Chapter 28: Shopping 2
"Wanname pick out some clothes with me?"
Kael asked, voice low and casual as he leaned against the kitchenunter, suds dripping from his hands onto the cracked tiles, the faint steam of lunch still clinging to the air.
Rhea paused mid-scrub, her sponge hovering over the sink, water trickling slow as she turned to face him, amber eyes glinting through damp crimson strands that stuck to her neck from their earlier tumble.
Her brow crease—half-surprised, halfnfused. Then her face split into a grin, wide and unguarded, a burst of light that bounced off the Haven's battered walls. "Hell yeah, I'm in," she said, voice ringing with a thrill that echoed loud, and she tossed the sponge down with a wet slap, suds splashing his arm as she shook off the chore like it burned.
Her grin dimmed fast, though, as her fingers brushed thellar locked around her neck—metalol against her flushed skin—and she stepped closer, amber softening into a plea that carried a hint of play. "Hold on a sec—what about this thing?" she asked, voice dipping low,axing as she tilted her head, damp hair swaying gentle against her cheek.
"You can take it off now, right? Come on, Kael—you know you can trust me. I haven't set a single damn thing on fire lately. I didn't even try to run away, and I've had plenty of chances. I've stuck around, hauled your ass with Freya, played nice when I didn't have to. Ditch this leash already—I'm not some feral stray you've got to tie down." Her words flowed smooth, piling up with earnest charm, and she leaned in closer, her chest grazing his arm, amber eyes wide with a mix of hope and tease, daring him to crack.
Kael's hazel gaze narrowed, a grin tugging his lips as he dried his hands on a rag, the rough fabric snagging on his knuckles while he held her stare. "Trust's a heavy ask, Rhea," he said, voice steady but threaded with doubt, stepping back just enough to break her heat. "You're still a wildfire—one stray ember from torching my whole setup. I'm not buying the tame act yet,llar's staying put."
He turned to a drawer, rummaging with a clatter, and pulled out a red scarf—frayed at the ends—a faded cap, and a thin mask, dropping them onto theunter with a soft thud that punctuated his words. "Wear these instead. Keeps your face off the radar, hides thatllar—nobody'll peg you out there."
Rhea's pout flared instant, lips pursing full as she glared at the pile, hands planting firm on her hips, the t-shirt riding up to flash a sliver of skin that caught his eye again. "You're joking—I'm not putting on that garbage," she snapped, voice sharp with defiance, amber sparking hot.
He stepped closer, grin sharpening as he loomed over her, the rag dangling loose from his grip while his shadow fell across her. "You're wanted Rhea—can't risk you lighting up the streets with rgnition. Gear up, or I lock you in your room and go shop alone... So tell—which one is it?."