Page 23 of The Gargoyle and the Songbird

I’m practically vibrating with relief by the time we finally leave the dress shop, desperate to put some distance between us before I do something crazy.

Like shove him into the nearest dark alleyway and climb him like a tree, audience be damned.

Deep breaths, Ecco.

I inhale slowly through my nose as we step out into the bright sunshine, hoping the warm summer air will clear my head. I can do this. I can keep it together.

Graeme is just some guy.

A guy I’m insanely attracted to, sure. A guy I’m pretty sure could rock my entire world with a single touch. But still, at the end of the day… just a guy.

I’m not going to let some dreamy guy throw me off my game. Not this time.

I’m past all that.

Mariah and I stroll arm-in-arm down the charming cobblestone streets, watching how the town square bustles with activity. I’ve always loved how the town really comes alive in the summer weather.

Mariah nudges me, her voice low and conspiratorial. “So, spill. How’s the dating scene in the human lands these days? Any juicy prospects on the horizon now that you’re a star?”

I sigh, feeling a familiar pang of loneliness.

“Honestly? It’s been pretty bleak. Between recording sessions and album promo...” I trail off, shrugging. “Let’s just say my dry spell has reached desert proportions, if you catch my drift.”

Mariah’s eyebrows shoot up. “Really? That’s so unlike you, Ec. You’re usually the queen of the casual fling.”

I nod ruefully, my gaze distant. It’s true—I’ve never been one to shy away from a good time.

That’s never been my problem; it’s more that I don’t know how to pick which ones to keep around. I’ve dated a lot of duds, gotten my heart broken again and again while searching for that soul-deep connection I know is out there waiting for me.

But lately, it’s like the universe is conspiring to keep me solidly single.

“You know what weddings are perfect for?” Mariah says, a glint in her eye. “No-strings-attached hookups. And trust me, there will be no shortage of eligible bachelors at this shindig.”

She starts ticking off names on her fingers. “Let’s see… there’s Thorak’s best man, Finnian. Although come to think of it, he’s been weirdly cagey about his love life lately. But ooh, I could intro you to some of the brewery guys! Ecco, you’d eat them alive.”

“Shh!” I hiss, my cheeks heating. I dart a glance over my shoulder to make sure Graeme is out of earshot. “Keep your voice down, Mar!”

Mariah follows my gaze, her smile turning positively wicked. “Oh, right. It’ll be tricky to ditch tall, dark and grumpy long enough for you to get your freak on. Unless...” Her grin widens almost cartoonishly. “Maybe Mr. Stoic could be the onedoingthe freaking.”

I smack her on the arm, my face burning. “Mariah!”

“What?” She holds up her hands in mock innocence. “Like you haven’t noticed he’s hotter than a forest fire. I bet he’d be super intense in the sack. All that brooding energy, channeled into much more… productive outlets.”

Oh, I’ve noticed all right.

The dressing room incident, for one—my mind throws me right back into that moment, the electric clench low in my bellyas his molten gaze raked over me, the way every nerve ending seemed to buzz to life under his heated stare.

Yep, I’ve thought about it.

About ripping away all that strict self-control and finding the passion Iknowmust be lurking underneath.

About how easy it would be to goad him just a little too far, to push him past the breaking point until he?—

“Earth to Ecco.” Mariah waves a hand in front of my face, snapping me out of my lust-fueled daze. “You still with me, babe?”

I shake my head to clear it, forcing a laugh that sounds fake even to my own ears.

“Sorry, got distracted by a, um… shiny thing. You were saying?”

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