Page 122 of The Stone Secret
Selas and Orix took the seats opposite me, leaving the one beside me vacant for Prasan.
“I feel kinda underdressed,” Selas said, tugging at her elite uniform. She had a point, because the women in this place were all made up and wearing pretty dresses while the men wore dress shirts and pants.
“Fuck it,” Orix said. “We’re elite, and this is the only outfit that matters. Besides,” he said with a soft smile, “the most beautiful women are sitting at this table.”
Selas’s eyes widened slightly, and then her cheeks went pink.
I grinned at Orix. “Have you thought about opening a charm school for goyles? Trust me, there are some males that could really do with the lessons.”
“If you’re referring to a specific grumpy sigma, then trust me, I’ve tried. Serath is resistant.”
“Resistant to what?” Serath said from behind me.
My whole body reacted to his voice by flooding with heat. My breasts swelled, and the pulse between my thighs throbbed dully.
Fuck. Why was he sitting next to me?
I shot Prasan a glare as he returned from the toilets.
He looked sheepish before claiming the free seat at the head of the table.
Serath could have taken that, but he didn’t. He’dchosento sit next to me.
Dammit, why did that make me feel good?
“How was training?” Serath asked me.
I hated how much it pleased me that he was speaking directly to me.
“It was good.” I kept my tone light. “Derek is healing. Willowman is back. Everything is good.”
“Good.”
“Great,” Orix said with a slight eye roll. “Let’s order.”
* * *
The food was delicious,and I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t been so hyperaware of Serath’s every move beside me. Every shift of his body, every accidental brush of his taut thigh against mine, every touch of his elbow to my arm as he lifted his cutlery to his mouth.
Urgh.
I needed this meal to be over because this was like some kind of twisted foreplay.
Finally, the main course was done with. Some kind of savory meat and sauce, and fuck it, I barely tasted a thing.
“They do some delicious desserts here,” Orix said.
“Actually,” Serath said, “there’s somewhere I’d like to take Cameron.”
“Sounds great.” Orix grinned widely. “Let’s go.”
“No,” Serath said. “Just Cameron.”
“I don’t think that’s a great idea,” Selas said.
“For goodness sake,” Prasan snapped. “We’re in the middle of Asteria, surrounded by people. They’re not about to fornicate in the square.”
Orix snorted. “Fornicate.”
