“Why don’t you sit over here, the heater is under the table, so it will dry you off,” she points to a small table for two by the wall.
“Thanks, can we have two peanut butter bacon sandwiches and some teas please?” I ask, seeing Dagan glare at me from the corner of my eye.
“Perfect, I will get right on that,” she says, writing the order down on a notepad and walking off.
“I’m not eating that,” Dagan says as we walk over to the table.
“Come on, you have to try it. Fair enough if you don’t like it, but trying new things is fun,” I say, and he shakes his head at me as he slides into his seat opposite mine. I glance around seeing the empty deli, and out the window where it is still pounding down with rain. Thank god Dagan parked the bike in the car park opposite the gym, so it won’t be wet when we get to it.
“I’m not leaving here until that stops,” I say, and Dagan looks at the rain outside briefly before turning back to me.
“It’s likely just a shower, and will be over soon,” he says. The lady brings our drinks and food over a few minutes later, placing them onto the table. I practically drool at the sight of my favourite sandwich. It’s been so long since I’ve had one of these. I pick it up, taking one big bite, trying not to moan out loud at the amazing taste.
“I know what to buy you if I piss you off,” he comments, making me chuckle.
“When, when you piss me off. Now man up and try yours,” I nod my head at his plate. He narrows his eyes at me as he picks the sandwich up. He sniffs it before taking a bite, and I watch like it’s almost in slow motion.
“So…” I ask as he puts the sandwich down.
“It’s okay…” he says, and I laugh.
“You like it! You just won’t admit that I’m right,” I say, raising an eyebrow.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” he says with a grin and picks up his sandwich. He takes a big bite, and I try not to laugh. Stubborn dragon.
Chapter Thirteen
Isola
This is a bad idea, such a bad idea, Issy,” I say to myself, smoothing down the tight red dress. Pushing my curly hair over my shoulder, I stare at myself in the mirror. I glance at the clock on the wall, seeing it’s nearly seven, and time for my date with Korbin. I’m kind of hoping the red dress I bought will jog his memory of the mating ceremony. I’m running out of ideas on how to make the guys remember me, and that’s not good. The more time I spend away from Dragca, the more I have no idea what’s going on. I keep thinking about the seers, wondering how I’m going to convince them that fighting for me and protecting me is a good idea. How I’m going to convince anyone to help me get the throne back. I still jump a little when a knock sounds at my door, even though I’m expecting it. I walk over, picking up my leather jacket hanging on the back of the door before opening it.
“Wow,” Korbin mutters as I just stare at him, speechless at how amazing he looks. Korbin’s hair is styled a little, making his eyes pop, and wearing a blue shirt, black trousers, with a long black coat.
“Oh snap,” I say, and then shake my head as my cheeks burn. “That was really lame. You look good, is what I meant to say,” I blurt out. He laughs, stepping closer.
“You’re cute when you’re nervous, Issy,” he tells me, and I chuckle.
“Cute and weird, you sure you want to take me out?” I ask.
“Certain,” he grins seductively.
“So…where are we going?” I ask, as he hasn’t told me a thing about this date. Korbin clears his throat, holding his hand out for me. I slide my hand into his, feeling the roughness of it, from his training I expect.
“It’s a ten-minute drive, and no I’m not telling you where we are going as it’s a surprise,” he says, leading me down the corridor, and still holding my hand. We’re walking to the door, when someone clears their throat, and I turn around to see Dagan leaning against the wall. His eyes drift down my dress, and feel like they are burning my skin with every part they touch until he looks up.
“Have a good night,” he says gruffly, his hands tensely held in fists at his sides. We trained all day, and something seems to have changed between us. Like it has been changing with Elias, like it’s changing with Korbin. I don’t see them as just friends, and when I’m with them, I forget the curse. I forget who I am and wish we were just normal people who could be together without any danger.
“We will,” Korbin answers when I don’t speak, opening the front door.
“Bye Dagan,” I say, and he nods tensely before I turn around and walk outside. It’s lit up by the solar lights attached to the house and the ones running down the sides of the driveway. Parked up is a black car, which Korbin unlocks with his keys.
“It’s a Vauxhall Antara, we got it today. What do you think?” he asks.
“That I’m clueless about cars, but it’s nice?” I say, making him laugh as he opens my door for me. I get in, and he shuts the door as I pull my seatbelt on, and wait for him to get in and do the same.
“Are you really not going to tell me what you have planned?” I ask him, and he winks at me as he starts the car.
“Don’t you trust me, doll?”
“Fine,” I pout, rolling my eyes at him, and making him laugh. Korbin turns the radio on, and to my surprise, starts singing along with the lyrics of the Taylor Swift song.
“Look what you’ve made me do,” he sings as I just sit watching him with wide eyes.
“What?” he asks, finally noticing me.
“I didn’t have you for a Tay-Tay fan,” I grin as he shrugs.
“I like to sing, it’s meant to be good for you. You should try it,” he suggests teasingly. I like this playful side of him, he is usually so serious and grumpy. Well not as grumpy as Eli and Dagan, but still.
“I don’t sing, and the world can thank me for that one at any time,” I say, making him laugh.
“Come on, I won’t tell,” he winks and I chuckle, still not singing with him. He just carries on singing like nothing happened, without a care in the world. I gently start humming along after a while, and he reaches over, taking my hand in his for the rest of the drive. I know it’s only holding my hand, but it sends little warm feelings straight through to my heart. Feelings that I need to ignore in order to get through tonight. I can’t really date him. It’s just hard to remember that when Korbin is like this with me, winning me over with every damn look from his deep, sexy green eyes.
“Here we are,” he pulls up to the beach port, a place I’ve never really been in all my years of living here. I give him a questioning look as we get out the car, and walk down the pier. When the deck with five large yachts tied up comes into view, and one that is lit up with a man waiting at the end, I have a good idea what the date is.
“A yacht date?” I ask and he nods, looking nervous.
“I love it, I haven’t actually been on one before,” I say, and he looks relieved as he lifts our joined hands, gently kissing my knuckles. I end up blushing at the sweet movement. Damn this night is going to be harder than I thought.
“I’ve rented it for the night,” he explains as we near the human waiting by the walkway to the yacht. The human has a suit on, dark hair and a serious expression.
“Mr Dragoali and Miss Dragice I presume?” he asks, and Korbin offers him a hand to shake.
“Lovely to meet you, Mr Gregory,” he says.
“Come on board, I will be steering my yacht for the night but you won’t see me, you have it all to yourselves. So, lovely to see such a happy young couple,” he comments and we walk up the ramp. Korbin slides an arm around my waist.
“One more thing, the music speakers are playing up. They might turn on and off, but let me know if it becomes a problem, and I will switch them off altogether,” he tells us.