Page 45 of Monster's Pet

“The things that girl can do with fabric,” Lilia commented in awe as she entered the room.

“Do you need help getting ready?” I asked her.

“No, don’t worry about me. Aiden’s waiting for you in the common room. Go give that boy a heart attack.” Lilia cackled.

I grinned at her and Hazel, who had followed her in. “What about you?” I asked our third roommate.

Hazel waved me on. “I’m good. Una made me a simple sheath dress in green.”

“Go on,” they both urged me at the same time.

I slipped out the door, but only got a few steps before slender arms wrapped around me in a hug from behind.

“I know you did this, somehow,” Rhiannon’s voice said.

I turned in her arms and returned her hug. “You deserve it.”

“It’s overwhelming,” she said, pulling back and wiping a tear from her cheek.

“People are grateful you helped them with their familiars. I just... reminded them.” I smiled at her. “Enjoy your night in.”

“I have so many books to choose from!” she exclaimed, almost bewildered. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to make it through the stack!”

I laughed. “Welcome to normal life.”

“You look beautiful,” she said suddenly, taking me in fully. “Have a great night.”

“I will.”

The length of the hallway had never seemed so long. I could see Aiden sitting in one of the chairs, rubbing his hand on his knee. He hadn’t seen me yet, so I could study him unaware.

He looked handsome in a red velvet suit coat and black shirt and pants. His tie was pink, which worked well with his complexion.

“We match,” I said, once I was within earshot.

Aiden looked up, his jaw dropping as he took me in. He opened and closed his mouth a couple times, no sound escaping. “Gorgeous,” he finally said, his voice rasping over the word.

“Thank you.” I spun for him, my skirts billowing around me. “And thank you for helping to make Rhiannon’s day special.”

“Anything,” he muttered nonsensically. He got to his feet and took my hand, spinning me again. “Wanna skip dinner?”

I laughed. “Are you seriously asking me if I want to miss eating food?”

“Yeah, I guess not.” He smiled sheepishly. “How fast can you eat?”

I slapped his chest lightly. “Behave. We’re going to have a nice dinner with our friends, dance to a couple songs, andthenwe can slip away and have wild passionate monkey sex.”

Bruce coughed and Clarissa whooped.

“Monkey sex?” Aiden asked, chuckling.

“I don’t know. It just came out.” I blushed slightly. “You know what I mean.”

“I do.” His fingers trailed down my bare upper back over the dragon tattoo, sending tingles throughout my body.

“Everybody ready?” I asked to distract myself from his hands on my body.

“Just waiting on Lilia and Hazel,” Clarissa replied.

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