Page 37 of Quiet Burn

The dragon grumbles something, and I take that as my cue to steer the conversation away from the rampant speculation for a bit. “I think we should deal with our outfits for this Devil’s Night deal. It’s Friday night, we don’t have classes until Monday, and I have work to do.”

“That’s a great idea, love,” Annie says. He rolls to his feet, looking at Slash. “Perhaps we should order some food while X measures Kit?”

A panicked expression floods his face and Kit seems to get even smaller in the huge chair. “N-n-no, I think I’ll be fine in my?—”

“You will not be fine in your uni, KK,” Salem says gently. “It’s fancy and we all have to deal with that.”

“But Iwilltake you to your room to do the measuring. You won’t even need to take off more than your jacket, I promise. I’m very good at this shit.” I give him a reassuring look, hoping he agrees. He’s gotten comfortable enough with Oriel, Slash, and Salemto allow touch, and for some reason, I desperately want to be included.

Especially since Anniekissedhim in fucking Arms class and I’m jelly he got there first.

Kit licks his lips, looking around for a moment, then uncurls his limbs. “Okay. If we can go somewhere more private and I can stay... dressed. It’s fine.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, I smile brightly and gesture to the closed door. “Then off we go. We’ll leave the nutrition to the rest of these fools while I get the first step in designing your perfect fit checked off.”

The uncertain look in his eyes worries me, but I know I can make him feel safe—after all, I know how it feels to be uncomfortable in your own skin.

“So,I don’t need to touch you much physically,” I say as I carefully measure around his spread arms. Once Kit was able to stand still without looking like he was going to puke, I had him assume the position so I’d have access to the important measurement areas. “This is your wrists, obviously.”

He nods quietly as I rattle the numbers off to the voice recorder on my phone. “That’s not terrible. I’m not as sensitive when it’s... pretty normal areas. I get less calm when it’s... personal parts.”

I snort, giving him a wry look. “You can say you’re going to panic when I get near your junk, man.”

His eyes widen and he shakes his head. “Um, not just... there. Inner legs, rear, chest... I have reasons, but I’ll do my best not to have an episode.”

Fuck this poor kid is breaking my heart—what the hell did that slimy humandoto him?

“Okay, I’ll just be slow, gentle, and try to narrate as I go, regardless of where I am. Does that help?”

“Yes,” he breathes shakily. Dottie is sitting close, watching him with intelligent eyes as he struggles with his inner turmoil.

“Arms and shoulders next. I’m going to walk around you while I do it.” I hum under my breath, hoping to ease his tension while I get the most slight measurements I’ve ever taken for someone in our group. Once I repeat them all for the phone, I face Kit with an arched brow. “Based on your frame I have a lot of options. Are you sure you want to trust me to do... whatever I want?”

He’d said that after we got into the room and I was shocked. Only Annie lets me do whatever; the other guys always guide me if I get to design anything for them. Since their families often make deals about their appearances, it’s not frequent or anything, but I enjoy dressing us as a caliphate. Kit, however, just gave me carte blanche without batting a lash, and that’s almost better than his comfort with touch with the others.

“I’m sure. You have a really interesting flair, and everything you wear is awesome,” he looks at me as I kneel down, preparing to do the seams. “So I know you’ll make something great and it will look good on me.”

Grinning, I hold the tape up carefully. “Outer leg first, then inner leg. I’ll be very careful to touch as little as possible. Are you ready?” He nods, swallowing hard, and I stretch the tape from his hip to his ankle. “I will, but you know that I don’t... conform to traditional norms. If I get wild, will it upset you?”

His legs are trembling a little and I can smell fear on him, but he’s definitely holding his ground. “Honestly? With this damn tree stuff and everything else? I’m not going to be able to avoid people looking at me angrily for something or other. Do whatever—it can’tpossiblymake me less popular.”

“Moving to the inseam now. Stay calm,” I murmur, then look up seriously. “But there’s going to be girls at this thing. You sure you’re not wanting to be all ‘James Bond’ or sexy emo guy to lure them?”

As I call out the measurements again, he turns red and shakes his head. “No fucking way. I’m not... I’d prefer that not be a thing. So don’t worry.”

My lips curve up at his answer.

Couldn’t have put it better myself, Kit Kat.

“Get your butts out here!”

Kit looks at me from where we’re seated on the bed looking at the quick sketches I’ve been making. He’s actually looking excited, and it makes me warm all over. Even Annie won’t let mego this far, and I’m feeling tingly with anticipation. My snake is slithering around inside of me, dancing about in anticipation of getting to do things we love exactly how we love to do them.

Of all the guys, Oriel and I tend to be most influenced by the emotions of our animals more than primal desires.

“Salem sounds like he’s going to barrel through the door if we don’t get moving,” he says with a small grin. “Thanks for… putting up with my shit, by the way.”

I frown. “Kit Kat, your issues are no bigger than the ones we all have. You haven’t been here long enough to see most of them, outside of Jasper’s temper and Zav’s need for approval. But you will, and when you do, you’ll get why everyone is totally fine with accommodating you.”

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