Page 26 of A Yulean Sister’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped

“And you won’t,” I said, flicking my tail out in front of us. “I suck at footwork.”

She laughed, just like she did last night, except this time, at me. Which warmed me in a way I should have found uncomfortable.

“I’m sure you’re an excellent dancer, footwork or not.”

“That’s very left up to debate.” Sure, I could gallivant around a pub and call it dancing, but I knew nothing about the organized steps they were all doing to songs that they obviously had practiced too many times.

We wandered to a bench a bit further down. It was under the cover of the trees, which would be perfect. I couldn’t see him, but Bramwell couldn’t be far now that we’d been gone for a while. And as soon as I recovered it, I would slip off and we would disappear as if we were never here at all. Success was so close I could taste it on the tip of my tongue.

“I was surprised you asked me out here,” she said, fiddling with one of the cloth flowers on her dress.

“Why’s that?”

She shrugged. “I expected us to go right back to your room.”

“Why were you expecting that?”

Sage glanced at me, as if I was deft. “Did you not plan on having sex with me?”

I sputtered, coughing in surprise.

“Out here is fine,” she said in my absence of speech. “Exhibitionism isn’t really my thing, but it doesn’t bother me.”

“N-no, I didn’t,” I clarified as soon as I stopped coughing.

Her lips turned to a confused pout. “I thought you found me attractive?”

I caught my breath, trying to sound at least a little normal. “I think you’re very lovely.”

She raised her brows, like I was the one missing the point.

“I just… prefer to take things slow.”

“Ah, you’re one of those,” she said, leaning back on her arms, and looking up. “You don’t have to pretend to be chivalrous for my sake.”

“What do you mean?”

She huffed, annoyed she had to keep spelling it out for me. “I mean, you don’t have to fake being interested in me further than the bedroom to get me there.”

Was this something that happened to her often enough she could read it as a ploy? The thought irritated me deeply.

“Well, I’m not faking anything. I was just hoping for your company.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard that one before.”

“I’m not just saying it.”

“That one too,” she pointed out.

“You are extremely stubborn.”

She huffed a laugh. “That one too, I’m afraid, but normally not from someone trying to get under my skirts.”

“Do you truly find it that hard to believe I would pursue you for the company as opposed to sex?”

“Yes,” she said easily. “As you pointed out, I’m very stubborn. Not the most enjoyable company.”

“I have to disagree,” I said, settling back further on my tail. “If you were all smiles and agreement all the time, how boring would that be?”