Chapter 33
Chapter
Thirty-Three
Phin got off the stage before Jessica did and headed straight back to the table.
As Rhaz approached, he gave her a wide smile, and she couldn’t help but smile back. She was embarrassed yet thrilled that he’d seen her dance. She and Jessica had learned their little routine while practicing belly dancing to pop songs. The one Jessica had picked tonight was their favorite.
She couldn’t deny she liked the praise she was receiving from the audience as she made her way back to the table and sat down, breathing a little harder than she needed to. The appreciative look Rhaz kept giving her certainly wasn’t helping.
“That was something,” he said, never taking his eyes from hers. “Where did you learn to do that?”
She took a deep breath and let it out.
“The community center. They offer all kinds of classes. That was just one of them. We were thinking about taking square dancing in the fall.”
“Square dancing,” he repeated with amusement. “I can only imagine what that consists of.”
“Nothing like what we just did, that’s for sure.” She laughed, then caught Basil’s disapproving stare. Apparently not everyone had enjoyed their performance. He crossed his arms and looked away.
She beamed at Rhaz. “I had fun tonight. Did you?”
He gave her a wide smile. “You have no idea, Seraphina Ironwood. What I wouldn’t give to have another night like this. It was, and still is, enchanting.”
“Enchanting?” Jessica echoed as she slid into her seat beside Richard.
“That was awesome, baby.” Richard wrapped an arm around her shoulders, kissed her nose, then her lips.
“Geez, get a room, you two.” Phin looked away.
Rhaz took her hand. “Do you need something cold to drink? You look warm.”
Her heart skipped. She nodded, grabbed the nearest glass of water, drained it, and set it back on the table.
“I need some air.” Phin stood.
Rhaz rose immediately and followed her from the bar, through the restaurant, and out into the parking lot. “That was wonderful,” he said. “I will remember it for a very long time. Perhaps always.”
“It was just a silly dance, Rhaz. Nothing special.”
“It was to me.” He smiled. “I admire your courage. It must take a great deal to stand before so many people and perform.”
“Not when you’re a natural-born ham, which would be Jessica.” She was still breathing harder than normal and silently promised herself she would start exercising more. “I’m the shy one in the family.”
“Shy or not,” he said gently. “You were wonderful. I loved it.”
Her heart fluttered. He wasn’t being vulgar or rude. There was no leering in his gaze. Only admiration. That somehow made it mean more.
“I aim to please.” She looked around and fanned herself. “Wow, it’s hot out here.”
“You’ve been dancing. Of course you’re warm.” He glanced toward the dark sky.
“I could go for a swim,” she blurred. “I wonder how long Aaron and Betty are going to stay. They let us swim in the lake. I hope they let us tonight.”
“Tonight,” he repeated thoughtfully. He glanced at the restaurant. “Yes. Tonight.” His expression grew serious.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Of course. But we will probably be leaving soon. It is getting late.”
She checked her watch. “It’s only nine o’clock. Karaoke stays open until midnight.”
“That late?” he asked in surprise. “Do people enjoy singing off-key that much?”
She giggled. “You’d be surprised.”
An awkward silence settled between them, until she said, “I am glad you had a good time.”
Rhaz stepped closer. “It was made better by you.” The sincerity in his voice nearly stole her breath. “I enjoy spending time with you, Seraphina Ironwood.” He glanced at the ground, then met her gaze once more. “I would like to spend more time with you, if I may.”
She froze. What? Her throat suddenly felt dry. Was he finally going to ask her out?
“Would you join me for breakfast?” he asked.
Phin opened her mouth. Nothing came out. A breakfast date? “Breakfast?” she squeaked. “Sure. Who else is going?”
“No one. Just us.” His smile widened. “We could go to Kathy’s Country Kitchen. You said they serve breakfast.”
She nodded, still struggling to form coherent thoughts, and looked anywhere but at him while gathering her courage. “Are you... um... asking me on a date?”
He smiled. “A date is when two people spend time together, usually over a meal, conversing and getting to know one another. Quill told me.”
She laughed. “Yeah. One of those.”
“Then yes.” His smile softened. “I am taking you on a date.”
Her chest tightened. “Does that mean you’re staying in Moon Creek Falls?”
“I am not sure when I might leave.” His expression became thoughtful. “From what I hear, it could be quite some time.”
“How much time?” she heard herself ask.
“Perhaps years,” he said, his expression growing serious again.
“Years,” she repeated. “So you’re staying.”
“I have little choice at the moment, but that is all right. I have something to stay for now.” He stepped closer. Before she knew what was happening, he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers.
It was a chaste kiss. The sort of goodnight kiss a gentleman gave a lady after a lovely evening.
When Rhaz drew back, Phin’s eyes were closed. It took her a moment to open them. He’d just kissed her! Oh golly. Now what was she supposed to do?
She blinked and found him watching her with a rather pleased smile.
“I hope that was satisfactory,” he said in a low voice that sent a delightful shiver through her.
“Oh. Uh-huh.” She nodded. A simple kiss. Nothing but a tiny peck on the lips. And somehow he’d kissed her completely senseless. She was still nodding when he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
“I must go now, Seraphina, but I will see you in the morning. All right?”
Phin nodded again. She was an idiot and couldn’t think. Couldn’t move. Heck, she couldn’t even form a complete sentence.
And all because of a little kiss. Jessica was never going to let her live this down.
“I should walk you back inside. It isn’t safe out here.”
That finally broke the spell. Phin laughed. “Rhaz, this is Moon Creek Falls. Nothing happens around here. Well, except for rumors of wolves in the woods. No thanks to Sam Darnell.” She giggled. “I didn’t know he could dance like that.”
Rhaz looked puzzled. “Sam?”
She laughed harder. “No. Anon.”
He gave her a curious look. “Was that dancing?”
She shook her head. “I honestly don’t know.” It felt good to laugh with and be near him.
It was even better to have him loop his arm through hers and escort her back inside. As soon as they entered the restaurant, several heads turned.
Louise. Anon. Basil. Especially Basil.
The gnome didn’t look pleased. In fact, he looked downright furious. Phin lowered her voice. “Is that your friend everyone keeps talking about?”
“Yes.” Rhaz glanced toward Basil. “That is Basil.”
“Is he staying here in Moon Creek Falls?”
Rhaz nodded. “For as long as I am.”
Phin bit her lower lip. “I don’t think he likes me.”
“Don’t feel bad. Basil doesn’t like most people.” A smile tugged at Rhaz’s mouth. “He will probably transfer his irritation to someone else soon enough. More than likely Anon.”
She laughed. “Why doesn’t he like Anon? Everybody loves Anon.”
Rhaz gave her a warm smile. “Never mind about Basil. I’ll speak with him if he makes you uncomfortable.” His gaze drifted toward the short man again. “He’s trying to control things he cannot control. He will continue until he exhausts himself or someone threatens to end him.”
Phin winced. “So whichever comes first?”
“Something like that.” Rhaz patted her hand and tightened his arm around hers. “Did you ride here with Jessica and Richard?”
She nodded.
“Then I will leave you with them.” He guided her toward their table.
Jessica and Richard looked up as they approached. When they reached them, Rhaz reluctantly released her arm. Across the room, Anon and the others were already gathering their things. Apparently, they had been waiting for him.
“I bid you good night, Seraphina.” He took her hand, lifted and kissed it. “Until tomorrow.” He gave her a slight bow, turned and walked away.
Phin sighed. The sound caught Jessica’s attention. “So-o-o… somebody’s in trouble,” her sister sang.
“Somebody’s falling in love,” Richard added.
Phin made a face. “Oh, why don’t the two of you go sing something together?”
“Great idea.” Jessica jumped to her feet, grabbed Richard’s hand, and hauled him toward the karaoke host.
Phin watched them go, smiling despite herself, and sat down. She touched her fingertips to her lips. Rhaz Stormfyr had kissed her…
Phin closed her eyes and sighed in contentment.
That night’s hunt proved no more fruitful than the others.
The team returned home, went straight to bed, and got what rest they could. Rhaz only had a few hours before breakfast with Phin.
Thankfully, as a dragon shifter, he required far less sleep than a human.
Jackson, Anon, Caelen, and Quill had teased him mercilessly on the walk home from Tequila Mockingbird. After all, he’d entered the restaurant with Phin on his arm and left after kissing her hand.
The ribbing had been good-natured enough, but he’d heard the unspoken concern beneath it.
What if the door opens? What will you do then? Basil, on the other hand, had said nothing. That worried him.
The gnome clearly disliked what was happening, but too bad. Rhaz would have a talk with him before he did something foolish, like saying something to Phin that might cool her affections toward him. It would be exactly the sort of thing Basil would do. The little imp.
When Rhaz rose the next morning, he showered, dressed, and headed downstairs.
Basil stood at the stove preparing breakfast. “And where are you off to, Your Highness?” he asked accusingly.
“If you must know, I am going to have breakfast with Miss Seraphina Ironwood.”
Basil frowned. “You are behaving very foolishly, my prince. She is a human female.”
“Yes. What of it?”
“You cannot have her. You are betrothed to Princess Beyza. What would King Iskareth do if he discovered you were cavorting with a human female?”