Page 26 of A Savior for the Arrogant Dragon

“Darn right this is the best shop on the island,” a man wearing a white coat said. “My name is Harry, and we might be able to squeeze you in. I just have one question for you.”

He wasn’t sure what kind of question the man would have, but knew he had to play along, “Sure, why not,” he said.

“Did you cut your hair yourself?” Harry asked. “Or did someone do that to you?”

The room erupted into laughter, “Well, I didn’t exactly do it myself,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “It’s a long story, and you probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but let’s just say I’ve been out of touch for a long time.”

Harry put his hands on his hips and studied him for several long seconds, “That’s a good enough answer for me,” he finally said. “But son, let me give you one piece of advice before we get started, get some new clothes.”

He laughed, “That’s my next stop after you fix my hair,” he said. “Maybe you could recommend a good place for me to go shopping.”

That started a debate among the men sitting around the shop that lasted until Harry was finished with his haircut, “Well, I’m all done,” Harry said, spinning the chair around. “What do you think?”

The change was dramatic. Gone was the shaggy long hair. In its place was a neat cut that stripped years from his face, and he sat staring at himself for a long time. “Harry, you’re amazing,” he said, deciding that he wasn’t that bad looking after all. “I’m really beginning to like the new me.”

Kira was waiting on a bench for him when he walked out, and at first, she didn’t recognize him, making him laugh. “The woman at the marina was right,” he said. “I might have to come back here for all my haircuts.”

“Wow, you look amazing,” Kira said. “Not that you looked that bad before.”

“It’s okay, I know what I looked like,” he said. “And I know that appearances aren’t everything, but I still feel better.”

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best,” Kira said, linking his arm through his. “And new clothes will finish off your transformation.”

“We’re supposed to go to Hector’s House of Menswear,” he informed her with a grin. “At least I think that was the final vote.”

Kira laughed, “Well, then, let’s go find this Hector’s,” she said. “I don’t suppose you got an address.”

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to her, “I had Harry write it down, along with directions,” he said. “See, I’m learning. Details matter.”

After studying the directions, they headed down the street, hand in hand again, and he found himself smiling as they walked. What had seemed like a huge disaster only a few days ago was beginning to look a whole lot different to him, and he was even a bit thankful that it had happened. Life was beginning to open up to him again, and the woman walking next to him deserved a lot of the credit. If she hadn’t stood up to him, if she hadn’t forced him to open up, he’s still be treading water, wasting his life.

He’d never loved anyone but Emma, but what he was feeling was dangerously close to what he’d felt back then. It both scared and excited him to know that he was still capable of loving someone. He’d shut that part of himself off so long ago, he’d been afraid that it didn’t exist anymore. He’d sworn back then that he’d never risk his heart again, that love wasn’t for him, but now that he’d met Kira, those promises he’d made to himself all those years ago seemed short-sighted.

It might be the freedom he’d been given from the tight restraints of being rich and at the top of the social ladder, or it might have been Kira, but for the first time in a long time, hope was bubbling up inside him. When they reached the clothing store, he pulled her to a stop on the sidewalk and gave her another kiss, then smiled down at her, enjoying the confusedlook on her face.

“Simon, you really have to quit doing that,” she said, slightly breathless. “We’re just friends, remember?”

“It was just a friendly kiss,” he said, shrugging his shoulders, trying to look innocent. “Come on, let’s go inside. From what I heard; Hector is an interesting guy.”

Kira let out a long sigh, “You are impossible,” she said. “No more kissing me.”

“That’s fine, I mean, if you can’t handle it, I’ll understand,” he said, puffing up his chest and looking smug like the old Simon. “I know I’m impossible to resist, even when I look like this.”

Kira laughed, “Oh, no, I hope the old Simon isn’t back, I don’t like him very much,” she said. “Now, the new Simon, that’s a different story.”

“Don’t worry, the old Simon isn’t back,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “But the new one still wants to kiss you again.”

“Simon……I don’t think….” she stammered, desire blossoming in her eyes, “that’s a very good idea.”

He reached up and stroked her cheek with his thumb, then ran it over her bottom lip, “All I want is a kiss, Kira,” he said. “I don’t expect anything more.”

She was staring up at him, her breath coming faster, and he knew all he had to do was lower his mouth to hers and take what he wanted, but he didn’t. Instead, he gently released her. It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but he wasn’t the old Simon; physical gratification wasn’t the only thing on his mind. He wanted Kira, but he wanted her to come to him freely. He wanted it to be her choice when the time came.

“But I understand why you’re being careful. In your shoes, I would feel the same thing. I don’t exactly have the best reputation when it comes to women,” he said. “So, whenyou’re ready, when it’s not a bad idea for me to kiss you, just let me know.”

***Kira***

There was a war going on inside of Kira as she stood on the sidewalk with Simon. He seemed so sincere, and the truth was, she wanted to believe him, wanted to take the couple of steps that would put her in his arms again. But she kept her feet rooted in place, wishing now that her attraction to him was just physical, not ready to put herself or her heart at risk with a man who was the king of manipulating women. Edward had taught her that words meant little, it was actions that spoke the truth about a person, and Simon hadn’t proven himself yet. He still had a long way to go before she trusted him.

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