Page 96 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“Thanks.” Her shoulders squared. “So … will we both be standing?”
Rising, Quen helped her to her feet. She settled immediately into an attentive, expectant posture, and for the first time, he didn’t take her stance for granted. Kimiko moved well—fluid, fluent. “You’ve been doing this all along.”
The answering tilt of her chin was perfect.
“I didn’t even notice,” he admitted abashedly. Wasthiswhy the Nightspangle pack had singled her out? Was it why he’d felt he could trust her?
“I’ll consider that a compliment.” She offered him her palms. “Even so, a lesson in canine nuance would be much appreciated.”
His pulse quickened. “May I touch?”
She acquiesced without a word.
Heart light, he coached her through three greetings that displayed varying degrees of affection, the chaste caress of contrition, and a grateful kiss that lost its way. Kimiko had taken inspiration from romance lore, and she’d come asking for courteous intimacies. His blood was already singing. His awareness blurred at the edges.
Edge’s tail began a steady thump.
Flay sneezed. Pointedly.Not the time for trysting, pup.
Quen reluctantly pulled away, easing back a step.
Kimiko touched her lips. “Are you sure that was justthank you?”
“No.” His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. “Unless it was, ‘Yes, thank you. More, please.’”
“Should I consider that a compliment, too?”
“Please do.” It was better than he deserved. Here was willingness and trust, but he could feel her studious distraction. She wanted to understand the forms. He needed to teach without taking.
Kimiko asked, “What am I supposed to do with my hands?”
Eloquence brightened, for he craved her touch. Taking her wrists, he guided her hands through a variety of simple messages and cues. As he’d discovered with Tenma, it was difficult to put the subtle significances into words.
“Anotherkind of request?” Kimiko curved her fingers as he’d done.
“No, a reiteration, usually following a refusal. I call it the pudding please.” Quen smiled at her bafflement. “Ever adores sweets, especially milk pudding. This is how he begs for a second serving.”
Understanding dawned, and Kimiko’s fingers glided along his jawline, sure as her meaning. “Is there a third level for cheeky beggars?”
“Although I cannot remember, Uncle Laud swears I perfected ten degrees ofpleasewhen I was a pup.”
Kimiko was smiling again, encouraging him with her interest. “What did you beg for?”
“A pet.”
“Like a kitten?”
He huffed. “Nothing so easily acquired. I wanted a pet constellation. And to tame the north wind. And I begged for a briner tank.”
“Stories from Amaranthine lore.” Her gaze turned inward as she stroked his cheek. “I used to want to go on quests—to find the hidden groves, to uncover a clutch of dragon eggs, to rescue a fallen star.”
Quen leaned into her touch. “So you’re an adventurer at heart?”
“No. Not really.” Kimiko retreated, her hands dropping to her sides. “I loved my grandfather, and I loved his stories. It’s my job to preserve them, not pursue them.”
“Then it’s a good thing that you’ve chosen to court me with kisses rather than gifts.” His fingers wheedled lightly along her jaw, and he added a pudding plea. “Otherwise, I may have sent you chasing after Impressions to impress me.”
“Is that how you refuse a suitor, by giving them an impossible task?”
