Page 11 of Lucius

“We’d love to if there’s space,” he said.

A look passed between Jess and Lucius, and Sidney wasn’t sure what it meant, but Jess smiled and nodded, then said, “You bet. Would you like to see behind the scenes before you find a seat?”

“That would be awesome,” Sidney said. “Can I take pictures? I’d love to sketch the birds, but there’s probably not enough time.”

“You draw? That’s awesome. Take whatever pictures you’d like!”

Jess took them to the bird cages and talked about each of the birds. Sidney snapped pictures of each one, loving the bright colors of the scarlet macaw and the unique condor, who looked very suspicious thanks to his bald head and dark eyes.

Lucius was quiet next to her, watching as she took pictures and asked questions of Jess, who was very sweet and knowledgeable.

Sidney couldn’t help but sneak peeks at Lucius.

He was so freaking sexy. She didn’t think she’d ever seen a sexier guy in her life. And that he also seemed interested in her? Well, that was downright amazing.

When she’d seen all the birds and taken tons of pictures, they sat in on the thirty-minute show and she got a great picture of the macaw flying over the audience.

“This is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen,” she whispered to Lucius.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

She sketched quietly for a few minutes as Jess and Maggie talked about the macaw that was named Zephyr, and was apermanent resident of the sanctuary after being injured and brought to them for treatment.

When the show was over, they headed out of the sanctuary. As she tucked her sketchbook into her bag, she said, “Have you watched the show often?”

“Just when it first opened,” he said. “I never paid much attention to the birds, but seeing them through your eyes while you took pictures and sketched Zephyr gave me a new appreciation for them.”

She smiled at him. They stopped at the carousel where she took a few pictures of the horses when they’d stopped turning, and then they journeyed to the petting zoo.

“Don’t want to take pictures here?” he asked as he leaned on the top rail of the fence that enclosed the small animals.

“I think I’d like to live in the moment for now and not be on my phone taking pictures,” she said. “Maybe I can come back another time and sketch the babies. That little goat is super cute.”

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the rail, and then he relaxed and flashed her another sweet smile.

She wasnotmelting into a puddle every time he smiled at her.

“Would you like company? When you come back?”

“I’d love it.”

He glanced at his watch and said, “We should hustle back so you can go on the tour.”

“I can’t believe how fast the time’s gone,” she said. “I’m really excited to see the animals. Thank you so much for arranging this for me.”

“Absolutely,” he said. “It’s my pleasure.”

She liked that word.Pleasure.

It made her think about dark rooms and beds.

And could Lucius smell any better?

He smelled like he wore an expensive cologne, the kind that was sandalwood and spices.

She shivered as she caught another whiff of his cologne.

It should be illegal for a guy to smell so good.

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