Page 7 of Flawsome Explorations

“It’sceramics. Do you know anyone else who geeks out about broken bowls?”

“Non, which makes you the foremost expert on the subject I’m curious to know more about.” When he remained unconvinced, I couldn’t resist flexing a little. “The tale of how artisans repaired Shogun Ashikaga’s favorite broken cup by turning it into a jewel with gold in the fifteenth century made me curious to know more.”

I had to cover my mouth to hide my grin at his astonished gasp. “Youresearchedit?”

“Isn’t that what someone does when they wish to learn more about something?”

He gawked at me like I was a mythical unicorn he couldn’t believe was sitting in front of him. “But—but it’skintsugi! Normal people don’t care about that!”

I gave him my most charming smile. “Yet again, you are only the second person to discover the hidden me. I’d expect nothing less from someone who studies the beauty of broken things.”

“Are you even real?” I laughed hard at the question, causing him to huff in a cute way. “I’m being serious! Maybe my plane lost oxygen and I’m hallucinating all this. No, I must have fallen and hit my head and am dreaming all of this in a coma. That’s the only thing that could explain why this is happening. You’re too good to be true. Nobody as handsome and charming as you should care aboutkintsugi.”

I held my hand out to him. “Do you wish to confirm that I’m real?”

Zio surprised me by bringing my hand up to cup his flushed cheek. He nuzzled against my palm, filling me with the desire to lean across the table and kiss him. “Maybe you are real. Not even my dreams are this amazing.” He inhaled with a soft whimper that stirred my lust. “God, why do you smell sogood?”

Many a person had fallen under the allure of my warm, woody spices and leather cologne. If Zio was another one of them, that suited me fine. The note of desire in his voice sparked hope within me that perhaps I still had a chance with him after all.

I was more determined than before to make the most of my time with him, no matter what. If it ended with him in my bed, that was all the better. Whether it was as a friend or a lover, I needed more of him.