#16 Bows and Arrows

Adira

“You never said what your idea was earlier?” I asked Zale as we sat together on the small sofa in the sitting room.

“Oh, yeah, that.” He chuckled and I gave him the side eye,

“Yes, that.”

“I may have mentioned to my sisters that you were lacking clothes.” He rubbed the back of his neck guiltily.

“You did not?” I gasped at him, leaning back on the sofa and away from him like he had just slapped me.

“You said the closest looked empty.” He shrugged.

“No, no I did not,” I argued profusely, “What I said was that my clothes looked pathetic. I never said that I needed more clothes.”

“Well…..” Zale drew out the word, “Oops.”

“You’re damn right, oops. You better fix this, Zale.” I jabbed a finger at his chest.

“But, don’t you need more clothes?” He dared to ask and I continued to glare daggers at him.

“What’s wrong with what I wear? Do you have a problem with it?” I barked, “Because I promise you I won’t be wearing dresses and blouses anytime soon.”

“No, no, that’s not what I’m insinuating.” He backtracked quickly.

“You can go shopping with your sisters because I’m sure as shit not.” I ended the discussion sternly, crossing my arms over my chest and sinking back into the couch with a huff of air.

“They are going to kill me.” He mumbled, staring straight ahead.

“That is not my problem.” I replied snarkily.

I caught Zale staring at me from the corner of my eye and my face, despite my better judgment, cracked a smile.

“What if I make them promise to only go to stores you want to go to and give them a time limit?” He bargained, “And I’ll give you my credit card.”

“You think you can buy my forgiveness?” I quired.

“No, I’m prepared to grovel for it.” Zale said, dropping off the couch and kneeling at my legs.

“Seriously?” I was not amused.

“Please, save me from the rafe of my sisters and my stupid assumptions, and go shopping with them for just a few hours. I’m begging you, Kyrre. They will kill me if I go back on a promise of a date with their new sister.” He was damn good at groveling.

“What are you going to do for me if I say yes?” I decided to fight with fire.

I saw a spark in Zale’s eyes that he quickly extinguished.

“I’ll always give you whatever you want, Adira.” He said in a voice that should be sinful.

“That’s a cop out.” I argued and he smirked crookedly at me.

“I promised you a special day tomorrow, I guess I’ll just have to make it extra special if you agree to go with my sisters.” He said,

“When do I have to go?” I asked with a sigh.

“Tomorrow morning? Before our date.” He arched his eyebrow.

“Fine.” I groaned out.

Zale’s face broke out into a grin and he leaned forward on the couch to kiss my forehead.

“I have the best mate.” He cooed, taking my hands and pulling me up from the sofa.

“As if you got to choose me.” I said in a teasing voice, but Zale took it very seriously.

“I would have.” He said, his eyes pinching together.

“You would have chosen a 27-year-old orphan who’s too hard headed, not at all emotional, and the least feminine she-wolf on the planet?” I deadpanned.

“Yes to all of those things,” He said seriously, “But, you left out, impossibly strong, cunning, witty, and much smarter than her equally hard headed dragon mate.” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him,

“Right.” I snorted.

“I’m serious, Adira,” His expression darkened, “Fate pulled us together, but the love that grows between us is a choice.”

“You’re a smooth talker, Ohlson, I’ll give you that.” I cut through the tension with a smirk and Zale’s face lightened into a crooked smile.

“I’ll show you that I’m a man of action, not just words,” He promised, leaning down to nuzzle his face against my neck for a moment, “I should let you sleep. It’s been a long day.” His voice rumbled in his chest.

Zale pulled back and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek before releasing me entirely.

“Do you need anything?” His eyes widened, “Oh, you didn’t get to eat dinner.”

“That’s alright, I wasn’t really that hungry.” I confessed.

“Adria….” His concerned voice trailed off.

“I’m fine, Zale, just tired.” I sighed.

“Okay, well, if you’re sure,” He paused for a moment and I nodded, “I’ll let my sisters know that you’ll join them tomorrow for a few hours. I’m sure they’ll want to leave after breakfast. I’ll make our plans for the afternoon.” He said,

“Okay.” I still wasn’t completely on board with this whole shopping thing, but I would indulge him for the time being.

“Goodnight, Adira.” The way he smiled at me was so unbelievably sexy that I had to look away to keep from blushing.

“Goodnight, Zale.” I muttered.

“Sweet dreams.” He whispered before slipping out of my room and shutting the door.

I sighed loudly and flung myself down on the bed, face first, screaming into the comforter. I flopped back around like a fish out of water and glared at the ceiling for a longtime.

I decided to take a hot shower, changed into some comfortable clothes, and crawled into bed after an impossibly long day.