Page 44 of Horn in My Side
“Oh.”
“And if you had a chance to look over the hatching tank?”
“Not yet.It was still covered when I got in.I didn’t know if you wanted me to take a peek.And I didn’t have much time when I got in.”
“Do you want to see it now?”
“Sure.”
She followed him down the stairs, and with him a few steps below her, his shoulders and back were directly in her line of sight.Her fingers itched to reach out and run her hands over the muscles, to feel their hardness and then scratch her nails into his scalp while nuzzling at his neck to breath in his male, musky scent.
Bad Jasmine, she scolded as she stiffened her arms to prevent them acting on her impulses.She had to remember that line she had drawn today, and her vow never to cross it.
When they reached the main floor, Mal gestured for her to walk ahead of him.“Take a look.”
Grabbing the corner of the cloth, she pulled it off—and let out a startled gasp.Jasmine had expected a normal aquarium with four glass walls.But this was a work of art.
The tank stood on a raised wooden platform so its contents would be at eye level.But instead of leaving the side panels unfinished, he had carved designs on them.Leaves, vines, and flowers crawled along the wooden surface, while different creatures frolicked among them.One side had “Fantastic Tails and Magical Scales” written in the same font as their sign.
She ran a finger across the carving of a dog leaping over a fallen tree trunk, marveling in the detailing of its body, which was when she noticed that it wasn’t just any normal dog.From the star-shaped markings on its fur, this was obviously Cora the laelaps.
Jasmine also recognized the other animals from the shop.In one corner was Felix the carbuncle, curled up and taking a snooze, while Daryl the tizzie whizie buzzed overhead.The makara that had attacked Mal that first day stood under the front opening, guarding the precious egg inside.And of course, their favorite escape artists—the two mini cockatrices—were perched on top of a vine.
The interior was even more breathtaking.Similar to the makara habitat, half of the tank was filled with salt water to mimic the ocean, with waves that pushed against the sandy shore.Lush greenery and large rocks occupied the other section, and planted on the beach was the carcinos egg.The lighting Mal used overhead showed off the beauty of the egg, the blue pearly scales shining even brighter than she remembered.
Her breath caught in her throat as a beam of light moved across the surface of the egg, making it sparkle and the scales ripple like a wave.Did Mal use some special type of bulb to give it that effect?Whatever it was, it was mesmerizing, and she struggled to tear her gaze away.
“Mal, this is amazing.”
“I wanted to finish it.”He strode over to her, stopping when they stood side by side in front of the tank, catching her gaze in the reflection of the glass.Superimposed over the egg, his eyes appeared more royal blue than purple.
“Finish it?”
“Yes.I knew you needed it fast.I did say I would build you a hatching tank.”
Her heart tripped over itself at his words.Jasmine recalled him saying that the other night when she asked him to do it, butshe’d brushed it off and concluded what he meant was that he was doing it for the shop.
Yes, Jasmine, I’ll build you a hatching tank.
But she didn’t think—or didn’t dare hope—Mal meant that he really was doing itfor her.
“Stayed late last night,” he continued.“And I was hungry by the time I was done.So I went to catch a quick bite at the Cedar Grove Grill.”
Oh Mother Goddess, the reminder of last night’s debacle with the hot bartender flooded into her brain.One ticket to Cringe City, please.
“Yeah, about that.Just so you know, I don’t usually go to places like that.”Better to bring it out in the open, otherwise she’d never be able to face him again.“I mean, Tracy and I always have a drink after our spin class, but not lately.And we certainly have never been to that bar.”
“Oh, I see.”His mouth pursed.“It’s none of my business, of course.”
Glad he thought the same way she did.“And I only met Leila last night for the first time, in case you were wondering and wanted to ask me about her.”
“Ask you about Leila?”
“Yeah.But I mean, you’ve been texting her and everything, so I assume—”
A loud vibration made him start.“Sorry,” he murmured as he patted his pockets, searching for his phone.
Jasmine’s heart plummeted.Was that Leila calling to ask why Mal hadn’t texted her in the last five minutes?
