Page 7 of Enticing Him

I still can’t bring myself to kill even those men though, so being able to stay here on land with Dane, really feels like the right thing to do, to have happen.

You looked so perfect in my bed, baby. Like you belong there forever. I’ll be home as soon as I can, there’s coffee ready to make in the pot. Just flip the red button and let it run. Sandwiches are in the fridge—don’ttry to cook anything,please. I’ll bring home something to eat. ~ Dane

I let out a little giggle because I did end up catching a pan on fire trying to help him cook the other night. He just laughed it off, pulling me into his arms after putting the pan in the sink, and kissed me like crazy, so how could I mind the plea not to risk it now?

Chapter 4

Dane

Ipush open the door to the jewelry store, stopping in surprise seeing the man at the counter already. His name tumbles out without meaning, turning his head along with the head of the girl that’s with him my way.

“Dane, what brings you in here?” Dylan asks me as the girl’s eyes widen staring at me, and I swear I’ve seen her somewhere recently but since I’ve been home with Celestia since Tuesday afternoon, I don’t know how or where.

“Don’t I know you?” I ask, making her giggle and Dylan’s eyes darken hearing it, which is as much of a shock as it is to see him with a girl.

“I was with Celestia the other day,” she states, and my jaw drops a hint before I shake my head as it comes back to me.

“Right…” I drawl out, my eyes flickering over to the displays of rings before returning to her with a bit of apprehension. I’ve no idea how her friend is going to react to knowing I want to put a ring onto Celestia’s finger after only knowing her for three days.

“So, what bringsyouin here?” Dylan asks me as Hank returns with a sketchpad in his hands.

“Uh…it looks like you’re busy. I can come back later,” I suggest but before I can leave, the bell jingles again, announcing the arrival of someone else.

I glance over, spying Duncan heading into the store, his eyes widening a bit, seeing not only me inside it, but also Dylan there, let alone Dylan with the girl. I’m pretty sure the look in mine was similar to the one there when I spotted Dylan with her, but it’s definitely there now seeing Duncan of all people in here.

He’s been just as anti-women as I’ve been, as Dylan’s been. So, to see both of them in here when neither of them has said a word about seeing someone, is flat out crazy. Total, absolute craziness. We’ve been friends for years and while there’s been a few things we don’t talk about—such as sex—women or the lack there of not bothering us definitely has been things we’ve mentioned. I’m pretty sure that neither of them has had women in their beds either from some of the things they’ve let slip over the years about their dating history so it’s definitely a shock to see them here.

Dylan’s head dips down, saying something to the girl with him, before he turns his attention towards our friend, taking all of it off from me for a moment. I can’t keep my eyes off the rings just ahead of us, wanting one on Celestia’s finger now.

“Duncan, fancy running intoyouhere,” Dylan says, turning further towards him with her.

“Yeah, I…” Duncan stops talking as his gaze slips to the girl in his hold, staring at her much as I just did—like he’s seen her before as well. “Do I know you?”

“I’m Melodia. Celestia and I were with Serenia when you kind of left with her,” the girl says.

I can’t stop the smile that crosses my face at the mention of my girl, but there’s also a little shock when she adds in the name of their other friend and that Duncan is the one that she left with the day they arrived in town. I was shocked to learn that they hadn’t made any solid plans here, that they’d just let their friends go off with strangers, but now, knowing those strangers are actually my best friends, all of the silent worrying I’d done, hoping her friends would be safe, fades.

“They’re like my sisters, so if you’re here looking for something for them…” she adds looking between us.

“I…uh…yeah…well…” Duncan and I mumble, making Dylan chuckle as he drops a kiss onto Melodia’s head.

“If you’re worried I’ll ruin the surprise don’t be. I can keep a secret and well, since theyaremy best friends I would know what they like and don’t like. You know, if you needed help with something. Say a ring?” Melodia says and there’s such an immense relief that hits, knowing she’s not totally opposed to it.

“I mean, I wouldn’t turn down the help,” I state, and Duncan nods glancing from them to Hank and back again as the man looks amongst all of us in silent shock. Hell, he’s probably never expected any of us to show up in his shop looking for a bracelet, let alone be here looking for rings. He’s part of the town’s Small Business Owners Association that Duncan, Dylan, and I are all part of as well. It’s how we met. Eight years ago, for Duncan and Dylan after Dylan came to town, seven years ago for me when I got here.

None of us has had a single date in all of that time—hence the discussions of not being upset about the lack of women in our lives—but now here we are, looking for rings for three girls that are best friends as well. It’s comforting somehow to know that though. To know that our girls will be happy to hang out together the way we do.

“Well then, why don’t you point out what your friends might like, and I’ll let Hank know what I was thinking about for the necklace?” Dylan suggests to her, giving her a soft kiss when she grins.

Melodia moves Duncan and me away from the diamond rings despite our arguing that diamonds are traditional. She shakes her head, pointing me towards a unique oval design set with black and blue sapphires. Then points at an emerald ring with a look up at Duncan.

Somehow, despite not being traditional, it’s perfect. It reminds me of last night, the night sky shining down on us with a twinkle, while I cleaned all of her up—before dirtying her right back up. The oval ring will stand out on her hand, show she’s taken, and the black and blue stones will make me remember all of our nights together for forever I’m sure.

“Is there anything you’d like to look at?” Hank asks, joining our group at the counter, and both Duncan and I point out the rings Melodia suggested. “What size would you need them? These are both sized six and a half now. They can be taken up two sizes easily.”

“Uh…I don’t know,” I admit and Melodia giggles softly, looking to Hank.

“We all wear the same size,” she says taking the one from me and Dylan lets out a low growl stopping her from slipping it on, which stops me from having to protest it. For some reason, I don’t want anyone to wear it but Celestia. Not even her best friend to simply try it on for a fit. It should only ever be on Celestia’s finger.

---