Page 47

“Can we just keep the fact that I know about non-humans between us? No one else knows that I know and I don’t want to cause any issues.” Calliope’s lips pinch in worry as she watches me.

“Of course. Who would I tell anyways? You’re my only friend.”

We both laugh and Calliope’s shoulders sag in relief.

“Now can I please brush your hair. It desperately needs it. And if you’re going to be meeting your hot boyfriend’s family it should at least be brushed. By the way, what is Kai? I haven’t been able to figure him out. His glamour is too good.”

I laugh because he is absurdly good with his glamour. I also like that she doesn’t ask why I don’t use a glamour.

“He’s also a nymph but his abilities are animal and fire based.”

“Okay you are so going to have to explain that and what his real body looks like. I want to know everything.”

And I tell her, all while she brushes my hair and uses a few bobby pins to hold up small braids keeping the strands out of my face, forming a small circlet crown on my head, winding it around my flowers. Now daisies and hydrangeas. Happiness and optimism.

Kai returns just as I’m walking Calliope out and we both stop to watch him approach. His glamour shifted into place in a fraction of second when he saw Calliope, but I still see the real him. He added a gold band to one of his horns and put something in his hair to keep it under control and far less wind wild than it usually is. His customary earrings, necklace and rings in place along with a few bracelets.

The end of his tail swings lazily behind him as he saunters up the front drive where a sleek black sports car is parked. I guess he didn’t feel like walking. He’s dressed in black slacks and a deep blood red dress shirt left open at the collar, the top buttons undone to show his chest beneath. I think he has an aversion to shirts the way I do shoes.

“Does he look as hot in his true form as he does in his glamour right now?” Calliope whispers to me.

“Probably.”

Kai smirks, obviously hearing us—nymph hearing and all that—because he instantly drops his glamour. I can only tell because his form shimmers for half a second.

“Wow.” Calliope’s mouth drops as she openly gawks at my boyfriend. That’s right boyfriend. Might as well call him what he is at this point.

“Calliope. I didn’t know you knew about non-humans.” Kai says in greeting as he meets us halfway to the house.

“Yeah well, no one but you and Daisy knows I know. Not sure if I’m supposed to or if I’ll get in trouble for knowing.”

Kai mimes zipping his lips shut and winks at her.

“Yeah, okay. I’m gonna go now. You two have fun.” She gives me a quick hug goodbye and gets into her car and drives off leaving hot as sin Kai staring like he wants to devour me in my driveway.

“Hello, little Blossom. You look exceptionally beautiful tonight. I like what you did with your hair. It shows off those cute ears I like so much.”

He reaches out and runs a finger down the exposed cartilage and I shiver at the sensual touch. A possessive and undeniably sexual growl emanates low in Kai’s chest.

“Later, Blossom.” Kai taps me on the nose and grins. “Are you ready to go? If you’ve changed your mind I would completely understand.”

“No, I haven’t changed my mind. I still want to go.”

“Very well. Just remember my stipulations.”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

Kai gives me a definitive nod before leaning down to press a chaste but intense kiss on my lips, making my brain all fuzzy.

Apparently, the sports car is for my benefit because he knew I wouldn’t be wearing shoes and didn’t want me to hurt my feet walking over in the growing dark. I have to admit the fancy sports car is pretty cozy, and warm.

“Why don’t you like to wear shoes? I don’t think I’ve ever asked.” Kai eyes my bare toes on the carpeted floor of the car.

“Why don’t you like to wear shirts?” I mimic his tone and eye his revealingly unbuttoned shirt. Not meaning to linger but unable to immediately look away from his tantalizing skin.

Every day we spend together increases my desire to lick him. An unfamiliar emotion I’m still trying to come to terms with while trying not to lick him. Maybe sometime soon he’ll let me. I bet if I asked he would without hesitation.

Kai clears his throat, drawing my attention and my gaze up to his grinning face.