Steam curled in tendrils from the rolled-up cone of newspaper my fish and chips were nestled inside. I ducked my fingers inside and snatched up a piping-hot chip, blowing a stream of air over it before biting into the crunchy-soft potato, chewing and swallowing the tasty morsel.

Varen had taken me to the opposite side of the lake where Ascendria was settled, the ribbon of skyscrapers glowing with vibrant light like a cluster of diamonds. This side of the lake was quieter and more rugged, but no less beautiful than the wealthy city, with a charming park curving around the pebbled shore, moored boats bobbing up and down gently on the dark waters. We'd arrived a few hours ago, meandering beneath the golden lamplights that hugged the path edging the foreshore. We'd lost ourselves in conversation for so long that I'd forgotten all about food until my stomach rumbled and Varen laughed. We'd headed to the food trucks lining the parking area and decided on something greasy and easy. Fish and Chips.

The heir to Lower House Crowther was chatting up a storm. What I was beginning to realize about the big, burly brute with the gloriously handsome face and surly attitude, was beneath it all, he was boyishly enthusiastic about the people he cared about. And he could talk endlessly about his passions. He was utterly adorable with his curiosity about me too.

And here we were out on our fourth date.

Fourth. Freaking. Date!

Every night he took me out to somewhere new and exciting, and first thing the next morning before the sun rose, we met out in the Hemmlok Forest, whereupon, just before we parted ways he'd ask to see me that evening.

Tonight we were here to see the light show play out over the lake. I loved that he was taking me out on these casual dates stripped of fuss, but ever so romantic. We kept well away from any kind of talk about our future. It was safer to stick to the here and now. If I could take anything with me into the future, when we'd eventually part ways, were these lovely, thoughtful dates. I'd treasure them forever.

So as we strolled, we shared our favorite foods and passions and places we'd visited.

Vegetables we hated seeing on our plates.

I wasn't particularly fond of radishes.

And he'd scrunched his nose up at Silverbeet.

If we could have one meal and one meal only.

It had taken an age to narrow mine down to Běijīng kǎoyā. Just thinking about Peking Duck had my mouth watering.

Varen couldn't decide and simply loved anything his Mamãe cooked.

TV shows and movies.

Come on, who doesn't love Magnum P.I.?!

He admitted to not watching much TV at all. But his favorite movie this year was Misery. Then he proceeded to tell me all the things Kathy Bates should have done to ensure Paul Sheldon never escaped. And they were way worse than smashing in his ankles with a sledgehammer.

The bands we liked.

Def Leppard forever!

While he was more of an Aerosmith guy.

Were we dog or cat people?

Of course, I liked dogs. I had my very own bloodhound!

He preferred cute fluffy cats.

Now both of us were cradling our fish and chip cones and strolling past the pretty boatsheds painted in bright colors towards a jetty. I nudged him with an elbow. "Come on, confess, Mr. Crowther. What's your deepest most irrational fear."

My fingers nudged through the piles of beer-battered fish searching for a curl of flour-dusted calamari lavished with salt and pepper. Dipping it into the smoky cayenne mayonnaise, I popped it into my mouth, sighing as I chewed.

So delicious.

Warmth slid down my throat and nestled inside my stomach.

Varen munched on a chip thoughtfully before giving me a sharp side-eye. "Okay, you can't tell anyone this. But I'm scared shitless of rats." He grimaced and then shuddered. "Fuc—"

My low-slung ponytail ruffled as I whipped around as fast as an asp and gave him the look, stabbing my finger at him in a warning.

Hells, I knew he was trying to cut out his vulgarities, but he needed to try harder.

He gulped, cutting his foul curse off. Then he tried again. "I hate the creepy little things with their beady eyes and their ugly long tails."

A laugh rose up from my chest.

He stopped walking to cock an unamused eyebrow at me.

I gestured to him. "Look at you."

He frowned, glancing down at himself. His voice was a deep rumble. "What about me?"

"Rats are tiny compared to someone like you."

Rats didn't scare me. Yes, they were creepy looking but I could hold my ground and chase them off with a broom.

"I never said it was rational," he barked without any bite.

And that only made me laugh louder and longer.

He recommenced strolling his long leggy stride cutting down the path. "What about you."

I dropped my gaze into my cone, my fingers crinkling the newspaper as I tightened my hold on it. "You know," I said quietly, not wanting to talk about it further.

"Heights," he murmured

I nodded. Great heights terrified me to the point I'd pass out.

"But that's not irrational," he pointed out.

My high heels clipped along the stone path as I tipped my head on the side thinking a bit more. "Running out of cleaning spray."

He blinked. Then burst into a chuckle. "I knew that it would come back to cleaning."

My bottom lip jutted out with irritation and my walk became more of an annoyed stamp. "Do you know what irks me the most? When someone uses the last of the polish but"―freaking―"doesn't mark it down in the supply list. It's so frustrating and wastes valuable time. I'm always having to double-check the supply room to make sure we're on top of all the products we need."

I felt his heavy stare and when I met it, I found lust burning in its violet depths. "You're so fiery when it comes to your job."

I hitched a shoulder, smiling smugly. "Someone needs to be."

We meandered past a few other couples strolling arm in arm, as we headed down the steps to the jetty, water slapping against its wooden posts. Arriving at the very end of the jetty, we looked over the water glistening with moonlight, the sky alight with stars, and across the lake, the city hummed with neon life.

Varen slipped his hand into mine and my heart skipped a beat as he assisted me so I could sit down. This was the first time he'd touched me all night. All freaking night, he'd acted like the perfect gentleman. But I was burning with anticipation of what was going to happen later. When he'd sweep me up in his arms and we'd make out. Maybe here. Maybe up against one of the park's trees where we'd be hidden amongst the folds of leafy boughs, and he'd grind up all against me and kiss me until we had to leave for the night.

He lowered himself to sit beside me, both of us dangling our legs over the side of the rickety jetty. He sat close but not touching. The light show started and huge shafts of colorful light shot up into the night sky, washing it with sunbursts of oranges and reds. Smearing peacock blues and greens across the horizon. The lights pulsed and faded, sweeping side to side, and fanned outward like a ballet.

"Fucking, finally," Varen grouched.

"Varen!" I admonished. "Couldn't you keep it in for just one night?"

He glanced at me askew, a steaming chip poised at his mouth. "You're not complaining when I whisper them into your ear while I'm getting you off, tabby cat."

My cheeks heated with embarrassment. But I had absolutely no argument to make. Yes, I did like those particular words when he dirty-talked me. He knew that any kind of heavy breathing in my ear drove me right to the edge of an orgasm in nanoseconds.

I dipped my fingers into the newspaper cone, biting into a scrummy beer-battered fish. Then licked the greasy salt off my fingers. When I went to pluck out another, Varen leaned over and slid his hand against mine, stealing it from me. The innocent touch sent a hot crackling sensation like fireworks to erupt up my arm. And I swore he bit his lip and a shiver rippled over his burly body. He pouted. "I've finished my own and I'm still hungry."

"Here, finish them off," I said, offering them to him. "I'm done. All I'm doing is stuffing myself."

His nose wrinkled. "There's only a few left," he grumbled.

I huffed a laugh and let him fish the last remaining chips and calamari out, slipping them into his mouth and sighing in contentment as he chewed and swallowed.

Swinging my handbag to my lap, I dug my hand inside and found a little pocket of wet wipes, handing one to Varen. He rolled up our newspaper cones and we exchanged. I put them into my handbag to dispose of later when we passed a trashcan.

He was looking at me really weirdly. "What?" Did I have something on my face?

His thick eyebrows were slanted in bewilderment. "You have wet wipes in your purse? Who does that?"

"Ugh, seriously, who wouldn't? They are so handy. You should carry some in your pocket for all those times you need to wipe your fingers free of blood after you kill one of those crime lords."

His eyes lit up with glee. "I love my job."

"I know you love your job," I grinned.

We watched the light show in companionable silence. And when the lights faded away and it was just the great big expanse of the night sky, I pointed out the constellations. "Ah, Andromeda," I sighed. She was bright tonight.

Varen had leaned in to follow where I was pointing the stars out to him. I tried not to be obvious I was dragging in a delectable whiff of his masculine scent. I almost fanned myself. Oh my gods, he smelled so good. That hint of anise was delicious. And he was so close he could kiss me. If only he angled his face just a little more, he'd be able to press his gorgeous lips against mine.

But he didn't.

Godsdammit.

When was this man going to kiss me tonight?!

I cast a glance over his profile, over the glossy black hair swept across his strong forehead. He was dressed in a suit, and overtop was an expensive woolen jacket, obviously tailor-made for his strapping physique. He was so good-looking clean-shaven, the long unkempt hair gone with a dashing fresh haircut. So utterly handsome. He caught me staring and gave me a flirty look and a wink.

I blushed, toying with the ends of my side ponytail just to give my hands something to do. "Don't pretend you haven't been looking either," I said cheekily, wiggling my butt and swinging my legs.

His hearty laugh was deep and rich and sent a zinging tingle running up and down my spine.

I loved, loved, loved his laugh. I knew the tragedy that had occurred within his family, that he carried a great deal of guilt and sorrow, so it gave me a thrill that it was me who'd made him laugh and brought out a twinkle in his eyes.

Miss Tabitha Catt.

Little Miss Uptight.

I gave a proud squiggle of my shoulders.

"Maybe we can do this tomorrow night?" he suggested. "Go out and check out the stars."

I smoothed my hands over my skirt. "I can't. I'm actually going stargazing with my Aunt tomorrow night."

He was clearly disappointed. And then his digital watch went off beep beep beep.

Pulling back the sleeve cuff to his jacket and blazer, he turned off the alarm. Standing up, he offered me his hand. "Time to get you home, Miss Catt, before your aunt gets back from her date."

Markel had taken Aunt Ellena out to the movies with another couple acting as chaperones. The reason why I was able to come out with Varen tonight. She had no idea I was stealing out on sneaky dates. Everyone thought I was running errands in the city for the upcoming wedding of Oswin and Dolcie's. As much as I wanted to stay here with Varen longer, he was right, it was time to leave.