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Hope smiled. “Sure.”
“Okay, listen to the instructions and follow our movements.” The woman stepped in place between Hope and her own mate … Deimos was on Hope’s other side.
Soon, the singer began singing out the directions for dancers to follow. Hope listened to him and watched Deimos on her left and the shifter woman on her right. Soon, she caught on and, before long, was dancing like a local. She grinned at Deimos, who grinned right back at her.
When another line dance started, Hope again paid attention to Deimos and the shifter woman. This dance was a little more complex … she moved along, a step behind until she caught the rhythm and movements. Like the first line dance, she soon had that one down pat, as well.
TEN
DEIMOS
They returned home …to the ranch, he corrected himself. His home, not Hope’s, not yet. They returned to the ranch under a beautiful sunset, the smaller sun just about to join the larger below the horizon, the first stars just starting to glimmer in the twilight sky.
He offered her a hand off her transport, and she took it. Her skin was warm and soft, their hands a perfect fit. Her blue eyes sparkled as she shyly tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “Thanks for tonight. I had a really great time.”
“So did I.” He wanted to kiss her. It had been such a wonderful day; he’d never enjoyed being with someone so much. Every second with her, every new thing, was a delight.
She lingered with him by the transports, only inches between them. “When will I see you tomorrow?”
She was excited to see him again. His chest swelled with joy as he smiled at her. “Oh, I’m not leaving,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “You’re not?”
“I thought I’d stay here tonight.” He hadn’t meant to startle her. Was she bothered by it? Had he misread her interest?
She pushed her hair behind her ear again, even though it didn’t need it. Her cheeks were flushed. “Oh, um, well, obviously, it is your house, but …”
He cut in, hoping to save them both from any more awkwardness. “I should have said this before … I have my own bedroom. And I will be using that one. I don’t expect to share a bed with you… until you’re ready, that is.”
When she was, he’d be there in a moment. He wasn’t going to push her, though. He wanted her to be just as enthusiastic about it as he was.
“I’m not there. Not yet,” she said as the smile returned to her face, and she relaxed. “But the company will be nice. I still feel like a stranger here on Nova Aurora. It’s nice to have someone who knows the place to make me feel a little more at home.”
Home. He made her feel at home. He glowed with the warmth of it, better than both suns on his scales. His smile was making his cheeks hurt. “I’m glad I can make you comfortable here.”
They headed toward the house, glowing with welcoming light in the growing darkness. “You really have made my stay great,” she said. “I appreciate you taking so much time for me.”
“It was no trouble at all. You’re well worth it.” He’d happily have taken her to the other side of the planet. This day with Hope was the first good one he’d had in a long time, but it was good even in comparison to his best days.
He took her coat and hung it up on the hooks near the door next to his own, and they both took off their shoes. “Can I ask a question?” Hope asked.
“Of course. Ask me anything.” He’d be glad to tell her. She could have anything of his that she wanted. Better not to say that just yet, though. He didn’t want to unnerve her.
She leaned against the kitchen counter. “How come your clothes don’t change? I thought Nova Aurora clothes were supposed to transform to fit the wearer’s tastes like the house does.”
He shouldn’t be surprised that she’d noticed. She was very observant. “I’m a bit unusual. I like having different outfits to look at and mixing and matching pieces. Actually, having each bit of fabric separately is more fun for me.”
Her smile made her eyes crinkle up and her nose wrinkle slightly. It was adorable. “You like to be able to see all of your stuff. You really are a dragon.”
He laughed. “I really am. I love nice things, shiny things, and colorful things. Perhaps I’ll get to show you my shifted form sometime.” He wanted to show her every bit of him, to know how her hands would feel on his scales.
Her face lit up at that. “I’d like that. I’ll bet you’re gorgeous.”
He put a hand on his hip and lifted his chin, striking a pose. “Why, thank you. I certainly am.”
“And modest, too,” she said, laughing.
“Modesty is overrated. You should be proud when there’s something to be proud of. Like my looks or my herd.” Or Hope. Once she was officially his mate, he’d show her off to everyone.
