Siren's Fall [Siren's Mark: Book 2]

Chapter 46

ℤ𝕒𝕟𝕖

Where does she find these dresses? Is there a special shop for boyfriend-torturing garments?

"Wow," I say, my eyes roaming across the landscape of her body. "This dress is something else."

That's a mild way of putting it.

"You saw the dress before," she says, batting her lashes as her cheeks flush pink.

As if seeing this dress on a hanger could compare to seeing it hugging her curves, dipping at the spot between her breasts to flaunt her cleavage, the hem just lower than scandalous.

"I didn't see it on you. Probably a good thing, too, as we never would've made it out of the house."

I lick my lips as I consider ditching the party entirely, but that would probably not go over well with the group.

Kami suggests we find a table, so we make our way through a sea of people to a booth beside the stage. Alek and David come by to welcome us to the party before shuffling off to tend to their other guests.

Somewhat predictably, Kieran's eyes remain glued to the shirtless man in tights performing acrobatics above the stage. Nothing says 'Kieran's Type' quite like being already half-undressed.

"Look at him, Z-Man," he says. "His muscles have muscles. That man was sculpted by the gods. It would be a crime for me to not at least attempt to fuck that beautiful creature."

"You're a poet," I tease.

"You guys want drinks? I mean, other than champagne? I'm heading to the bar to grab something a little more demon-friendly."

"Beer, whatever's good. Cheers."

"I'm good," Ava says. Kami declines and excuses herself to mingle with the crowd.

As they leave, my hands migrate to Ava's waist, as if on autopilot. I lift her onto my lap as my gaze traces the lines of the dress from her cleavage to her collarbone.

"You look incredible tonight, love," I whisper into her ear before lowering my lips to her neck.

This party is wild enough that no one would pay any attention to anything we do in this booth right now.

Fuck—no, behave yourself. You can do this.

"You're not so bad yourself," she says with a giggle. "Is this new or something you already owned in the twenties or something?"

"It's new. The gray houndstooth set that Kieran's wearing is an old one of mine, though. Lent it to him for tonight."

"Why didn't you wear it?"

Because I thought you'd like this better and I wanted to look good for you.

Don't tell her that, you'll sound pathetic.

"Maybe I wanted to look good for my girl," I admit.

She leans into my chest and I feel her heart beat a bit faster. In this moment, it's just Ava and me—and it's perfect.

"Ten minutes," Kieran says, sitting back down and passing me a beer.

"What?" Ava asks.

"Ten minutes 'til that stallion finishes up his routine. I hope he hasn't used up too much energy, 'cause there's more gymnastics in store for him."

"TMI." She twists her mouth into a tight knot.

"Kieran is the human embodiment of TMI," I say, chuckling.