Page 12 of Shifting Fate
“Ooh, I likey.” But would it be enough? Sawing my bottom lip between my teeth, I caught Tybalt’s gaze in the mirror, then spun myself around in the barber’s chair to face him.
“What do you think?” I asked. “Be honest. I’m trying to impress a guy.”
A slow grin spread across those full lips of his. Talk about swoon. If I hadn’t been so dead-set on impressing Arias, I might’ve been tempted to fool around with Ty, for old time’s sake. Ugh, maybe Tashi was right. I was a slut.
He raised a thick brow. “Yum. I definitely wouldn’t turnthissnack down.”
“You think it’ll work?”
He chuckled. “Oh, he’d be a fool not to notice you, babyboy, and let me tell you this. If he does reject you? Screw him. If he can’t see what a sexy little minx you are, that’s his loss, and remember... My bed is always open.” He leaned down and planted a kiss on my cheek, then winked. “Go knock ‘em dead.”
Feeling cocky, I drove all the way home with the radio cranked up, singing along to one of my favorite songs. I parked in my usual spot, killed the engine and pocketed the keys, then went inside. I took the stairs two at a time, humming to myself, and almost slammed into Gage as he came around the corner.
“Whoa.” He caught my wrist so I wouldn’t go toppling back down the steps, but his dark eyes were fixed on me. For the first time in what seemed like forever, I’d rendered Gage Jameson speechless.
I flipped a hand through my bangs, grinning shamelessly. “What do you think? It suits me, doesn’t it?”
“Damn, Dal.” He grinned, all big and toothy, and clapped me on the shoulder. “Just damn. Work it.”
“Oh, I plan to. Where’re you going?”
“Ezra’s craving orange chicken, so I’m off to fetch us some take-out.”
I blinked. Craving? He didn’t mean… “Pleasetell me you didn’t knock him up already. Babe, the dude just popped a goddamn kid out his—”
“Stop.” Gage exhaled a laugh. “Fuck no, man. My boy just wants some Panda Express, that’s all, and last I checked, Panda Express ain’t gonna knock him up.”
“Good luck with that.” I bumped my shoulder against his on my way past. “I’ve got a date with destiny tonight, so I’ll see you around.”
He snickered. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Oh, and use protection. These Omni, man. They ain’t fucking around.” Throwing his head back on a laugh, he ruffled my perfect hair with his big, meaty paw despite my hiss, then tromped down the stairs.
Like I didn’t know how babies were made. Psh.
I planted myself in front of my vanity and made myself beautiful, then changed into something a little more suggestive. The tight brown leather pants made my butt look amazing, and it almostguaranteedthat Arias would touch it.Yes, please.I slipped into a form-fitting black shirt with grommets up the front, and shrugged on a leather jacket over the top of that.
A little lip gloss and…
Perfection.
I sent Rhine a text that I was over at Foxgrove, then headed into the woods. I breathed in a deep lungful of autumn air, ripe with the scent of fallen leaves and wet earth. I took the most direct route to Arias’s cabin, even though that meant getting mud on my boots.
It would be worth it.
Bolstering my courage and plastering on a winning smile, I knocked on the door and held my breath. The moment it cracked open, Arias stared at me.
Hestared.
I was keened to the Omnus standing in the doorway. I watched his throat work, saw his nostrils flare, and I sure as hell didn’t miss the glint of heat in his crystal blue eyes. Yeah. It was now or never. Speak now, or forever hold your peace.
“Dallon?” he breathed out.
“Mind if I come in?”
