NERTHUS
“Wow,” I say dreamily as I am braiding the tassels of her scarf. “You two are adventurous.”
Emily is just about to inquire about my Thanksgiving after having gushed about theirs, as I jump at Owen slumping back down at the table.
Saved by the bell.
My panic rises as I see Arawn taking his place as well, and I turn around. Checking if he has a split lip or a black eye, I am equally relieved as I am disappointed.
I’m such a disgusting character.
“Everything alright?” I ask, and he nods looking at me as if I had caught him red-handed.
“Sure. Why?” He leans forward to press a chaste kiss on the corner of my lips, making me freeze.
Shaking my head, I stare at him in disbelief. “Nothing.”
“We will discuss it later like we said we would.” He lowers his voice with a smile, and I nod absentmindedly.
I am more confused than ever, and honestly, I am scared.
Maybe they didn’t talk to each other, and happened to just come back into the room by coincidence?
My fingers itch to grab my purse and write him again, even if I’m a hundred percent sure that he won’t answer.
Emily rejoices as the dessert is being served, and I must say that I had been looking forward to it as well. But the moment the Mousse au Chocolat stands before me, my stomach closes. I pick at it with my spoon while the others at my table dig in, chatting leisurely.
Taking a sip from my wine, my gaze falls automatically on Arawn. He is in the same exact situation as I am as he sits there staring at me. His dessert in front of him is still untouched, and his look is void and melancholic at the same time.
It gets me to wrinkle my nose as I shake my head tilting it.
Just what is his fucking problem?
As I look back at him, his lips move, asking me a silent question.
‘Don’t you like it?’
It gets all of my willpower not to scoff as I finally tear my eyes off him, taking the first scoop of my mousse.
“Hmm!” I say, turning to Owen with a smile. “This is amazing.”
He mirrors my happy expression, retorting something sweet.
This is how it is supposed to be.
This is how it should be.
Then why can’t I stop seeing him through everyone’s eyes?
***
“Take care on your way home.” I hug Emily with laughter, and we sway before we let go. After having hugged Harvey as well, Owen leans in to me with his hand on my back.
“I’m going to get our car.” He says, his voice barely getting drowned out by the voices of the crowd we are standing in.
I see him about to approach the valet, as the hair on my neck already starts standing up. “Was everything alright?”
“Hm-mhm,” I answer his question without getting my eyes off Owen.
“Nert-”
“What do you want, Arawn?” I snap my head towards him, interrupting him saying my name. “Can’t you leave me alone?”
He smirks, shifting on his feet as he puts his hands in his pockets. “I told you what I want. And no. No, I guess I can’t.”
“Well, bad luck.” I tsk as I look at Owen shortly seeing him still in a conversation with a valet. “Shouldn’t have sacked me.”
“So, what? Are you going home with him?” He asks, making me shake my head.
“You are just unbelievable.”
“So? Yes or no?” He pushes further, and I look up at him, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Not that it wouldn’t be of any business of yours. But yeah, I guess I will be going home with him.”
He pushes out a short laugh, making me look at him with my tongue pressed against my teeth.
“What?” I ask him, looking at him defiantly.
He shrugs, the complacent smile still playing on his lips. “Nothing.”
“I just can’t believe you. This much audacity must be kind of bloating if kept inside a single body this long.” He cracks up as I squint my eyes at him.
I move my gaze to watch the people scurry around outside again, while he calms down from his laughter. “He is just a loser.”
Gasping audibly, I turn my head to him just as he leans close. “I might be full of audacity. But it is still my name that falls off those delectable lips of yours when you come hard on my cock.”
A shiver runs down my spine, and I caress my arm to conceal my goosebumps. “Don’t you dare insult him. He is a good man, and he isn’t a loser.”
He tilts his head at me as his smile falls completely. “Whatever.”
“Yeah, whatever. See, this is all you can do. You play the strong and powerful male ready to crash everyone else to dust. Yet, when I do a step in your direction, I get ignored or pushed back.”
Taking a deep breath, I turn towards him fully. “I’m sick and tired of this game, Arawn. And that’s exactly why I will be going home with him even with you asking me to come back. Because you don’t really want me back, it just kills your pride as a majestic king that a little plebeian got away.”
Him keeping quiet after my sad speech, has my heart breaking even more, so I loosen the grip on my arms, wanting to make him feel bad as I feel.
As if that was ever possible.
“He surely will enjoy his name being screamed in pleasure as well. And I guess his name rolls off my tongue way better than others.” Stepping closer to him, I watch him clench his jaw. “I hope your business partner is a licker because I have an awful lot of steam to get out.”
“What about your repertoire?” He says, forcing a chuckle, and I shake my head.
“Oh, but my repertoire is of no concern here. He isn’t a client.” My gaze meets his, enabling me to see his rage flooding him.
Standing on my tippy-toes, I press a kiss on his cheek before I whisper, “He is a date.”