Cam whispered into her ear, “Aye, there’s the proof that I want you, Emily. I won’t rush you, but just know that you’re beautiful, and I can’t wait for the day when I can strip you bare and kiss every inch of your body.”
No man had ever said such things to her, and she gripped his shirt in her hands to steady herself. “So you do have some charm after all.”
He chuckled. “Aye, it comes and goes.” He kissed her jaw. “And as much as I want to charm my way into feeling more of your skin, if we don’t go inside soon, someone will come looking.And whilst I don’t mind being caught with my hand under your shirt, I don’t want you to ever get embarrassed.”
She ran a hand up and down his chest, loving how his pupils flashed faster the more she touched him. For a woman who’d never really inspired lust in any male she’d fancied before, it was intoxicating. “Maybe you can try that later, when we get home.”
He groaned. “Now, how am I supposed to tame my cock enough to dance with you?”
Running a hand up his neck to his jaw, she said, “Surely, it can’t be that difficult.”
He snorted. “You’re obviously not a dragonman.”
“No.” Then something hit her. “Although you all have supersensitive senses of smell. They’ll know we were out here, aroused.”
He cupped her face again and laid his forehead against hers. “No one will notice. Once we go inside, you’ll see why.”
As she searched his eyes, a sense of rightness settled over her. She shouldn’t trust him so soon, and yet she was learning that Cam was dependable.
Please don’t let me regret this later.
His voice garnered her attention again. “Hey, whatever you’re uncertain about, tell me.”
“You’re like a bloody mind reader,” she grumbled.
“Not quite. Although reading people is part of my job. So what’s wrong?”
She sighed. “Well, I don’t have the best track record at keeping people’s attention, and I worry yours will fade, too.”
“So I looked into those love language things you talked about.”
She blinked. “Um, okay?”
“It’s related, I promise. Undivided attention is one of them, and that’s what I have for you. If anything, I’ll only give you more attention once I’m sure I won’t scare you off.”
“What, are you secretly a stalker?”
He scrunched his nose and grunted. “Definitely not.”
She caressed his cheek, loving the slight roughness, signaling it was time to shave again soon. “I’m just teasing you.”
He took her hand and kissed the palm, making her lower belly flutter before murmuring, “I know.” He met her gaze again. “And now will you let me show off my bonnie girlfriend to the clan at the gathering?”
She hesitated a beat. Her answer would fundamentally change her life forever.
But Emily was tired of being safe or hiding away. Maybe she’d get hurt in the end, but maybe she wouldn’t.
However, if she didn’t take this chance, she would regret it forever.
After taking a deep breath for courage, she nodded. “Okay.”
He grinned, tugged her away from the building, lifted her, and twirled.
Emily laughed as she held onto him. Once Cam stopped and slid her down his body, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Is this the real Cam, then?”
“Aye.”
She sensed there was more behind the single word, but then she heard someone calling Cam’s name. So she pushed it aside and allowed him to guide her to the gathering.
