NERTHUS
As my heart seems to stand still, my thoughts run wild. The panic of me embarrassing Arawn in such an event wafts through me like a tsunami as the thought didn’t even pass my mind.
And then it hits me.
The mayor’s office!
How could I even retort to someone who works on the mayor’s staff?
“Gemma?” Just as I’m about to utter some stupid excuse, Arawn’s amused question reaches me.
Looking up at him mortified, I pray that my voice would not sound too shaky.
Just what the hell has become of me?!
“Don’t you like it?”
He hums, tapping his finger on his lips. “I guess I would like that one less than Rachel but certainly better than Aria.”
Gasping over-dramatically, it feels like a huge stone is being lift from my chest. “What do you have against Aria?”
He shrugs as he utters a low “Meh.”, making me slap his arm playfully.
“It’s a beautiful name!” I try to argue as the man glares at us incredulously.
“What the fuck, Arawn?” He shouts, triggering his spouse’s reaction. “Harvey!”
But Harvey just shrugs, talking to Arwan again. “You know about that?”
“Do I look like fucking idiot to you?” Arawn’s grin surprises me a little as he grins toward Harvey who is eyeing him up suspiciously.
Arawn sighs, putting his arm around me. “Don’t mind him.” He says to me, while looking at the other man. “He likes to test people.”
“Oh.” Is the only thing that I am able to say before he offers me his hand with a grin. “Harvey.”
I nod and take it reluctantly. His wife loops his arm around his, introducing herself as well. “And I’m Emily. But you didn’t date William, did you?”
The men laugh while I shake my head. “Oh, no. No. I didn’t date Mayor Smith.”
“Love that accent on the date.” Harvey mocks, earning laughter from the small group of people.
I force a shy smile and my heart does a little flip as Arawn leans into me once again. Other than the small crowd standing in front of us, he doesn’t seem amused.
“Where?” He asks lowly, and I stare at him agape for a moment before I get what he means.
I shrug, taking a sip from my champagne, “The right leg, maybe.”
“Okay.” Arawn smirks, moving his arm to his side, lifting the side of his jacket slightly.
Harvey jumps, throwing his hands forward. “Hey, no! Listen, Amber, I’m sorry!”
Arawn hums, halting in his movements to look back at me.
“Are you happy with this half-assed apology?”
“Not really,” I wrinkle my nose, turning to Arawn, “but I think that’s the best we will get.”
I laugh as Harvey shakes his head with a smile. “Guys, you are evil.”
“If you will excuse us,” Arawn says, putting his and around me. “But we have other, more important folk, to enchant.”
The women and Harvey gasp in theatrical indignation, and are already joking and laughing as Arawn steers me away from the group.
We reach a couple who seem to know him. Apparently, the woman does some legal stuff for Arawn’s company, and I’m hooked by her elegance. This time, he is clearly leading the conversation while I become the pretty accessory that I’m paid to play.
Something feels off though. The uncomfortable prickle in my neck, has me touching my throat repetitively, as if I wanted to get rid of a small insect, tingling on my skin as I couldn’t catch it. Eventually, I turn around, finding the man with the kind face and the blond hair staring at me with a strange expression.
As I understand the reason for my unwell sensation, I finally get rid of the uncomfortable tingle, and can focus back on Arawn.
“Everything okay?” He asks, scanning the room as his business partner walks away.
“Are you ever not worried about me?” I answer him with a small smile.
He scoffs, taking a sip from his glass. “Not when you are fidgeting around like you got fleas.”
“Oh my God.” I laugh out loud, making him smirk at me.
And God, is he gorgeous.
“A man was staring at me really awkwardly, I’m sorry. Normally, I don’t get troubled by it, but this time it kind of… It was just off.”
He murmurs as he looks around once again. “Again with your apologies.”
I just smile sadly, before he sets his gaze back on me. “Who was it?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug, pouting. “Forget it. He should have gotten the hint, seeing me with you.”
He smiles again and is about to say something as we are interrupted by a petite woman dressed in an elegant black pantsuit.
“Excuse me, Mr. Rodberg. I’m sorry for the interruption. But your suite would be ready.”
Her voice is so melodic that I could listen to her for hours.
“Oh,” Arawn checks his watch with a frown, “time flies. Thank you.”
The elegant hostess does a little courtesy and claps her hands softly. “No need to rush. Whenever you are ready.”
With another courtesy, she takes her leave, walking away elegantly.
Turning around with a giggle as she is out of her hearing range, I press my champagne flute to my lips. “You took us a suite? Did you already know that you would be too hot for me to make it home?”
“God, don’t make me think about it.” He laughs, wrapping his arm around me. “Actually, no, beautiful. I have a poker round.”
“Oh!” I hate how disappointed I sound and shake my head to regain my smile. Before I’m able to say anything to it to save me from my embarrassment, he leans in.
“I know.” He whispers huskily, a smile playing on his lips. “I wish I didn’t as well.”
I love the way he straightens up with a grin as I laugh. “Stop playing with me.” Feeling my blush creeping up my cheeks, I avert my eyes.
“But don’t worry. I’ll take a cab, and maybe you’ll come to visit me after your poker round.”
“As good as that sounds, beautiful.”
I clear my throat, bracing myself for yet another rejection as my eyes meet his, making my heart flip. “What about if you join us?”
“Join you?” I ask as I already hear Harvey nearing us. “Are you two coming?”
“Yeah.” Arawn answers my question, ignoring Harvey as he doesn’t even break eye contact for a second. “I’ll pay for your admission.”
“Oh.” I say again, feeling stupid.
Harvey distracts me as he does a little dance, inciting us to hurry. As my gaze falls back on Arawn, he is still looking at me.
“Sure,” I say, gulping. “I’d love to.”
“Cool!” Harvey shouts, before Arawn can even react to it and starts walking to the large exit of the venue’s main hall.
Arawn grumbles something to himself, making me loop my arm around his with a giggle.
As we follow Harvey and his wife to the elevators, I feel the strange feeling from before. By the time we arrive at the elevators, I would like to strip my skin off.
Harvey stops, activating the buttons as he turns around, opening his arms. “How are you all so slow!”
“Sorry, bro.” I recognize the sunny boy’s voice and freeze.
I can’t explain the bad feeling that I get as I have never met the guy. The worst thing about it all is the moment as I lift my gaze and find Arawn frowning down at me. It doesn’t feel like worry. More like he just caught me red-handed.
And my gut feeling just gets worse.