Page 151 of Seeking Shadows

"Yes."

"Then stop being nice to the enemy and pick your prize. We're winning this."

My gaze drifts to the hanging prizes—stuffed bears, bunnies, dragons. And then I spot it.

"I want that one."

Zane follows my gaze and frowns.

"The bear with a knife?"

"He's perfect."

Zane doesn’t argue. He just pays for the round and raises the water pistol, his eyes sharpening in a way that sends a shiver down my spine. The boy doesn't stand a chance—at least he'll learn early that you can't always get what you want.

“I want to do it, let me do it,” I say before Zane shoots, and he nods. The man at the stall smiles wide, encouraging the exchange.

I snatch up the water pistol, and in a heartbeat I blast every target dead–on—my little car skidding past the others in a triumphant splash as I cross the finish line first. The boy stares at his mother with a tearful expression, while she shoots us dirty looks as if we were somehow supposed to let her son win just because he’s a child.

Well, ma’am, that wasn’t me playing—thatwas my inner child, and she really needed that plushie.

“It’s my birthday,” I call out, trying to soften the guilt that weighs on me. She has the audacity to flip me off.

Zane laughs, and I shrug, turning to the man to collect my prize.

The stall owner eyes me suspiciously.

"Do you do this often?"

"Perhaps."

I take my prize, a satisfied smile spreading across my face as I hug the teddy bear to my chest.

“You’ve never seen someone so delighted over a plushie,” Zane says, amusement dancing in his eyes as he watches me cradle the bear.

“But look at him!” I gush, hugging the little guy closer. His button eyes glint, his stitched teeth sharp as razors—and in his paw, he holds a tiny, perfectly menacing knife.

“He’s adorable,” I whisper, pressing him to my cheek. “And brave. My fearless, knife-wielding teddy.”

He smiles, not a big one, but a small, genuine one he always tries to hide.

When we head to the car, Zane holds my hand, and I intertwine our fingers, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. Neither of us says much, but there’s no need."

Today was perfect.

Life with Zane is easy. It's easy to love him. In fact, I think it's the most effortless thing I’ve ever done.

My chest overflows with love, and an idea flashes into my mind.

When I see it, I throw a quick kiss on his cheek, making him turn to me.

“Is this your way of saying thank you for a wonderful day?” he asks with a shy smile.

“No,” I reply, stepping closer and running my hand over the bulge in his pants, feeling it harden under my touch like magic. “This is me thanking you for a wonderful day.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Zane’s voice comes out low and tortured. The desire in his eyes makes my body shiver, and I feel a warm ache between my legs.

I like how he responds to me.

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