Page 134 of Pretty Little Shadow
I slid the romper off. Darius gave me the shorts and stepped around my back, pulling my bra into place for me lightly.
He tugged my shirt over my head afterward, and ran a hand slowly through my hair. "You're even more beautiful like this, baby."
"Don't push your luck."
He chuckled, taking my hand and leading me out to the garage.
We were pulling awayfrom the house a few minutes later.
I fiddled with the radio, turning on quiet music. "You never told me what you thought of me after we met," I said. "When we saw each other at Merrily's house, and I told her that Grayson was going to abduct her."
He snorted. "I fantasized about you constantly. Even while I was fucking other people. I knew it wasn't healthy, but I couldn't stop myself. I got off a lot easier than I ever had before, thinking about you."
I grimaced. "I'm not sure if I should want to murder people for that, or be turned on by it."
"Both?" he suggested."What did you think about me?"
"I was... fascinated, I guess. I thought about you every day. I wanted to see you again, but I ignored it. Obviously. I thought I was just being obsessive, like always. What did you think after we went to Grayson's fight together?"
"I fucking loved talking to you. Everything was darker after you left. My family clung to me. I had a harder time acting like I was fine. I wanted you badly, but I didn't let myself believe you could be mine. I couldn't fuck anyone else, either. The idea was so unappealing that I didn't even try, which was why I got the coffee shop job. So I could still make bargains."
The conversation continued.
We only paused for a little while when we bought a stack of corndogs from a food truck. We walked along the river while weate them, until there was no one around. Or no one close enough to hear us, at least.
Then we sat down on the edge of the pavement that framed the river, with our legs dangling, and we kept talking.
Our sides pressed together as we cuddled up close, staring out at the rolling water while our conversation went on.
And on.
And on.
I saw the gleam of colorful scales and fins in the water a few times. Mermaids or monsters out swimming, probably.
We were both emotionally drained when we eventually went back to the car while the sun rose. Someone snapped pictures of us, but I was over it.
If they wanted pictures, they could have them. We were mates. That wasn't going to change.
Darius buckled me into the passenger seat and drove me home while I fought my heavy eyelids, trying hard to stay awake and absolutely failing.
I didn't wake up until he was sliding into bed with me in his arms, holding me to his chest.
"Dare?" I mumbled.
"Yeah, baby?" He sounded as exhausted as I felt.
"I love you too. I wasn't sure before, but I am now."
"I know. I should've realized it when you shared your food with me."
"Me too. Can I be all-in now?"
He gave me a low, rough chuckle. "I'll drag you all-in with my teeth if I have to."
My lips curved a little. "Good. I like being mated to you."
"That's the best compliment you could fucking give me," he murmured.
