Except Dylan knew damn well that wasn’t the problem at all. The problem was him. He couldn’t deal with the fact that he would have to live a life without her; that one day soon she’d have to leave him behind and move on with her life. She’d forget him while he’d wish things were different for the rest of his life. The storm taking over inside made him push her away because why save the heartbreak for later? He could savor the bitter feeling swirling inside him and hope it’d turn into hate and secretly knowing it never would.
Except it was getting to be too much. He hated that she left his room, his bed. She started sleeping in Luxe’s room when he started being an ass.
He stood outside their door. He needed to air everything out and let her decide what she wanted to do. She was a grown-ass woman who didn’t need him to make decisions for her. He knew that yet he wasn’t ready for reality. He knocked softly on her door.
“A moment,” her soothing voice called out. His nerves rose by the minute. What if he’d messed up everything permanently? What if she’d realized that she wasn’t really in love with him — could that happen within three days? Flora ripped the door open, dressed in her signature baby blue blazer set with a white what she called a “bustier” thing underneath. She was stunning, as always. She glowed and sparkled from the lotion she'd put on.
“Look, I’m ready to get this over with. And this whole 'meeting with each other's animals' thing scares me shitless, but I trust you. I trust you to do your job wholeheartedly. So, please, stop my panther from doing something that could get her, we, reported to The Council.”
“Of course, Flora, but that’s not what I’m here for,” he said, smashing his fidgeting hands into his pockets. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?”
“Yes, I’m apologizing. I’ve been a cold-hearted ass, as someone recently told me, and I’m sorry.” He looked up at her. She stayed completely still as he went on, giving no indication of resentment or forgiveness. “I’m scared, my feelings for you are very real and very deep and I…I’m completely in love with you, Flora Larkspur.”
“Dylan," she said, looking at him, a small smile on her face. “I love you.”
Time froze, as he knew it would. Inside he was jumping around, his heart pounded with excitement. His cheeks felt completely flushed, but it wasn’t the right time.
“How do you know that? How do you know it's not some hero complex or Stockholm syndrome or something?” he asked, even though he really, really didn’t want to.
He wanted to wrap his arms around her. Wanted to whisper in her ear that he loved her too again and again.
“Time will have to tell,” she said, and she was right. “But for now, let’s just play it out.”
“Play it out?”
“Yeah, let’s play it out,'' she muttered. She grabbed the collar of his flannel, pulling him down to meet her lips and there was no stopping her this time. He pulled her waist closer, their bodies melting together as their lips finally met. Breathing her in, he tried to pull her closer. To deepen the kiss he’d waited for since he last kissed her in the hotel room. His forehead rested heavily on hers. Soaking in her breaths, he felt her body lock into place against his. This wasright, even if only for the time being.
“Okay, horny teenagers, it's time to step into the room or break it up. There are kids around here,” Eddie joked from down the hall. Separating from Flora, Dylan laid his head on her shoulder before responding.
“There are no kids around here, smartass.”
“With the way y’all are going there will be soon.”
Flora dragged his arms from around her waist and pulled him into her room. Laughing and flushed with heat and slight embarrassment, they dropped onto the bed, Dylan curling his body around hers. He peppered kisses down her neck and felt his lips curl into a smile he couldn’t get rid of even if he tried.
“I need to do my hair tonight,” Flora whined, tangling her fingers in his wavy, dark hair.
“Yeah?” Dylan asked, willing his confidence to make a move.
“Yeah, and Willow's not here to help me, again.”
“I could help,” Dylan rushed out, refusing to make eye contact.
“You know how?”
“I practiced.”
“On who?” Flora gasped, surprise taking over her smile.
“On Eddie…”
“Well, let's get to work, then. Are you sure you want to help? It's a long process.”
“Of course, I’m sure. Where's the extra hair?”
“Extra hair?”
