“You’re on the right track,” I whisper.
“Good.” He squeezes his fingers before dropping his hand to my waist. “Are you steady?”
“I think so.”
“Let’s wash up before I change my mind.” He steps back. “I’ll feel bad if I ruin all of Sally’s hard work.”
“She would understand.” I tilt my head, and he growls. “Alright, alright. I’m going.” I take a step away from him and look over my shoulder. “It would be better if you were coming.” I move quickly, and he lunges. “Too late,” I sing, jogging toward the bathroom as fast as my heels can take me.
I lock the door behind me, giggling. I’m fucking giggling, and I didn’t freeze up or think about my past once when his hands were on my body.
That is something to celebrate.
I feel special. I don’t often feel that emotion. As I walk toward the restaurant with Ezra holding my hand, my heart beats fast, and I fall more in love. There was minimal conversation on the drive, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. His hand rested on my thigh, and I switched my focus between it and his face. He has turnedmy life and my beliefs about how I live upside down. Did I really believe I could have a fulfilling, passion-filled life?
Absolutely not. I pretended I was alright with my life, yet things were missing. Ezra was missing. Hiding in my books was fun, and I had many book boyfriends. My mate shows me that I can have what the fictional women do. I can have love, trust, and be desired.
“Ready?” he asks, and I notice we are standing in front of the doors.
“Sorry.” I shake my head and smile. “I’m good.”
He winks and opens the door. “I will never think about your kitchen the same again.”
I laugh as I step inside.
“Isn’t this a beautiful sight?” Sally says, standing in the entrance. “Damn, fox, you clean up well.” She tilts her head at my mate, and I’m surprised by the spark of anger in my gut.
“Tricks,” Luca growls.
“I didn’t mean anything by it,” she says quickly. “Rylee didn’t like it either.” She wraps her arms around her mate. “Boyfriend, you know I only have eyes for you and Atlas.” She rests her chin on his chest.
“You can make it up to me later,” he mumbles.
“Sounds interesting,” she hums. “Begging involved?”
“Always.” He grins.
“Are we letting them come in?” Haven asks.
“You look stunning,” I say, moving forward. She’s wearing a sparkly purple dress that floats around her thighs.
“Thanks.” She grins and squeezes my hand. “I saw your dress on the hanger, but it looks way better on you.”
“The restaurant is ours for the night,” Sally says.
“The guys closed for a private party,” Haven adds. She laces her arm through Remy’s as he joins us.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, glancing at Ezra.
“We wanted to,” Remy says. “The family needed a gathering.”
“One where there are no strangers to set on fire,” Ryker says dryly.
“That was one time,” Saphira says. She is a dragon shifter, and I’ve heard of her famous fire-breathing.
“Three times,” Ryker drawls.
“Whatever,” she mumbles.
