Page 87 of Pretty Little Shadow
I barely hearda word the manager said as she showed me around the back part of the café, including the kitchen, break room, and bathroom. When she led me out into the space behind the counter, where everyone was making drinks and taking orders, my gaze lingered on Dare's back.
I followed her—until I realized she was leading me straight to him.
Shit.
Mayday.
This was a bad idea.
I wanted to leave, but my shadows no longer worked for transportation. And the manager was already calling out, "Scorch, I need you to train someone."
"Carla, you know I don't—" Dare cut himself off when he glanced over his shoulder and saw me.
I tried not to fidget.
Totally failed.
I was going to have a fucking meltdown.
His lips stretched in a slow, sexy smile. "Hey, Shadow."
My throat swelled.
Dare ditched the counter, handing a coffee cup to Carla before he grabbed my hips and kissed me.
"Missed me?"
"Maybe."
"Good. You're all I can fucking think about when we're apart."
My throat swelled a little more.
He kissed me again.
My gaze flicked to all the people behind him, but I refused to let myself look at them. Most were probably staring at us, but it didn't really matter.
The internet thought we had already sealed a bond because my shadows clung to him, and the scars on his throat from my fangs were pretty obvious too.
"Ready to learn how to make a drink?"he asked.
"Not really."
"You'll be fine. We've only got an hour left in our shift."
I hadn't asked Kat how long I'd need to stay, but she'd told me to leave if I wanted to. And Darius had said repeatedly that he didn't have to work there.
He stayed close to me the whole time, his arms and legs brushing mine every chance he got. We were crazy slow with the drinks, and I had a small panic attack every time I accidentally made eye contact with someone other than Dare, but he stayed calm and steady.
When I got overwhelmed, he pulled my back to his chest and turned me directly away from the crowd of customers behind us. He literally blocked me from their view with his body.
After the hour was finally up, he dragged me out to his car and pushed me gently into the passenger seat.He took the driver's seat and turned the car on, too.
Instead of pulling out of the parking lot, he turned toward me.
And lifted me onto his lap.
Snuggling in close to him was instinctual. The feel of his thick, solid arms around me was more calming than I expected.
