Luz
The first thing I notice when I step off of the elevator is Liam and Mason both leaning against the wall with their arms crossed casually. Even if they are trying to appear relaxed there’s a cloak of tension in the air.
Not to mention, if they’re both here it’s clearly not a date. But how can I complain when they both greet me with eager smiles. Just the way they look at me, hungry and intense, has me feeling both lucky and a little like their next meal.
“Luz, you came,” Liam greets me. I give him a wave and flash Mason a shy smile. He’s harder to read than Liam, who can’t hide his emotions to save his life.
“Where are we going?” I ask excitedly, forgetting about my nerves now that I have the prospect of shopping and fun in front of me. Everything so far has been information overload and fighting to understand a world that shouldn’t exist. I’m in dire need of good coffee and the real world.
“I was thinking London,” Mason says with a half grin. “Have you been?”
“I haven’t, but I’m fucking ready for it. Let’s do it!” I say excitedly as Liam calls a portal for us. Liam holds out his elbow for me and I link my arm through his. He looks like I handed him the moon and I shake my head. Why do I feel like this is some battle for my attention?
We step through the portal and into a dressing room. We’re squished together like sardines, my ass pressing into Mason’s body; and from the bulge pressing into me, he likes it.
“Shit, sorry,” I hiss and try to shove myself into the corner only to end up right in Liam’s face. Of course the brat just grins down at me before his eyes darken, his gaze dropping to my lips.
For a brief moment I almost lean forward, but snap myself out of it as Mason attempts to open the door. Before I can overthink it I tease my lips over Liam’s and sneak out before he can react. A small groan fills the air and I don’t bother to hide my laughter as Mason gives me a curious glance.
“Hey, only one person at a time!” A lady yells from a nearby cash register.
“Sorry, we didn’t realize,” I say before I grab Mason’s hand, running out of the store while giggling. I look behind me to see Liam only a step behind us, giving me a glare at leaving him behind.
“Well, I’m having fun already,” I joke as we step out of the store and into the main area of the mall. Mason chuckles next to me and meets my eyes for a moment. That tug is in my chest again, as if trying to force me closer, but I ignore it and look anywhere but him, dropping his hand. As soon as I let go, I regret it. For some reason his touch is comforting to me.
“Where to first, my lady?” Liam asks, offering his arm again. I link my arm through his and lead my poor shopping partners to the closest craft store.
I pick out silk fabric in vibrant pinks, purples, and blues. Bringing them all up to the counter, I ask the sweet lady behind the register for ten yards of each.
“What the hell are you going to use this much fabric for?” Mason asks in a confused tone.
“My room is a bit too white for my liking, since apparently reapers are afraid of colors.” Liam huffs out a laugh at my words.
“It always surprised me that reapers just settled into this life and never looked back. They accept everything as it is, no questions asked. You are definitely a different kind of reaper,” Liam says, the last part almost reverent. I freeze at the comment.
“What do you mean ‘different kind of reaper’?” My voice comes out shaky, and I hate showing my nerves like that.Smooth, Luz.
“I just meant you weren’t afraid to bring personality into this life.” Liam raises an eyebrow at my change in mood.
“What did you think he meant?” Mason asks, studying my face.
“Arianna said my runes were different, I thought you were talking about that,” I whisper quickly as the saleswoman brings over my giant stack of fabric. Mason and Liam continue to stare at me in a way that lets me know this conversation isn’t over, but I try my best to ignore them and focus on taking the large stack of colorful silks.
After a quick thanks to the worker, I pass my fabric off to Liam before pulling the guys through the aisles for a few more supplies I might need before checking out.
“Maybe I should have done this last, since now we have to lug it all around with us.” I say with a frown as I look at the five shopping bags it took to fit all of my purchases from just this one store.
“We have no intention of carrying this around, Luz,” Liam says while exchanging a conspiratorial look with Mason.Do they have to look so sexy all the time?
Mason pulls us into the stairwell and waits in the corner. Tension rises between us at the close contact and we garner a few strange stares, but I can’t pull away from him. My body knows what it wants even as my mind protests.
When the coast is clear, Mason gives me a wink before disappearing into thin air. A second later he’s back, bags gone. There’s a shimmer in the air like a portal, but it’s different from the one we traveled in earlier.
“Where did my stuff go?” I can’t help but ask.
“It’s in our penthouse. We’re in the same building so we can bring it down to your room when we get back,” he says with a cocky half grin. He damn well knows I’m impressed and the longer we’re spending together, the easier it is to be around him… to look at him. And from the way I catch his stray glances and quick touches, I know he feels it too.
“Just one more girly store?” I beg with my best puppy dog eyes. They both groan but nod in agreement and I react without thinking, hugging them both and surprising us all.