Page 52 of The Naga

"Depends."

"On?"

"If it impressed you."

Dustin chuckled, then grabbed my arm, linking his with it. We walked like that all the way to the dining room, and I dared anyone to tease us.

"Oh, Quest texted. He was wondering if you'd like to get drinks with us this evening?"

"The three of us?"

"We can ask Silas and Touya if they'd like to join too," Dustin suggested, and I smiled. The ease with which Dustin had befriended my friends wowed me, and I hoped I'd be able to do the same with his friend.

"What about Keoni?"

"We can't take Keoni to a bar!" Dustin sounded so utterly scandalized that it surprised me, and I shot him a curious look as I grabbed plates for us.

"Why not?"

"Because he's seventeen!" Dustin's voice implied the answer should've been obvious.

"And?" I had a feeling I knew what he was referring to, but I was enjoying the play of emotions on his face as he tried to figure out if I was dumb or if I just didn't care.

"He's not an adult yet, so he can't go to a bar, Khush." Apparently, he'd decided I was dumb. I wasn't sure if I should be happy about that or not. Actually, I knew. I was happy he found it easier to believe that I was dumb than to believe I'd be careless enough to get a kid drunk.

"Actually, that's not true. Centaurs mature at seventeen," I shot back, raising a brow in challenge.

Jacinta, who'd been plating our food for us as usual, glanced from me to Dustin, their brows raised.

"Well, the bar is run by humans, and all they're gonna see is a seventeen-year-oldteen," Dustin challenged back, and I raised my free hand up in surrender.

When we reached our table, the first thing Keoni said was, "Uh, I'm not really interested in going to a bar, but thanks for arguing on my behalf, Khush."

Well, if Dustin needed any other proof of Keoni's maturity, there it was. What human teenager would decline an invitation to a bar?

Dustin

That evening, I dressed to impress in my best jeans and a frilly, white top that gave off an air of innocence, until I turned around and revealed that it was mostly backless with only a thick strap at the bottom where my chest binder went. (I'd bought a special one just to wear with this top.) I was looking forward to seeing Khush's reaction.

I opted for a cute pair of boots I had instead of anything with heels so I could help Khush maneuver around the undoubtedly crowded bar we'd be going to. I'd asked Khush if he'd be comfortable in a place that was known for being loud, dark, and packed. I didn't want him to get claustrophobic, after all. But he'd assured me he'd be okay, and he'd go outside to get a breather if he started feeling trapped.

Putting on some lipstick, I checked my reflection in the mirror before nodding to myself. That should do it.

Grabbing my small purse, I stuffed my phone and wallet inside before leaving the bedroom.

Khush was waiting for me in the living room, and I struck a pose as his eyes scanned me from head to toe.

"So?"

"You look stunning," he said, then sucked in a breath when I did a little twirl for him. "Holy shit, Dustin. Would Quest get mad if we skipped?"

I laughed as I turned back around, then walked over to him. "How about we go out and have a good time, and then when we get home, you can take this off and show me a good time, hmm?"

Instead of answering with words, Khush jerked me forward and smashed his lips into mine, kissing me with a fervor that surprised me. I'd expected some appreciation of course, but I hadn't thought he'd like my outfit this much.

I kissed him back, and thought that maybe skipping out wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Of course, as soon as I thought that, a knock at the door interrupted us, and Silas called out, "Hey, you guys! Stop making out and let's get going!"

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