Page 69 of Horn in My Side
In the end, Jasmine ended up ordering the sea bass for her main, while Mal ordered his usual—Wagyu steak (rare), fries instead of mashed potatoes, and green beans and cauliflower.
“I’ll be back with your salads,” Seren said as she sauntered away.
“How have you been?”he asked once they were alone.
“You see me almost every day, Mal,” she said with a chuckle.“I’m doing fine.The shop’s doing great.I finished looking at the sales figures from the weekend and we made out like bandits.”
“But I mean how areyou?And how are you coping with your newfound magic?”
“Ah.”Her gaze dropped to her lap for a second.“It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest.Before, I went about my day, trying to figure out what each pet needs.But now I seem to be spending an extraordinary amount of time trying to focus and concentrate and see if I can communicate with them.”She let out a long sigh.“I hate to say it, but it was almost easier when I didn’t know I had these abilities, and I was just guessing.”
“Perhaps you’re overthinking it.”
“Could be.Maybe.Probably.On the upside, I think the phoenixes are figuring it out and they’ve been asking for more birdseed.”
“They’re also high up on the magical scale.”Mal paused.“I’m sorry you’re feeling so overwhelmed, Jasmine.”
“Why?It’s not your fault.”
“But it was because of me that you discovered you had magic.”He clasped his hands on the table.“Listen, maybe I can help.”
“Help?How?”
“I can teach you a few things.”
“Don’t we have to have the same type of magic for you to train me?”
He scratched at his chin with a claw.“Normally, you would have to train under someone with the same powers.I imagine that’s the case for your family?”
“Yes.All males who want to inherit start working with the current albularyo as soon as they turn thirteen.”
“I can’t train you to use your magic, but I can help you learn about how magic works.At its core, magic is all the same.While you can’t use the same spells as me, I should be able to give you tips and tricks on how to tap into your magic.”
A hopeful gleam shone in her eyes.“That would be amazing, Mal.Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.I might be completely wrong about being able to help you.”
“Still—”
“I have appetizers for you,” Seren interrupted, placing two identical dishes on their charger plate.“Foie gras quiches with poached pears.”
“Are these for us?”Jasmine asked.
“Yes, miss.”
“I think we’re supposed to have just the house salad included with our mains.We didn’t order these,” Jasmine said.“Pleasedon’t charge us for them.I hope it’s not too late to send them back?”
Any other woman would have taken advantage of Mal’s generosity, but not Jasmine.She didn’t want him to pay for more than they’d ordered, but really, one extra appetizer would not break the bank.Before he could reassure her, though, the server spoke up first.
“Oh no, no, miss.”The nymph shook her head, her fins fanning.“These are compliments of Chef Lucien for Mr.Mal.”She turned to him.“Chef wanted me to say hello to you and your lady friend for him.”
“Please send our thanks,” Mal said.
Jasmine shot him a wry smile.“Not really a regular, huh?”
The rest of the meal was pleasant, and Mal was glad he’d brought an appetite because then he was only half distracted by Jasmine.Under the elegant lighting, her skin glowed even more, and he recalled how soft and smooth she had been when he’d last held her.And with each “oooh” and “ahh” when she took a bite of the delicious food, his eyes were drawn to her lips, the memory of how they tasted still fresh in his mind.A few times during the meal, he had to adjust his pants, as his semi-hard erection pressed up against the fabric painfully.
Gaku help him, would he be able to survive two more of these dates when he could barely get through one without fighting the urge to maul her?
