My gaze drifts over her automatically as she studies them. The warm gold will pick up the tone of her skin. The color in her eyes. The burnished highlights in her hair.
Perfect.
My little bird deserves beautiful things. I wanted something she could wear every day, Something quiet enough that it fits her life but specific enough that she'd know exactly why I chose it.
Birds. Her name. My nickname for her.
Her fingers hover over the earrings. “Silas…” she breathes.
I watch her face. “They’re simple,” I say, shrugging one shoulder. “Figured they fit you.”
Her eyes lift to mine. “They’re perfect.”
She sweeps her hair over one shoulder. It stirs her warm, caramel scent.
Mine.
I clamp down on the thought and focus on Lark. She’s carefully sliding the first earring into place. I watch her hands. Then she flips her hair to the other shoulder and adds the second.
I brush my fingers along her neck and the curve of her ear. She shivers. Her eyes go soft.
“How do they look?” she asks.
I cup her chin, tilting her head slightly so the light catches the gold. “Perfect,” I say quietly.
For a moment neither of us moves. Then she steps closer. It’s subtle, but it pulls her right into my space. Her warm caramel scent wraps around me. Deeper now.
My alpha wakes up again.
She lifts a hand, fingers grazing the front of my shirt. “You’re very good at this courting thing,” she murmurs.
I huff a quiet laugh. “Don’t tell Graham. He’ll turn it into a competition.”
Her lips twitch. Then she leans up and kisses me. It’s soft. I let it stay that way for about half a second before my hand slides to the back of her neck and I pull her closer.
She makes a small sound against my mouth.
Christ.
My grip tightens automatically, instincts pushing for more. Deeper. Closer. I force myself to ease up before things get out of hand. When we finally break apart, she’s breathing a little faster. So am I.
Her fingers drift up to touch one of the earrings. “I love them,” she says.
Good. Because seeing them on her is going to drive me half out of my mind.
I kiss the soft skin between her brows. “You ready?”
She studies me for another second, clearly suspicious, then nods. “Where are we going?”
I grab my keys from the counter. “You’ll see.”
Her eyes narrow. “That’s what Graham said, too.”
A slow grin pulls at the corner of my mouth. “I love Graham like a brother, but I promise, this date won’t be anything like what he planned for you.”
She follows me toward the door, curiosity written all over her face.
Outside, the evening air is cool, the last of the sunset fading behind the trees. I open the passenger door for her, waiting until she slides inside before walking around. When I climb in and start the engine, she turns toward me.
