Cara smirked. “I know exactly what you were admiring there. Don’t worry—we all know what it’s like when you feel the mate bond for the first time.”
Alyx leaned in to whisper into Cara’s ear. “Does it get less intense over time?”
“Oh, darling.” Cara laughed into her face. “You’re only just starting out. I’m almost jealous. Getting to connect—to really connect—for the first time is an incredible experience.”
“You’ve been through it too, huh?” Alyx gave Cara a weak smile.
She’d always thought of herself as strong and in charge. But it was impossible to take charge of this sizzling electricity between them.
It would be like herding lightning. Like trying to stop wildfire.
And this was one fire even the master of fire himself couldn’t control.
Somehow that made her feel better.
“What are you two whispering about?” Braeden asked suspiciously.
Alyx grinned when she mo
ved back and tossed the shirt with the red stripe at him.
“Wouldn’t you like to know. Try that one on for me?”
“You better not be giving her weird ideas about dragon shifters. Just for the record—we don’t sleep on piles of gold.”
“Oh,” Alyx said nonchalantly, her mouth suddenly dry as she watched him pull off his shirt, his abs flexing in the sunlight that fell in through the window. “Don’t worry. I already know that you appreciate a sturdy bed.”
Cara didn’t succeed in stifling her giggles.
“Better hurry up, you two,” the bunny shifter said. “I think someone’s eager to formalize the mate bond. Not that I blame you. I was just the same.”
Alyx swallowed as she watched the new shirt stretch over Braeden’s broad chest.
Definitely the right choice.
The outfit was simple, somewhere between casual and elegant. And the sudden splash of red gave it style without being garish.
Braeden looked like an ancient warrior king who’d time-traveled to the runways of New York Fashion Week.
Which was just how she liked it.
“Nice,” Cara said with obvious appreciation. “You have an eye for this. Let me know if you ever want to move into Shifter Couture.”
“Is there a market for that?” Alyx asked, suddenly overcome by professional curiosity.
Was there perhaps an entire world of style and fashion and trends she’d missed out on?
“We’ve got houses and holidays and matchmaking services all for shifters.” Cara shrugged. “Why shouldn’t we have a shifter fashion community? At least that’s what Celia—our swan shifter—and I are thinking. She’s been hoping to start up a small fashion community just for shifters—but she knows more about designing than marketing.”
“I happen to know a bit about that part of the business,” Alyx said, her head suddenly filling with possibilities. “And I’d love to meet your friend, if she’s interested in some networking.”
“Oh, she’d love that.”
“Ahem,” Braeden interjected.
When Alyx turned, chagrined, she saw that he was grinning at her.
“I love listening to you two plan,” he said, “but don’t forget you wanted to pick out new clothes as well.”