21. Kadia
What the fuck is happening to me? I went from a virgin to a hoe in less than a few days after coming here.
I say give in to temptation. It’s not like Arlo can’t create a leafy shield around us so no one can see.
I would rather not have that kind of reputation, thank you very much.
You are kind of the Queen of the Island. I don’t think it’ll matter as much as you think.
Kaida cut off her dragon’s ability to say anything further. She did not need encouragement. Kaida felt herself throbbing as Arlo’s black hair fell in front of his eyes, his heated gaze still on her. He gave her a little wink before looking down at his menu, making Kaida groan loud enough for Arlo to hear.
And most likely everyone else in the damn restaurant since they all have super hearing like us.
"I’d think about something that won’t make the scent of your arousal fill the room there, sweetheart."
"I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just looking at the menu to decide on what I should eat." Kaida’s stomach growled like it did back at the house. "Especially since my stomach seems to be an animal on its own. Damn...I’ve never heard it growl that loud before."
Arlo looked at her for a moment and made a face. She watched him glance at the area where the waiters were placing orders, and one met his gaze. Arlo waved them over, and the guy quickly approached the table. The lightness of his blonde hair made it look like he was wearing a halo, his eyes were pools of blue as dark as the ocean, and his thin lips curled into a smile as he reached them. There was something about this guy that rubbed Kaida the wrong way. She couldn’t put her finger on it, though.
"What can I get you two? Is there a starter in which you are interested?"
"Yes, one of every appetizer to start. I’d say put that in now as we decide on the main course," Arlo responded without looking up from the menu.
Arlo then glanced at Kaida; his heated gaze was completely gone. Instead, he looked at her for reassurance that he ordered right.
"That sounds great," Kaida said to him with her eyes semi-wide.
Arlo looked up at the guy and smiled. "You heard the lady. Thank you. We will look over the menu some more to decide."
After he left, Arlo went through the menu with Kaida. He mentioned his favorite was seafood tacos because there were three diverse kinds of proteins in one taco. It could be any three of nine choices, so someone can change it up whenever they order it. It had a corn relish with white cheese and a spicy sauce. The mixture of flavors alone would set her taste buds on fire and make her want more. Kaida wasn’t sure about it, so she continued through the rest of the menu. She felt like she needed something hardier, so he suggested a steak rolled up in a tortilla with beans, rice, and a green peppered sauce. That sounded more up her alley with the level of hunger she felt.
The waiter didn’t return until the five appetizers arrived. There were some fried chips with salsa, Kaida ate bites of everything, testing out each one to find the one she liked the most. She ended up settling on some fried chicken pieces covered in pepper sauce. She nibbled at the others while getting to know Arlo.
"So, I have to ask. What is your favorite thing about living on the island?"
There was something about that question that could tell Kaida everything she needed to know about him. There were so many ways he could answer that question. If he were someone she could get along with well, his answer would be nothing of what she expected.
"Honestly? The community." Arlo smiled while he looked around the room. "I know us dragons grew up here. We know the ins and outs and everything we need to know to have a comfortable life here. Anyone forced to come here must rely on us to help them through everything they dealt with before coming here and even how to restart their lives. So many people are dropped here and end up spending the rest of their days on this rock because their mates never return. Watching everyone step up and help the newcomers through it all is awesome to watch. It isn’t just the dragons who help, either. People like your friends help out every single person who comes here. They all positioned themselves to be those people in the short few months they’ve come here. Others just offer knowledge or a job. It’s kind of wholesome to know that I am in a place where it doesn’t matter what kind of supernatural you are. Here you are just another person who became part of our community against their will but eventually sees how it is a blessing."
Kaida smiled at Arlo, glowing with each passing second of his speech. His answer was exactly what she was hoping to hear from him.
"I like that. I have noticed the girls’ involvement with the community and enjoyed that about them."
"Four of the most powerful on the island, too. Kind of comical that you ended up friends with them."
Kaida lifted an eyebrow at him. "Meaning?"
"It’s like you five found each other because you were all drawn to each other’s power. It’s not coincidental that you guys are all friends."
It was something about that sentence that made Kaida feel a little uneasy. Did Arlo like the fact that she was friends with the girls, or did he hate it?
"The Great Dragon works in mysterious ways."
Kaida felt like her response would convey what she felt. Arlo’s face seemed to register that his comment made her feel some type of way. Arlo bowed his head and cleared his throat.
"I just meant that, with this dark mist coming here and the sky getting all wonky, the fact that you five are friends when you all are extremely powerful and special seems to be part of a plan. You’re right, The Great Dragon does work in mysterious ways. Look at how you’re the first from the mainland of dragons to be rejected in a while. You meet those four on the beach the moment you land here. Then, this business with the mist and your dragon being the one who can stop it. It isn’t coincidental. The Great Dragon has a plan. I just wish I knew what it was."
"By the way, I like the fact that you are friends with them. If we can’t protect you, or can’t be there for you in a time of need, they sure as hell can and will. It would drive us all nuts if something happened to you and none of us were there for you. I don’t think that’ll happen because those girls are with you when we aren’t. It’s like a safety net we didn’t know we needed."
Kaida stared at Arlo’s confession. She searched for the bond between them as she felt it open up. Everything Arlo told her rang true through their bond.
"Thank you for explaining what you meant."
"I felt it, how it made you feel when I said it wasn’t coincidental. I knew I needed to clarify. The last thing I want is for you to think I don’t want you to have friends or to be around those girls."
Kaida smiled at him. "I wouldn’t stop being their friend just because you told me not to be."
"Good. That’s not how a partnership works, Sweetheart. Don’t let any of us tell you who you can and cannot hang out with. If we do, kick the shit out of us."
The sound of Kaida’s laugh filled the room. That was the best thing she’d heard all day.
"Don’t worry, I will." She gave him a wink, making him laugh.
The rest of the evening was spent talking about other small things to get to know one another. There were moments of sharing things they loved, things they didn’t like, things from their childhood, and even making jokes. Before they knew it, the waiter came over and told them that the kitchen was closing. Arlo paid for their meals, and they walked home.
During the walk, Arlo walked next to her. She could feel the heat from his body rolling off him from how close he was to her. The air was chilly, and as it blew through the trees and against her skin, Kaida could feel the bumps rising from the chill. Kaida rubbed her hands against her arms, hoping the friction would heat her up. Arlo took the queue and put his arm around her.
"My magic is useless to warm you up, or I’d use that."
Kaida pressed against him, and his warmth spread to her. "This works just fine. Thank you."
Arlo’s hand brushed against her skin, and Kaida felt the static spread through her entire body. She moaned at the sensation, knowing it was another sign that Arlo was her mate. Arlo stopped walking and hugged her closer to his side. Kaida could sense through the bond that he was struggling with the emotions he felt. Kaida wanted to ask why, but Arlo started walking again. The bond was closed off like it was before their conversations at dinner.
"Let’s get you home. We don’t need you getting grouchy again."
Kaida looked up at him and narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"
"Any time my mom was hungry or cold, she was grouchy. I fed you so hunger cannot make you a grouch. But now you feel like sandpaper with all your goose pimples, so the cold can certainly change that."
"You calling me a grouch?"
"Nope. And I will ensure you don’t turn into one before we return to the house. If I return you to Beckett in a worse mood than when we left, he will have my ass."
Kaida wanted to say something else but chose not to. It felt like it was the wrong time to push anything further. She didn’t want to ruin their night because it was spectacular until she felt him close himself off to her.
What the hell just happened?