Chapter Seven
Landon
By the time dinner finished, I realized I might actually be in trouble, and not because Dashiel was intense, which he definitely was. But somehow that wasn’t the issue anymore.
The issue was that I liked being around him.
Way too much and in such a short amount of time.
Was this what being fated to a supernatural meant?
That my usual thoughts and processes flew out the window, and I was suddenly thinking about all the ways we could spend time together?
I’d watched his lips move more times than I could count—and I was an accountant for crying out loud—all while wondering if they were as soft as they looked and what they would feel like against mine.
This bond was blowing my mind, and it wasn’t even a full connection yet.
Yet?
Like I was considering being with him.
Dear God.
I needed to figure myself out, but I didn’t have a clue how. All I knew was that I liked Dashiel’s company. Could I eventually love him?
What the hell am I thinking?
Monkey had spent most of dinner watching us like he was witnessing the greatest sitcom of his life. Apparently, learning about Dashiel’s glamour was a wild ride, and he’d asked why he didn’t use it on him.
Dashiel had simply replied, “You are Landon’s son. Family. And you know of the existence of our kind. There is no point in hiding.”
After that, Dashiel had calmly begun helping wash dishes beside me like he belonged in my kitchen.
And somehow it hadn’t felt weird.
It should have. An elf standing beside me, drying plates while casually teasing my son over his caffeine addiction should have felt bizarre considering that a week ago, I didn’t even know supernatural beings existed.
Instead, it’d felt good.
“Do all humans drink this much coffee?” Dashiel asked while handing me another clean plate.
Monkey chuckled. “Usually. It’s like an emotional support item.”
Dashiel looked genuinely thoughtful. “That does not sound medically advisable.”
I snorted into a laugh before I could stop myself.
Dashiel’s gaze shifted toward me instantly, softening in a way that continued to do stupid things to my chest.
“I can literally see heart eyes happenin’ in real time,” Monkey said.
“Monkey,” I warned immediately.
“What? I’m just observin’.”
I scoffed. “You’re being annoying.”
“Yet, you love me.”
Smiling, I rolled my eyes. “I tolerate you.”
Monkey grinned triumphantly before turning toward Dashiel. “See? That means he loves me.”
“I had already concluded as much.” Dashiel smiled, and my gut fluttered.
Hell. This was bad.
I think I have a crush on an elf.
He was sweet, protective, and interested in wanting to know so many things about me, as if the knowledge genuinely mattered to him.
Earlier, he’d wanted to know what meals I grew up eating, what desserts I liked, and why I hated mushrooms. We talked about sports—not that he watched any—but he listened to me go on about the teams I supported and how the games were played.
Glancing at him again, I saw Dashiel eyeing Monkey’s coffee with distaste before he gave me his attention and said, “I would like to bring you some tea from my home someday. There are flavors I believe you would enjoy.”
See? He was too damn sweet, thinking about what I might like.
No one had done that for me in a long time.
Smiling, I nodded. “I’d like that.” I held my hand out for the dish towel, and when he passed it over, I dried my hands before placing it on the counter and turning to my son.
I cocked my head to the side when I saw his thoughtful expression
Monkey shook his head and drained the rest of his coffee before he stood, stretching dramatically. “Well,” he announced, “I should probably leave before Pops throws somethin’ at my head.”
“I will if you leave your mug on the table,” I replied dryly.
Monkey laughed and grabbed his cup, then deposited it in the sink. He went back for his jacket and pulled it on. “Pops. Quick sec.” He tipped his chin toward the front of the house.
“Yeah, of course.”
“Night, Dashiel,” Monkey said.
“Goodnight.” Dashiel dipped his head, his hair swaying over his shoulders, revealing more of his cute, pointy ears.
I cleared my throat. “I won’t be long.”
“I shall wash his cup.”
He was clearly staying in the kitchen to give us privacy. Though, I was sure he’d still be able to hear.
I followed Monkey out the front door and closed it after me.
My son leaned against the front porch railing as he looked at me seriously. “You two seem to get along,” he said quietly.
Heat crawled up the back of my neck immediately. “We’re just talking.”
“Yeah.” His grin turned knowing. “I’ve got eyes.”
I opened my mouth, then promptly closed it again because I honestly didn’t know what to say.
Monkey’s expression gentled. “But don’t force anythin’ either,” he added quietly. “If you don’t want this, you don’t have to.”
I appreciated his words.
“There’s still time to be sure about acceptin’ or declinin’,” he continued. “No pressure.”
I stared at my son for a long moment—at the concern and the protectiveness in his eyes.
Monkey reached out and squeezed my shoulder once. “I just want you happy.”
Emotions tightened my chest. “Thanks, son. I want the same for you too,” I told him.
Monkey grinned instantly. “Yeah, yeah. Love you.”
Reaching out, I yanked him close and hugged him. “Love you too.”
I watched him walk to his vehicle and get in. I was glad he hadn’t ridden his bike, since the night air was now chilly. With a final wave, I went back inside, which felt much warmer even though I didn’t have a heater on.
I paused for a second longer than necessary while my brain caught up with the fact that it was just me and Dashiel now.
Only this time, the thought of being alone with him didn’t make me nervous.
It made something coil low in my stomach.
God. This is definitely trouble.
“You appear thoughtful,” Dashiel observed softly as he gracefully made his way toward me with his dark hair slightly messy and sleeves rolled up from helping clean.
He was entirely too attractive.
And that was another problem.
At some point during dinner, my thoughts had stopped circling around whether I could be attracted to a man. Now they centered around the fact that I was attracted to Dashiel.
And only him.
The distinction mattered a lot, as this didn’t feel broad or confusing anymore.
It felt focused and tied to the elf currently looking at me like I was the most important person in the room.
Which… yeah, knowing that he felt that way was doing things to me too.
“I’m fine,” I said finally.
A faint smile touched his mouth. “You are a poor liar.”
“That’s kind of rude,” I said, but I did so with a smile. I waved toward the couch. “We should probably sit down before I fall down. I haven’t had much sleep the past few days.”
“I could leave so you can retire to bed.”
“No,” I blurted too fast. His smile had my pulse racing. I cleared my throat. “You can stay for a bit longer. But if I fall asleep, it’s not because I found you boring.”
His soft laugh caressed my ears.
Dear God. I seriously was in trouble here. I was also way out of my element.
It had to be the bond. Even though it wasn’t completed yet, maybe it still helped me see something in Dashiel that I never would have with any other guy.
And yet, I couldn’t find it in myself to care if it was because of some magic Fate had placed on us.
I dropped onto one end of the couch while Dashiel settled beside me with an effortless kind of elegance that made me suddenly aware of how large he actually was.
To distract myself so I wouldn’t stare at how tall and broad and close he was, I grabbed the remote and turned on the television.
Some random cooking show appeared on the screen, but neither of us paid much attention to it.
For a few moments, silence settled comfortably between us.
Until curiosity got the better of me.
“So,” I asked, glancing sideways at him, “what do you actually like doing?”
Dashiel turned slightly toward me. “Doing?”
“Yeah. Hobbies. Interests. Ancient elf activities.”
His eyes crinkled in the corner in amusement. “You believe all elves are ancient?”
“You remember a time before electricity,” I pointed out.
“That is fair.”
I snorted softly.
Dashiel considered the question seriously before he answered, “I enjoy reading and sword training. Strategy games.”
I blinked. “You know how to use swords?”
“Yes.”
“Of course you do,” I muttered. “Why wouldn’t the magical fire elf also know weapons?”
His soft laugh curled through me again.
God.
I really liked making him laugh.
That realization settled snugly inside my chest while he continued speaking.
“I also enjoy music,” he said. “And traveling through different realms.”
“Realms?” I repeated weakly.
“Yes.”
I cleared my throat and nodded. “I’m still getting used to that word and your world and simply knowing what’s actually out there.”
“You are adapting remarkably well.”
“Pretty sure I’m just too tired to panic properly anymore.”
Amusement flickered in his eyes.
I smiled again before my attention drifted lower without permission.
To his mouth.
The mistake hit instantly because now I couldn’t look away.
Dashiel’s lips were unfairly distracting.
They were so soft-looking.
Perfectly shaped.
And suddenly all I could think about was kissing him.
How would it feel?
Would he kiss gently?
Slowly?
Would his hand slide against my jaw?
Would he taste like the tea he kept talking about?
Heat spread through my body immediately.
Then lower.
Oh.
Oh, that was—
Yeah.
That was definitely attraction.
No confusion there.
Hell, I’d masturbated after being at the bar with him. I couldn’t deny my attraction, and now thinking about it had my face flushing.
I forced my attention upward, but it was too late.
Dashiel had noticed.
Of course he had.
The elf apparently noticed everything.
His expression shifted subtly, and it wasn’t in a smug or mocking way. More that he seemed pleased and interested.
My pulse jumped hard enough that I was convinced he’d heard it.
“You continue looking at my mouth,” he observed softly.
Every coherent thought left my brain. “I… ah….”
His gaze darkened slightly. Then, very gently, he asked, “Would you like a taste?”
Jesus Christ.
Would I?
Yeah, all right, I would.
“I am sorry,” he said immediately, voice quieter now as he added, “I should not have said that. I will leave.”
He made to stand, but when I reached out and placed my hand on his arm, he stopped. The mark on my wrist tingled, and Dashiel froze beneath my touch.
My pulse hammered hard. “I didn’t say no,” I muttered, but the words came out rougher than I intended.
Dashiel’s eyes rose slowly to mine. Hope flickered there so fast and bright, it nearly stole my breath.
“You did not,” he agreed softly.
Neither of us moved.
The television continued to play, but it was forgotten background noise somewhere behind the roaring in my ears, while my hand remained on his arm. He was warm, solid, and so very real.
God, this was really happening.
“I-I don’t know what I’m doing. I mean, I do. I know how to kiss, but I’ve never done it with a guy or an elf.”
“I am glad you never have.”
My lips pulled up in the corner. “Or you’d find them and burn them?”
“Exactly.” His tone was hard, which kicked up my pulse again
Dashiel turned back to me and moved slowly toward me, giving me enough time to pull away.
I didn’t.
I couldn’t.
The closer he got, the more my body reacted. My cock throbbed. My stomach took off in flight with nerves and excitement.
My breath caught when he was so close, I could feel his warm, sweet-scented breath, and before I could overthink and panic, I leaned forward and pressed my mouth to his.
For one stunned second, my brain completely blanked. Before everything instantly recharged and lit my world up as he cupped my cheek, and we deepened the kiss like it was what we both needed to do.
I tightened my hand on his arm while his thumb brushed slowly along my jaw, causing heat to spread through me.
I didn’t want this to stop.
Our tongues tangled together in a sensual caress, drawing out a moan from me.
Dashiel stilled for a beat before he gripped my waist and groaned into the kiss as it grew hungrier and hotter.
God.
Hell.
Yeah, I understood the attraction now.
There was no confusion left.
I wanted him.
Wanted this. I had never reacted with so much everything from just a single kiss.
The realization should have terrified me. Instead, as I sat here, kissing an elf on my couch, I felt strangely right.
Eventually, we pulled apart just enough to breathe.
His eyes searched my face carefully. “Are you all right?” he asked softly.
I stared at him for half a second and then laughed quietly in disbelief. “Yeah, I’m all right.”
I was more than all right.
I wanted to do it again and again and again.
“I liked kissing you, my beloved,” he confessed.
I nodded and cleared my throat. “I enjoyed it too.”
But if we did it again, I’d want more and more, and I worried I’d jump into things too fast and get scared in the end.
I didn’t want to ruin this.