Page 22 of The Searching Songbird

“But, that doesn't make you look younger, just... shorter.” He laughed as she gave him an annoyed look, her face scrunched up like an angry kitten. “What? Didn't you just say you were on the smaller side? I was only agreeing with you.”

She huffed. “It's one thing for me to say it, it's another thing entirely for you to so bluntly confirm it. Rude.”

“Ah. I didn't realize I was making such a breach of etiquette. My apologies, m'lady.”

She bumped her hip into his, her lips twitching at the corners as she tried to hold back her laughter. “Now I know you're being facetious.”

His own laughter dried up in his throat at the innocent movement, and he had to physically restrain himself from pulling her close and stealing a kiss from those same upturned lips. You're a damn fool to even consider it. You've been hired to kidnap the girl, not fall in love with her.

Not that he was in any danger of that. She was attractive, sure, and sweet as hell. But she was also a job, and he didn't have the option of failing. Not when the boss was counting on him. No, he would keep his heart out of this.

“Speaking of ages...” Lily slid her gaze sideways, waiting for him to fill in the blank.

“You wanna know how old I am?”

“Well, it only seems fair, seeing as you know my age.”

He smirked. “Guess.”

She pursed her lips as she studied his face. After a moment, she let out an exasperated huff. “I haven't the slightest idea. Eighteen? Thirty-five?” She waved at his beard. “How is anyone supposed to tell with all that hair covering your face?”

“What, you don't like my beard?” He ran a hand over the bushy mess, grinning.

She blushed. “I didn't mean that, I just meant, you know...” She waved her hand in the air as if that explained anything, and his grin widened as she grew more and more flustered.

“No, I don't know. What did you mean?”

“It's confusing.”

“I know, that's why I asked what you meant.”

“No, I meant your beard is confusing. It covers so much of your face, I haven't the slightest idea what you look like under there. Which makes guessing your age almost impossible. So, you see, you have me at quite the disadvantage.”

“Apparently.” He pressed his lips together to keep from laughing as her small frame began to vibrate with frustration. After another moment of walking in silence, she finally stopped and turned to face him, her hands planted on her hips as she gave him an exasperated look.

“Well? Are you just going to leave it at that, or are you going to actually tell me how old you are?”

“Well, now, I'm afraid there's been too much build up. Perhaps it'd be better if we just left it a mystery.”

She didn't respond as she continued to stare him down, waiting for him to answer the question.

He lifted his shoulders in a careless shrug. “Fine, I'll tell you. But don't blame me when the mystery is gone, and you're left disappointed.”

She raised an eyebrow. “It's just an age, Draven. I'm sure I'll survive.”

His stomach flipped at the sound of his name on her lips.

“Twenty-five.”

Her eyes widened briefly in surprise. The beard really did age him, which is why he usually liked having it in his current line of work. Right now, however, pinned as he was by the scrutinizing gaze of those big, blue eyes, he couldn't help but wish it away. He probably looked more like a bear than a young man.

Not that it matters. She doesn't need to be attracted to you, she just needs to trust you.

The truth of that statement hit him as he watched Lily try to hide her surprise behind a mask of indifference, bobbing her head up and down as if that was about what she expected. He needed this girl to trust him. Maybe not before, when he was just another unrecognizable face in a sea of strangers, but now... now, she knew him. If he wanted to keep this as quiet as possible, it would help if she trusted him. If he played it right, she might even go along willingly.

He held his arm back out. “Now that the mystery's been put to rest, shall we continue our walk?” She gave him a shy smile, slipping her hand back into the crook of his elbow without hesitation.

“Yes, please.”