“You’re a sight for sore eyes, big guy.” I said laughing and trying to wipe my damp eyes without being caught. Of course as I turned my head to the side to use my sleeve I couldn’t help but notice Draven’s eyes on me, watching my every move with great interest. He gave me a small smile at my reaction to seeing my old bodyguard once again. I gave him a shy smile before mouthing the words ‘Thank you’ at him, to which he nodded his head and mouthed back ‘You’re most welcome’. Of course I blushed but thankfully had the perfect reason to turn my attention away from him.
“I must say little human that I am surprised you have managed to keep yourself out of trouble all these months.” Ragnar said, teasing me which was like old times once again.
“Oi! As shocking as it sounds I am sometimes capable of taking care of myself you know.” I replied crossing my arms and looking up at this seven foot giant with not one ounce of fear making him laugh down at me. At one time this rough looking beast of a demon used to freak the F words out of me but now, well let’s just say that I wasn’t sure some of those massive muscles weren’t filled with marshmallows!
The rest of the night went by without a hitch. Though most surprisingly was how comfortable it all felt. It was a cruel and dangerous thought to allow myself to have but it felt like old times. It also became very clear that trying to sit without being next to Draven wasn’t an option. So after he grabbed my hand, when I was trying to pass him, and quickly yanking me down without a word, I thought it best not to protest and make a scene. Ok, so being honest here… did I want to be away from his side for even a second…? Hell no! But glutton for punishment remember.
I don’t know what was going through his head and if he even realised that given the circumstances shouldn’t he be pushing me away? I mean I was more than thrilled he wasn’t but this didn’t mean I wasn’t spending half of the evening confused as pumpkin in a pie…and just like my analogy, it didn’t mean I didn’t like the taste, it’s just that I didn’t get it!
“So, off to Italy then, Keira?” Sophia asked just as she was pouring another drink from the shiniest silver champagne bottle I had ever seen. It was only when it was on its way round to me that I read the label as Dom Perignon and I gulped thinking Christ only knew how much that cost per swallow.
“Keira?” I heard my name being called and I heard Draven chuckle next to me as he no doubt saw the look on my face as I followed the bottle around the tent. I felt a bit like a magpie attracted to something shiny but given that the bottle looked like it was silver plated I could only look on in awe.
“It’s Dom Perignon Jeroboam White Gold and a 1998 Vintage, you should try some.” Draven whispered with his lips at my ear. Bloody Hell, but I was sure he even licked them first! How on earth was I supposed to sit here and take this kind of attention from Draven without my heart stopping? Then he reached out and found my hand that held onto my champagne flute in something akin to a death grip.
His fingers artfully closed over mine and he extended my arm out for our server to fill my glass. I had to wonder what he thought when my hand started to tremble in his as there was no way to miss it. Well, if the way his grip tightened on mine was anything to go by, then yeah, he most certainly didn’t miss it. I turned to face him when he winked at me before letting me go finally allowing me to breathe again.
He nodded to my now full glass and I knew he wanted to see what I thought. I took a tentative sip and couldn’t help but moan as the gentle hints of grapefruit and almonds danced along my tongue. I was no wine connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination, hell I bet I could barely even say the word without it sounding funny in my Northern accent, but I knew what I liked and this was freakin awesome!
I looked up to find Draven watching me with a hungry expression. This meant that I had to look away quickly to hide my blush but in doing so noticed how his hands had fisted at his sides enough to be turning his knuckles white.
“Eh…sorry, I guess I missed that…what were you saying?” I asked turning back to Sophia who had called my name yet again.
“Italy with your new Boyfr…”
“Sophia,” Draven warned cutting her off.
“Uh…it’s ok…really, I mean, I guess it was only a matter of time before the elephant walked back into the room…right?” I said, trying to defuse the tension that was mounting between brother and sister. Sophia gave Draven a look I couldn’t place before turning back to me to smile.
“So you were saying.” She prompted again with her hand rolling at the wrist in one of those ‘I am getting impatient gestures’. I squashed down the urge to roll my eyes and cleared my throat instead ready for the awkward bit of the evening that was obviously going to happen at some point.