As previously established, I'm the scoundrel in this scenario. I'm also shameless. Stroke my ego if not my cock tonight, Asher. Tell me what you're missing.
On second thought, I quickly summoned Hekate back to my arm so that I could tack on?—
Oh, and tell me what you're wearing while you're at it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
ARKEN
Oh, and tell me what you’re wearing while you’re at it.
This fucking bastard.
I lingered in bed, sipping on warm tea and missing Kieran so bad that it hurt, still utterly incensed with myself for letting my silly little insecurities keep me away from this man.
It was just one night. I would see him tomorrow, after all—he’d promised to take me to a gallery, and I was looking forward to it.
When Kieran and I first met, he’d taken me to the Museum of Arcane History, and even that early on I’d seen it. That man was a soldier, through and through, but he had the eyes of an artist. With the words that fell so fluidly from his silver tongue over this last year, I’d come to realize that though Kieran’s native tongue was violence and bloodshed, he had the soul of a poet—and I loved experiencing the arts by his side.
Hekate pecked at my knuckle, as impatient for an answer as the man who had summoned her.
Sighing and blushing despite myself, I dipped my quill in ink to pen out my confession.
I stole one of your shirts.
It was a touch embarrassing, but drawing the collar toward my nose and breathing in Kieran’s scent, I couldn’t say I regretted it. If I had to be without him tonight, at least I could be enveloped in the heady fragrance of citrus, cloves, and his skin.
And?
I snorted.
Just the shirt. If it wasn't so godsdamned cold outside, I'd be walking around here naked like I normally do.
He didn’t need to know that I walked around naked regardless of the weather because I didn’t require expensive enchantments to keep my apartment’s temperature regulated through the seasons. My secrets did come with their advantages, after all.
Ah, so that little habit of yours wasn't just for my benefit?
Walking around naked in Kieran’s townhouse had been an act of entirely inappropriate self-interest, actually, but…
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Captain. My penchant for perpetual nudity began before we met.
Sigh. At least I still get to enjoy the view. Or the imagery, tonight. Good thing I’m very imaginative. Which shirt did you steal?
The grey one.
You mean the shirt I trained in the other day?
My blush deepened. Always so observant, that one.
…Maybe.
The one that was definitely drenched in my sweat?
Abyss take me.This maddening man was never going to let me live this one down—why had I even told him? And yet I found myself wanting to tell him more.
…Perhaps. That may or may not have been a motivating factor in the thievery. Your scent kinda does things to me, in case you haven't noticed.
You're such a little whore.