Page 110 of Magical Academy for Delinquents
“Hello, Sleeping Beauty,” I teased. “Why aren’t you dressed? I know I didn’t wear you out last night. So, what gives?”
Z turned, abandoning his sneakers. When he saw me, his face lit up. But not in his normal dirty, teasing style. He gave me a smile full of warmth that slid down inside my chest like melted butter. He walked over, his planting his bare feet in front of me. “I’m jealous that Gray gets to see you in a dress,” he said before pressing his lips softly against mine.
“You could see me in less than that if you’d give in,” I needled him. Evan and Malcolm had been more than eager last night, when I’d spent alone time with each of them.
He pulled back and tilted his head. “I know. But I’ve been thinking. And I’ve decided I want the girly ‘wooed’ thing. I want you to wine and dine me and take me on dates and send me flowers …”
“Are you serious?” I couldn’t tell. Z was so full of jokes and pranks and absolute playfulness. But his tone didn’t sound playful.
He shrugged shyly as he stared at the ground. “Yeah. When you yelled at me … you know after the stink bomb thing …”
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t like it. People always yell at me. I’m always halfway in trouble. But when you were mad at me, I didn’t like it.”
I shook my head. “What?”
Z licked his lips. “It’s ‘cause I care what you think of me. I don’t like you thinking bad things about me. I’ve decided no dirty friends with you. I wanna try the relationship thing.”
The apocalypse happened. And I missed it. There was no way Z, dirty-flirty friend was actually saying this for real. Except, he was. “I already fell for this once.”
“I’m serious.” His face was stark. Pale.
“Even when you know there are other guys …?”
He met my eyes. “Yeah.”
My cheeks heated at the look in his eyes. But my mind was overwhelmed. I punched his chest. “This is not the day to drop this on me, Z!”
“Sorry,” he stepped back.
But I couldn’t leave things like that. I couldn’t leave Z feeling vulnerable, couldn’t stand the hurt look in his eyes. I scooped my arms around his waist and tugged him back into me. “Oh, no you don’t, Zavier Kieltyka. After this job, I’m gonna woo you so good your head’s gonna spin!”
He laughed. “Which head? Because let me tell you, the lower one is much more flexible.”
I squeezed him as I chuckled. “There’s that foul mouth I’ve come to love.” I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed him.
“Why today, Z?”
He shrugged. “Well, you’ve been fixated on this job for so long. It’s been your life’s purpose. After you achieve it … you’re gonna need a new one.”
I tossed my head back and laughed. “Oh, my fucking God!”
“What better purpose than pursuing me?” Z couldn’t help himself.
I poked him in the stomach repeatedly, jabbing him for all I was worth. “You are so arrogant!” But I didn’t mean it.
Z captured my fingers and brought them to his mouth. He kissed my fingertips. “You love it.”
I did. My smile proved it.
Reluctantly, after the moment passed, reality came back. I pulled my hand back. “I’m not gonna see you until we’re in the trees. You be careful tonight.”
He bopped me on the nose. “You better worry about yourself, short stack. And I know it will be tempting, but please resist spending all evening googling presents for me.”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “I’ll try. Where’s Evan?”
“Went to help Malcolm with deliveries. Still don’t know how they got on the list of suppliers for the ball.”
