So we’re just… flirting now? As if a year of pain and separation didn’t drive a huge wedge into what was developing between us?
Whatever that was… it sent a jolt of heat into my body.
I watch him from behind as he stalks the aisle. His thin, black, long-sleeved shirt is more filled out than before, and I might be imagining it, but he seems even taller. How old is he now? Twenty-five? Do dragon shifters still grow in their early twenties? I admittedly don’t know the answer to that one.
I finally take off after him, unsure what to say now.
“Hey, you can’t just do that, you know?”
“Do what?” His eyes trail along a few dresses on the wall as he pretends to act clueless.
“Just… whatever that was back there.”
He finally turns to look at me again. “Elle, I just missed out on an entire year and a half with you. Time that I could have spent with you, getting toknow you even deeper, and learning every inch of your body. Everything else that happened in between, we can talk about when we actually have time alone. But I’m not going to waste another moment pretending that every single thing about you doesn’t drive me absolutely fucking wild.”
My breath hitches and my pulse races as I look into his mesmerizing gaze. “It’s just… when I first saw you again I wasn’t sure you still…”
I was terrified, devastated that he didn’t feel the same anymore.
“You weren’t sure I still wanted you?” He runs his hands down the sides of his face. “I’m sorry my reaction wasn’t great that first night. I… didn’t expect to see what I saw. After months of desperately searching… it just threw me off.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“No. I’m sorry. You have nothing to be sorry for. I wanted to fucking kill—”
“Here we are,” the seamstress returns with a handful of colorful outfits. Everything but purple seems to be there. I guess blue will be my new color.
I step closer and assess the piles, picking a couple things. “Can we start with these?” I ask.
“Excellent choices. Let me know if you need any help. There’s a curtain just this way.” She looks back and eyes Daegan. “And a seat for your handsome companion.”
“Thank you,” he says with a sly smirk.
I roll my eyes and turn back around, smiling as I pull the curtain shut with gusto.
“I’ll be right out here.”
“Okay…”
I pause, and my smile grows bigger. Can we really pick back up right where we left off? Is that what I want? Is that really what he wants? It seems like such a silly time to worry about that, given that we’re on the run and attempting to commit treason, among other things, but it’s impossible not to think about him when he’s just… always right there.
I step into the first blue dress. It’s light, flowy, and airy, with a bodice that’s relaxed and not too constricting, and a skirt that flows easily. I’m not sure I really have use for any dresses at the moment, but you never know when we might need to sneak into somewhere that requires more formal attire to blend in.
I clear my throat.
“Are you okay?” Daegan immediately responds.
“Yeah… fine.”
“Need any help?”
I hesitate for a moment. “Could you… help me tie the back, please?”
I hear him get up, so I pull the curtain to the side. Our eyes meet for a moment before he places his calloused hands on my shoulders and slowly turns me so I’m facing the mirror. He begins to tie it gently.
There’s a chilling silence as his fingers maneuver the strings, and it feels like he’s taking his time doing it. I focus on his beautiful, relaxed yet focused face in the mirror.
“There,” he finally says, dropping the tied strings against my back.
