"Thank you," I told the guy as he draped a blanket around my shoulders. I held it closely, tucking my feet underneath.
"No problem. Name's Ace, by the way," He said, extending his hand to me. I shook it.
"Xandria," I replied. Ace stood and pulled off his coat, then started unbuttoning his shirt. My mind was slow, but once his actions clicked, I gasped in protest. His fingers paused.
"What?" He asked me, a quizzical light in his dark brown eyes. I gestured to his body.
"What do you think you're doing, undressing like that in front of me?!" His hands dropped to his sides.
"I was just unbuttoning the collar. It's very tight." He laughed.
"Oh," I said, blushing and looking away. Ace came and sat right next to me; closer than necessary. I didn't move, for fear of being rude, but when he gently tugged the blanket off my shoulders, I squirmed a bit.
"Alexandria..." Ace began.
"Xandria." I corrected in a whisper, my eyes riveted on his.
"Xandria, can I listen to your heartbeat?" I couldn't ignore the fire in his expression. I slowly turned towards him, nodding twice. His arms encircled my waist, squeezing ever so softly, and he bowed his head towards my chest. He pressed his ear to my skin. My breath came somewhat shallowly, but I reminded myself that I didn't want to find a husband.
.... Not yet.
