thinks you’re sexy.”
I snorted at that ridiculousness and started slowly making my way around the bed, pleased when Oakley didn’t back away, although they still pointed their brush at me like they were ready to stab me at a moment’s notice. But that was my Oakley. Always wanting to push my buttons and drive me insane while still somehow being the sweetest and most selfless person I knew.
I said, “That’s definitely not true.”
They chuckled at that and rolled their eyes. “Weren’t you named the sexiest man in Gauhala like three years in a row?”
I groaned. “Don’t even bring that up.”
They chuckled, a gleam in their eyes. “Um, I’m definitely bringing it up. People are obsessed with you.”
“How did you even find out about that? That magazine’s been gone for at least a decade.” And thank the Mother of Scales.
“Jed showed me.”
I sighed. “Of course he did.”
“Oh, Scales. I just thought of the perfect Winter Solstice present for you.”
“That’s like ten months away or something.”
They shrugged. “Then a birthday present.”
I stared at them for a long moment, my eyes narrowing. “Don’t even think about printing and framing those magazine covers.”
They cackled. “How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”
I stepped up to them and wrapped my arm around their back, tugging them closer to me until our chests were almost touching. The brush was in the way, though, so I plucked it out of their hand, placed it on the dresser, and pulled them even closer. Meeting their gaze, I whispered, “Because I know you and have been, maybe, just a little bit obsessed with you for the last few months.”
They grinned. “That’s nice to hear because I’ve been just the teeniest, tiniest bit obsessed with you too.”
“Oh, just a tiny bit?”
