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"That’s because we want you to think that.” The old woman sucked her teeth. “I see exactly how she knows too much. She's easy to talk to and I've said way too much. You two eat and get warm by the fireplace. These old bones need some rest especially after the two of you decided to barge in in the wee hours of the morning. I'll fetch you some blankets."
They could hear the old woman as she made her way through her creaky house. Ace and Shelby faced each other but neither of them made eye contact. Instead, they both focused on their supper and began eating. All while Ace’s mind began to churn with questions. Judging by the look on Shelby's face she didn't think he would be amused by her coming onslaught of inquiries. She decided to wait until they were done eating. Surely that would be enough time…
Blankets were laid out on the couch before his grandma came over and kissed him on the forehead before she went to her bed and slipped under the covers.
"How old is she?" Ace whispered to Shelby. She looked ancient. Far too old to be out here on her own taking care of herself.
"Why does it matter?" Shelby cocked his head to one side.
"Because she looks like she's on the brink of death and I don't particularly want to go to bed just to wake up in the morning to find out she's passed in her sleep or something."
Shelby looked disgusted as he straightened and glared. "She won’t pass away in her sleep," he hissed at her, trying to keep his voice quiet as well. "She’s notthatold."
"I'm old but I'm not deaf," the old woman said from her bed before she chuckled and rolled over.
Ace’s eyes grew wide. She clamped her mouth shut and stared down at the table. She stayed quiet this time keeping all of her questions inside until she could hear the old woman's snores and by then both she and Shelby had finished their meals. Shelby scooped up their bowls and placed them in the kitchen.
Ace wandered from the table over to the couch looking at the stack of blankets. Were they supposed to share the couch? It hardly looked big enough for that. Silently she wandered over to the fireplace, wringing her hands and letting the heat flood her. Shelby moved to stand beside her, his fingers curled under the hem of his shirt as he pulled the material up and over his head. He paused as he went to lay the shirt out on the mantle. Ace was staring.
Underneath his shirt was not only stacks of muscles but several burn marks across his ribs. Scars made by the Fae. She didn’t mind his scars, honestly; she thought they made him that much more handsome. Not that she wanted to admit how handsome he was because he wasn't exactly all that kind, but she couldn't stop staring now. She could feel a blush working its way up her cheeks.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm laying my shirt out to dry so I don't have to sleep completely in wet clothing. What’s wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"Do I need to put my shirt back on? Am I making you uncomfortable?" He held the shirt up to his chest.
"No you don't have to put your shirt back on, it's fine." She wanted to laugh.
"No, I don't like the way you're looking at me. No. Nope. I'm putting it back on."
Ace tried to stifle her laughing but the giggle couldn’t be contained. She’d never stared at a man so hard that he got uncomfortable before. Grinning like a fool, she grabbed his wrist, stopping him from pulling the shirt back over his head.
"No, stop! You can leave your shirt off. I don't want it to ruin your sleep." His eyes became two dark slits as he glared, not moving to put the shirt back on. "You know that underneath those clothes and your goody-two-shoes attitude there is something worth looking at."
"Gods! I'm putting it back on," Shelby said. Ace laughed harder that time and grabbed his wrists again. Shelby jerked his hands out of hers. "Look at you. You’re…you're ogling me. How do I know that if I let my shirt dry you're not going to try and take advantage of me?”
"Why do you think I would try to seduce you? In your grandma's cabin? While she's sleeping right there?" She pointed at the small bed and even smaller snoring woman for emphasis.
"I just don't like the way you're looking at me." He lifted his chin. “Are you a cannibal? Did coming back change your eating habits?”
“A cannibal?!” Ace sputtered.
“You look like you want to eat me.”
"I’m not a cannibal, but if it will make you feel better I'll take my shirt off too. It also needs to dry."
Those narrowed eyes immediately went wide, his mouth dropping open. He took a small step back.
"Donottake your shirt off."
"Why, it's only fair?" She reached down, pinching the bottom of her shirt between her fingers. She had a wide banded black bra top, just a plain boring thing she'd stolen, under her shirt. So it wasn't as if she was going to be as naked as he was. Plus, watching him squirm was bringing her far too much delight. "Listen, it'll be fine. I won't touch you. You won't touch me. Our clothes will be dry by morning. And that's that! That's all it is! We don't even like each other." She wasn’t sure why she added the last bit.
"Fine, but let me grab you a blanket."
"Would that make you feel better?" she asked, well aware of her condescending tone.
