Chapter 22
HAPPY DANCES SHOULD BE ILLEGAL
ASHER
The week passes in a blur of debriefing meetings and follow up video calls with the client when, predictably, someone decided they could “fix” a software problem on their own rather than putting in a call to the team (me) who knows it backwards and forwards and is paid to solve those exact problems. When it’s ultimately made even worse by said meddling, I end up with an extra stack of work on my plate.
I came in early today, on a Friday of all days, to try to get to the bottom of it before the weekend. Especially since I have a date with Raya planned for tonight, and I don’t want to have any lingering work stressors hanging over my head.
On the plus side, well, Raya.
She strolls into the office with a smile on her face, and the brief glimpse of her bouncing into the kitchen already lightens my mood.
Suddenly, this issue no longer seems quite so pressing.
I push back from my desk and quietly follow in Raya’s footsteps; I’m unable to hold myself back from her at this point.
All I want to do is be near her and soak in her presence.
Thankfully the meeting with HR went well, so we don’t have to worry about hiding our relationship.
I stop in the kitchen doorway, leaning against the wall where I can see Raya’s profile facing our coworker.
“What’s got you even more cheerful than normal today?” Alex stirs a pound of sugar into their coffee as they lean against the counter next to Raya.
“Oh, nothing. I’m just looking forward to the weekend," she replies, the smile on her face stretching her cheeks, and I can’t help but hope it’s because of our date tonight.
I told her I wanted to surprise her, and the way her eyes lit up made me want to drop to my knees in worship.
Knowing she likes surprises is another tidbit I’ve tucked close to my chest. I hoard information about her like a dragon guarding its treasure.
Confounding as it is, I’ve decided not to question my reactions to this sunny shifter anymore, and just go with the flow.
I silently spin out of the doorway but wait next to it, nodding to Alex as they head back to their desk a minute later. Raya is still puttering around in the kitchen, and I wait with bated breath for her to exit too.
When she turns into the hallway and sees me, her eyes brighten in that way I live for, and I meet her grin with an irresistible smile of my own. It feels less and less foreign on my face with every passing day. I’ve never smiled this much in my life, and it’s bewildering how easy she makes it.
“Good morning, sunshine," I say, trying to control my voice so it doesn’t betray how close I am to slamming her against the wall and taking her lips with my own.
“Hi! Happy Friday.” Raya’s eyes flicker down my body as she takes in my fitted slacks and button down shirt, and my smile turns smug. I don’t try to stop it, instead enjoying the slight flush on her cheeks as a result.
I turn and gesture for her to walk with me. She raises an eyebrow as I lead us in the opposite direction of our desks.
“It’s the end of the week, I thought you might need a restock on your office supplies," I say, throwing in a wink for good measure.
Raya throws her head back and laughs. Not exactly the reaction I was going for, but I’ll take it.
“Oh, you are not subtle at all, but yes, I do believe I’m in need of some more sticky notes.
” She playfully wrinkles her nose at me over the rim of her mug as she sips her tea.
How is it that this woman can make any face, and it’s always cute?
I roll my eyes at her antics, opening the door to the supply room and taking the mug from her hand.
I set it carefully on a shelf as we step inside.
As soon as it’s out of my hands, I snatch Raya by her waist and swing her around, using her back to close the door as I press her against it.
My mouth goes straight to her neck and I inhale, relishing her surprised gasp and loving the soft scent of her.
Strawberry and coconut, sweetness and sunshine.
When my nose bumps her earlobe, I whisper in her ear.
“You’re a radiant sunbeam today in that yellow dress, hugging your curves in all the right places.
You love to drive me crazy, don’t you, sunshine?
” I nip her ear, earning a whimper from her pouty lips, before I continue.
“I’ve been here for hours already. I’m starving for you. ”
Her breath hitches and my mind reels with the implication.
I didn’t mean to say that last part, but it’s true and I don’t take it back.
I’d love to taste her blood, certain she’d be exquisite, but I won’t pressure her into anything she’s not comfortable with.
If that was what her reaction was about though…
Well, that’s something to explore when we aren’t hiding in a glorified closet.
I pull back to look down at her flushed cheeks, her brown eyes filled with heat and her fingers clenched in my shirt.
She’s perfect.
I release her waist with one hand, bringing it up to lightly trace the line of her throat before I step back and fix her hair where it’s slightly mussed after being pressed against the door.
My crooked grin feels wicked as my eyes hold hers and I pick her mug back up, nudging it against her hands where they’re still fisted in my shirt.
She blinks rapidly, then scowls at me as she takes her mug.
“You’re… that was…” Raya is the most adorable when she’s flustered, especially when it’s because she’s turned on—by me.
“Yes, sunshine?” I muse.
She huffs, turning her back on me and grabbing an entire box of sticky notes before flinging the door open. She gives me one last glare over her shoulder as she stomps away, and no matter what her pursed lips say, the rest of her glows with happy mischief.
The remainder of the day trickles by, slow as molasses, only made bearable by the fact that I can look up and see Raya a few feet from me—and I do so many, many times.
I watch as she jabs the end of her pen into her cheek while thinking.
I notice how her lips tilt up sometimes when she’s typing.
I’m not sure if she knows how often my eyes are drawn to her, but she certainly catches me more than I’d like.
When the workday clock finally runs out and our coworkers say their goodbyes, I turn to Raya.
“Ready to go?” I ask, and she bites her lower lip with a nod.
“Where are we going?” Raya asks, practically skipping to the elevator.
“Back to my place," I say, and Raya’s steps falter. “Beyond that, it’s a surprise.”
Raya turns to face me as the elevator doors close.
“Your dick isn’t a surprise, Ash," she deadpans, and I snort.
“I mean, my dick is always on the menu, but that’s not what I had planned for tonight.”
“Ooooh, there’s a menu?” Raya’s eyebrows waggle and I shake my head.
“Of course there’s a menu. You think I’d ask you to give me your Friday night without feeding you?”
Her little happy dance should be illegal with the way it draws my eyes straight to her breasts.
She chatters nonstop as I guide her to my car and drive us out to my place in a quieter neighborhood outside the main city.
I’m surprised to find, not for the first time, that I genuinely enjoy listening to her and don’t have any inclination to tune her out like I would every single other person on this planet.
When we arrive, she bounces out of the car. It’s the first time I’ve invited her here, and I’m a little bit nervous.
Attempting to discreetly wipe my hands on my dark slacks as I lead her up to the door, I place one hand on her lower back.
I tell myself it’s so I can touch her, but there’s also a part of me that wants anyone who may see us to know she’s mine.
Raya smiles up at me, oblivious to my possessive thoughts.
“Oh, this place is so cute!” she says, looking around at the quaint front porch.
Unlocking the door and opening it with a flourish, I invite her inside as a few butterflies dart sideways in my stomach.
I look around, wondering what about my bachelor pad gives her the impression of cute.
Meanwhile, Milton lets out a strangled sounding “mrow” from his usual place next to the key-bowl.
Raya lets out an equally strangled sounding “ohstarshesocute!” as I give Milton the ‘be nice or else’ look.
He knows there’s no ‘or else’ though, so I’m not sure how much good it does.
To my utmost surprise, he stands with his paws on the edge of the console table and leans toward Raya.
She squeezes her hands to her chest, then holds one out for him to sniff.
He nuzzles his head under it and purrs, rubbing against her fingers as she holds perfectly still.
I sense her pulse skyrocket as she bites her lip, wide eyes sparkling.
“He’s perfect,” she whispers, and Milton turns his smug green eyes on me. I should have known they’d get along, her family are feline shifters, after all. He probably likes her better than me already.
Milton drops off the table and winds between our legs.
“Can I have a tour?” Her irresistible doe eyes turn my brain to jelly and I agree before I even realize what she’s asking.
A tour, right.
“Well, it’s not much, but it’s comfortable," I say, slipping off her raincoat and hanging it on the coat rack by the door before placing mine next to it. I like how they look hanging side by side.
“Living room.” I gesture forward as the space opens around us. “Kitchen is there, as you can see.”
Raya’s eyes roam around, taking in the details I rarely let others see.
“Bathroom is through there.” More gesturing and pointing, before I lead her down a hallway past the open kitchen and living areas.
“Bedroom is this way.” I take her hand, opening the door to my bedroom, and for some reason, holding my breath.
“Did someone design this for you? It’s not what I’d expect of a bachelor in his late twenties.
” Raya pokes at my arm with a long, delicate finger and I snatch it before bringing it to my mouth for a playful nibble.
She giggles as she turns and walks further into the room.
It does something to me, seeing her in my space like this.
She glows, her yellow dress and cheer bringing a new light to my bedroom.
“No, I did look into some design ideas though. I didn’t know where to start so I kind of copied other designs I liked.”
She nods, opening the door to the adjoining bathroom. Her eyes go wide as she freezes in place, and I hear her heart skip a beat. I panic for a moment, wondering what danger could possibly be lurking in my shower or toilet.
“This tub is incredible!” Raya’s eyes are sparkling as she turns back to me. “How do you not live in it all the time?”
I choke out a laugh, shoulders slumping in relief that there isn’t an axe murderer or wild boar in the bathroom. Then I add “sexy bath time” to my mental list of future plans with Raya.
I lean against the wall as she explores further, opening my nightstand drawers and perusing my bookshelf. When she gets to the dresser and starts pulling those drawers open too, I realize we could be here all night if I don’t put a stop to it.
“Oooookay, I think that’s enough snooping for now. You can do more later.” I snag her waist and pull her back to my chest, curling around her and burying my nose in her hair. “I didn’t know you were such a nosy little shifter.”
Raya’s tinkling laugh loosens my muscles and she wiggles, turning in my hold to sling her arms over my shoulders.
“I just want to know everything about you," she says.
I can’t blame her for that. I’ve had the exact same thought more than once, though it sounds much more innocent coming from her lips than it does when crossing my mind.