Page 180 of Barbi and the Villain

“You…have?” I murmur, averting my gaze.

“Barbs, what do you think seeing you in that drenched, see-through dress did to me? I could not get the picture out of my mind for weeks.”

“Oh,” I murmur, enjoying having such an effect on him.

“Then it is just as well that I also thought about…” I trail off.

“About?” He raises a brow.

My eyes dip to his pants before I quickly look away.

He chuckles as I furiously blush.

Before I can gather my composure, he whispers in my ear.

“And what did you think about, sweet girl?”

“Well, I… I…” I stammer, unable to find my words. “I…”

“Relax, Barbs.” He laughs. “We can continue this conversation later, when we are alone…preferably with a bed nearby,” he adds suggestively.

I gulp down.

“But on the bright side, even when you’re blushing from head to toe, your shield is still hidden. Well done,” he murmurs the praise as he lays a quick kiss on my lips.

We resume our walking, and it’s the first time since we’ve known each other that we have been so at leisure around one another. There is an odd sense of comfort as he listens to me prattle away about my books and my favorite music or movies. And he’s not just pretending to listen. He muses over my words, asking questions and appearing genuinely interested in what I have to say.

I swear my heart cannot take more of this. How can this man be so perfect?

“And you know, I was very upset when they canceled the show because it was so good! I wish I already had my trust fund as then I could sponsor the show to keep it running and?—”

“Shh,” Nykander suddenly says as he places a hand up.

He stops, listening closely.

“There is someone coming,” he whispers.

“What? But you said this realm wasn’t populated.”

“So I did.” He purses his lips. “He might not be able to sense our energy signature, but he will be able to hear us just as we hear him.”

“Him? How do you know?”

“Close your eyes and listen.”

I do as he says.

“The steps are punctured, heavy. There is also a rhythm to them that speaks of military training. He knows we are listening and he is making his presence known.”

I frown.

“But why?”

“I do not know, but we are about to find out.”

“Do we need to fight? I can fight. Well, I might not know how, but I’m sure I can wing it somehow. You don’t have to do it all alone. Now I can help you too,” I tell him excitedly.

The prospect of being useful and needed is a new one, but I find that I’ve never been happier.

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