I want this night to never end, so I’m forever stuck in this impossible dream of perfect love. “Thank you for saving me from the river.”
When the cocky grin turns into something I can’t describe in any other way but soulful, my heart beats ever faster. I could lose myself in him, and make what was meant to be a silly rebound after Richie my whole personality.
“Destiny guided my hand, but when you told me how you died, I knew you were the right choice.”
I chuckle, gently wrapping a strand of blood red hair around my finger. “They said chivalry’s dead, but I have my very own knight in shining armor.”
“For you, I will polish it every night.” Tristan gives me another kiss, and I’m glad he’s holding me, because my knees are soft. “Where do we go?”
I point to the door but then reconsider when I think back to the many clothes I dropped to the floor as I was looking for the perfect outfit to wear tonight. A half-eaten sandwich surely still sits on my desk, and I can’t be sure if Lady wasn’t allowed in my room while I was away. I twitch in his arms in a sudden state of panic. “Actually, no! You need to wait.”
When he frowns, looking almost hurt, I rub his chest and correct myself. “I’m not prepared for guests. Let me just tidy up before you come in.”
“Sweetheart, I once had the contents of a dragonling’s stomach burst all over me after I killed it. I’m not afraid of a little mess.” But his wings pull back and he lets me down gently.
I have no idea what he’s talking about, but it does sound dreadful. “Maybe, but I was raised to put my best foot forward. It won’t even be five minutes,” I promise, stepping away from his warm, fragrant arms.
I expect more pushback, but he offers me a little bow, and then lowers himself to kiss my wrist as if it were some precious thing.
"In case you get lost, I'll know where to find you," he says, and I'm not sure whether that's a threat, or just insanely romantic.
I’m so overcome by emotion I almost trip on my way to the entrance, but when the key finally slides in, I step in and close the door behind me, because none of it feels real.
Heat washes over me as I take several deep breaths, but I can’t make him wait forever and head straight for my apartment. I walk in soundlessly in case Viola is already sleeping, but then I see a light in the living room as I pass, so I walk in to check on Lady.
“Oh, my God! Nate! Did you forget how to knock?” Viola yells, grabbing a blanket off the floor while my chaos-riddled brain takes in the scene.
A half-naked guy lifts himself on top of her and scowls. “What the fuck, man?”
I spin around, then close my eyes, because I can still see the reflection of Viola’s boobs in the hallway mirror.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”
“Well, you can now leave and close the door,” the guy says.
“Just so you know, I also have someone over.”
“Shut up,” Viola shouts, gasping and clearly no longer annoyed. “Wait, I’m coming,” she says, climbing off the couch.
“Seriously?” the guy asks, but she shushes him with a loud kiss.
“I’ll be a minute. Don’t go anywhere.”
He groans, but soon enough, Viola joins me in the corridor, closing the door of the living room. I peek through my fingers, but she’s now wrapped in a blanket.
“Lady is asleep in my room, I fed her and everything. Now tell me how Richie took it. And where is the rebound guy?” she lowers her voice, glancing at the door to my room. Clearly, she doesn’t care much for her hookup, so I take a deep breath and meet her gaze.
“The rebound guy is waiting outside. He helped me wreck Richie’s car and dueled him for my honor. I am not even joking.”
Her face, still painted into the tiger mask she was working on earlier, twists, and she utters a choked laugh. “Girl! Sounds like a keeper! Will he be your new mister?”
I cup my face with both hands and I am burning just as hot as I feared. “He also brought me here on horseback. I know it’s too early to talk about love but—”
“Your grandparents literally fell in love at first sight,” Viola argues and squeezes my shoulder. “You deserve for someone to fall head over heels for you too!”
I drag my hands down my cheeks. “Viola. He’s so swoony. It’s insane. Who am I kidding? You’ll meet him if you’re around in the morning.”
She dances in place with a squeal. “So exciting. Death to shitty Richie. All hail…”
