Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
QUINN
“You can’t be serious.”
“I have never been more serious in my life,” I declare.
August stares at the shirt I just handed him, then back up at me. “You want me to wear this? Why?”
Luckily, I was able to swing by one of those novelty gift stores on my way to his place last night.
I had time to browse, seeing as how August stayed late to beef up his ice cream stock before leaving town.
Among the raunchy party games, neon beer signs, and rudely shaped mugs, I found a horrible piece of clothing that was perfect for my purposes.
“Because”—I gesture emphatically at his beautiful, muscular body—“of that.”
“You don’t like my shirt?” August’s mouth twists as if he’s fighting a frown, eyes dropping away from my face. He fingers the edge of his shirt, a navy-blue piece of cotton that hugs him like a second skin and has the logo of Land of Ice Cream and Snow printed on the front.
Bless the goddess, August looks so sad, and I feel like I kicked a puppy. A sexy, handsome puppy.
“Not like it?” I scoff. “I’m obsessed with it. I want to rip it off you, then wrap myself in it. I would mummify myself in that shirt and happily be entombed in a sarcophagus for all eternity.”
My gushing chases away the mopey look in August’s eyes, but he’s still obviously not grasping the importance of this wardrobe change. It’s like he has selective memory when it comes to how his looks affect me.
Even now, when he’s worried about his mom and I should be offering concern and words of support, I can’t help but remember the cool deliciousness of his mouth against mine.
Then, as if the universe knows how weak I am, a subtle scent teases my nose, so tantalizing that I can’t help a gasp.
“Wha—” August’s question cuts off when I crowd his personal space, pressing my face to his chest and breathing in deep.
My suspicion is proven right.
“I knew it!” I can’t keep the accusation out of my voice. “Waffle cones. For goddess’s sake, August. I need you to try to be unsexy. At least for the flight.”
“But I’m not trying to be sexy.” He almost looks chagrined, as if apologizing. It’s infuriating.
“That’s even worse! Do you know how sexy not knowing you’re sexy is? Do you?”
“I know you’re sexy,” August offers with a placating smile, and I don’t know whether to kiss him or shove him.
“Of course I am! I have a rocking body and a head of hair a succubus would be envious of. But do you see what I’m wearing? I have Crocs on.” I wave toward my feet. “Crocs.” There shouldn’t be a need to point out the loose, shapeless T-shirt and holey sweatpants I also pulled on.
“I like you in Crocs.”
“You. Are. Impossible.” I pinch the bridge of my nose before growling at him, “Go get in the shower.”
“But I—”
“Get in the shower—now. Please.” I try not to imagine him getting all wet and sudsy. “I need you to scrub your skin until you smell like something other than dessert. Then, hopefully, we will get through this plane ride without me setting the engines on fire.”
A wave of cold brushes over me, and when I glance up, I can see the Ice Elemental’s pupils have dilated.
“That’s what this is about?”
“Of course it is. I’m not trying to be some creep by telling you that you’re asking for it because of how you’re dressed.
But you’ve got to know how much you turn me on simply by existing.
Can you please just work with me to tone this all down?
” My hands outline his Viking body of deliciousness again.
Biting his lower lip, August holds the T-shirt I bought him up to his chest. I searched the racks for the most annoyingly offensive shirt that I thought wouldn’t get him into an argument with a random person on the street. And then I grabbed the largest size the store carried.
This is how we’ve ended up with August contemplating an XXL black number that proclaims him to be a member of the FBI.
AKA Female Body Inspector.
It is horrendous and does a lot to douse the literal and figurative fire in my panties he normally inspires. That is, as long as I focus on the shirt rather than the goodlooking head above it.
“Okay. We’ll do it your way. But I promise nothing will happen. I’m going to keep an eye on you, okay? I’ll keep you cool. Make sure our powers are balanced. You won’t hurt anyone.” August sets the shirt aside and pulls me into a comforting hug.
“You didn’t at the shop,” I mutter against his chest. I try not to sound accusatory, but it’s an important point that needs to be made.
Now that we’re so close to leaving, I can’t help but wonder if my gesture of support is turning into another burden for him to carry. Am I a bad girlfriend?
“I was distracted then. This time, I won’t be. I won’t make a move. We’ll just be a normal couple, flying to visit my parents. We can pretend we’re years down the road, and all the passion between us has cooled.”
I snort. “Sure. Like I’ll ever stop drooling over you.”
August pulls back slightly to grin down at me. “I’ll spend the whole flight telling you embarrassing stories from my childhood. Those should take the edge off.”
With his sugary scent twining around me and his hard body pressed up against mine, I doubt how successful his plan will be.
“Doesn’t hurt to try.”