Page 35 of Lost Kingdom

“You’re objectifying me without my permission.”

“Yeah?”

The seamstress, Sharna, excuses herself and dashes into the next room. God forbid she stick around for a domestic disturbance coated in sexual tension. And, of course, her absence only makes Tim more smug.

“So when you stare at my forearms?” he questions, glancing down and bringing his arms around to his front. “You think I don’t feel objectified when you ogle my juicy veins and the luscious muscles I have?”

I roll my eyes and turn back to the mirror to ignore him. Sort of. “You’re so full of yourself.” No, he’s not. I stare at his arms all the damn time! “Seemsyou’requite fond of your forearms, though. I’m happy you’re happy.”

He pushes away from the wall with a soft, infuriating chuckle. “Does your mother know you have that sneaky tattoo back there?”

Curious, I stretch around and attempt to study the ink on the small of my back.

“If she’s unaware, I feel Eli may be intentionally doxing you, Aubree Grace. He likes to fuck with you.”

“Despite my aversion to agreeing with you onanymatter, I feel like that may be true, considering the cut of this dress. What is he thinking?”

“That his sisters are babes and he doesn’t mind showing them off.” He shrugs and steps up behind me, the warmth of his chest beating against my spine. “I can’t relate, since I don’t have sisters. But my sisters-in-law are hot. I’d wrap them in pretty dresses at my wedding, too. Makes for better photos on the mantel.”

I want to stab him and hug him at the same time.Howdoes he elicit such intense feelings every time we’re near each other?

“I’m thrilled to know what you think of Minka and Christabelle.” I straighten out and stare down at the front of my gown. “And Tiia, too, I suppose. Since Micah seems fairly serious about her.”

“And Tiia too.” He holds my eyes in the mirror. “Very pretty.”

“All three of whom are brunettes with olive skin. Seems your family’stypeis in your genes.”

Bravely, he drags his hand from his pocket and slowly walks the tips of his fingers up my arm until goosebumps sprint along my flesh and dip in to tickle my stomach. “None of them are you. So it seemsmytype is blonde, bright, and really fucking opinionated.” He licks his lips and knows, somehow, that my heart cartwheels with nerves. “This gown looks amazing. You shouldn’t worry about your ass.”

“It looks massive. The slit that exposes my back accentuates my curves in an entirely unflattering?—”

“Delicious, not unflattering.” He brings his hand up and squeezes the top of my shoulder. Massaging, almost. “I’ve kept my words to myself, mostly. I’ve swallowed down every objectifying, sexualized, and slightly scandalous thought I’ve ever had about you.”

“Not great for my ego.”

He chuckles. “But that dress makes it impossible for me to shut my mouth. I assure you; your ass looks fantastic. And your back. And yourshoulders.” He trails his fingertips higher. “Your neck, too. Will you wear a necklace?”

“I-I…” I’ve formed a stutter, because my mind wants to focus on this. Now.Him. “I’m not sure. Eli didn’t mention if we should.”

He practically follows his fingers with the tip of his nose, destroying my sanity and, perhaps, a little of my common sense. “Will you wear your hair up or down?”

“Um… Up, I believe. I think we’re all getting an updo.”

“Perfect to show off your neck.” He brings his palm around, feathering over my chest but not grabbing on. He doesn’t cop a feel when he hasn’t been invited to. But he wraps his fingers around and slowly turns me. “You look pretty, even after a big day at work.” He grins when my tongue darts out to wet my lips. Then he folds his wrist and forces my head back until I look up into his eyes. “Have you eaten?”

“I was going to get something on the way home. I came straight here from work.”

“I know.”

“You…” I frown. “You know? You’ve been following me?”

His smile is addictive. A gift so rarely shared with others. “Not today. But you have that lingering smell of death in your pores. I long ago got used to it. And I think you did, too. But there’s a reason no one except Mayet sits next to you at the bar. And that reason isn’t always because I tell them to fuck off.”

“You call me smelly and expect me to think it’s cute?”

He lowers and rests his forehead on mine. God, I hate it when he does this.Not. “Get dinner with me? Your choice where we go. You choose what we eat.”

“Tim—”

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