A sharp whistle caught my attention, and I looked over to see Zhiolas waving us over. Dain sauntered in that general direction, me following after, attempting to calm my body down. We were just having fun, I scolded myself. Dain hadn't meant to be sexual; he was only amused by my gawping at what had to be a very familiar sight for him. We were going to hang out with Alluin and Zhiolas, and I was not going to think about the way his hips moved when he was fucking someone or about fur that went all the way up.

Alluin lounged with his elbows resting on the dark leather back of the U-shaped booth, his broad mouth curved into a friendly smile and his angled, dark hazel eyes full of welcome. I smiled at him and scooted into the booth when Dain gave me a look that told me under no circumstances would I be sitting on the outside edge. He slid in next to me, sprawling with the casual grace of a leopard, his wing-arms draped over the edge of the couch and his legs in a full manspread.

"Leah, might I introduce you to my friend Alluin Xilsatra, General of the First Army?" He pitched his voice low as he said it, settling in next to me so that his thigh pressed against mine. Dain draped his arm behind me and twisted one tendril of my hair around his finger. "Alluin, this is my soulmate, Leah Escarra."

He was—he was flirting with me! I glanced down at his powerful thigh, indignant. Dain was totally flirting with me, being physical with me in the sorts of casual ways that men do when they know the woman they're touching likes it. That wasn't in our agreement—but also, we didn't exactly have an ironclad agreement, did we? Trying out friendship didn't preclude a little flirting, and that warm, solid thigh up against mine felt way too good to spurn.

Besides, I told myself virtuously, It'll be good for Dain to get more comfortable with his body.

Yeah, the rest of me answered back in a smirking tone. That's definitely why we're doing it.

"How could I forget such a lovely woman?" Alluin said with a smile. "It's a pleasure to finally get to meet you while you're not on the verge of death."

"I recall a passionate defense on my behalf," I said, walking my fingers down Dain's thigh. Two could play at the game of torment. "No doubt Dain is grateful that you made him come over and take a look at the dying woman at the lake."

"No doubt," Dain agreed, with a slight edge to his voice, and not of anger. "Leah has made a special request for drinking games. Are you in the mood for anything in particular?"

"Drinking games, hm?" he asked, cocking one perfect brow at me.

I waggled mine back at him, which made him laugh.