NERTHUS
“Can I bring you something else, sweetie?”
Mr. Entitled Asshole: You aren’t at home. Where are you?
A man dressed in a suit looks up from his phone with a dizzy smile. “No, I’m alright, Aria. Thank you!”
Mr. Entitled Asshole: Where the fuck are you? Answer the phone!
“Call me if you need anything.”
Mr. Entitled Asshole: I don’t have the key to your fake apartment.
He nods, returning to his flashing screen as he leans back onto the counter.
I clean up the counter swiftly with a rag as I take the order of a couple of young ladies blabbering excitedly.
Mr. Entitled Asshole: Are you here? Are you going to open the door or not?
I was already knocked out as his texts reached me, and I still don’t know if I’m sad or happy about it.
My day shift at the cafe and my current shift at the bar surely took a bit of my thoughts away from the asshole, but I was still struggling to concentrate on the tasks.
More than anything, I was angry, and eventually I thought it served him right to be left on read for once.
I hope he had a massive hard-on as he thought about fucking me and disappointedly had to take care of it by himself.
Laughing to myself, I serve the happy ladies, and thank them for the nice tip they leave me.
As a Sunday, it is slower than the other days, but it still keeps me busy.
Even if it’s not busy enough to not have me seething about how he says things like he would walk through fire for me but takes ten steps back when I take one step towards him.
And I am tired.
Exhausted even.
I see a shadow move in the corner of my eyes. Before I can see what is happening, I feel a pair of arms wrapping around my legs, and I get lifted into the air.
My squeal is followed by laughter as I lean down to wrap my arms around Danny’s neck. “Oh, my baby!”
I can sense his big smile as he presses his cheek against mine. “You aren’t allowed to be here, my honey boo.”
He crouches down to let me back onto my feet gently and pouts at me. “Ah, come on. He is in charge of me. There is no age control for people like us.”
I laugh while my heart beats into my throat at avoiding Arawn. “For him, there isn’t. For people like us, there is.”
Caressing his hair and down to his chin, I gesture to the counter. “Sit, I’ll bring you a soda.”
I walk to the fridge without even looking at Arawn who is already sitting at the counter with his suppressing dark aura.
“Could you cover the huge guy for me please?” I ask Simone, who looks at me concerned.
“Sure, babes. Is everything alright?”
I nod, forcing a smile at her. “Yeah. Yeah. I just don’t want to talk to him.”
“Got ya.” She whispers before she goes to ask him for his order.
My heart makes a little flip as he tells Simone that he won’t take anything if it’s not me serving him, and I love her as she keeps getting my back.
“I’m getting a soda.” Danny chimes in happily, apparently feeling a bit awkward.
Passing her, I put down his soda in front of him. “That’s on me.”
Danny thanks me with a wide smile but looks up at Arawn who with his glare still on me nods shortly, allowing him to drink his beverage.
What a good king.
I push Simone away from them, and we talk in hushed voices as I draw a beer, making her bring it to Arawn.
Even if he is displeased with that, he takes it anyway and engages in a conversation with Danny.
I do my best to avoid Arawn’s gaze. But it is nearly impossible as I still want to look after my baby.
“Are you alright, Danny? Do you want to drink another one?” I ask him, as I’m filling a glass for another customer with ice.
He munches on the cashew mix I put in front of him just a few moments before and smiles happily at me. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”
I flash him a grin and go to serve the drink to my customer.
“Get him another beer, please.” Danny suddenly appears next to the man I’m serving, making me sigh.
“I’ll ask Simone to bring it to him,” I say, cashing in.
He pouts, making puppy dog eyes. “Ah, come on, Am.”
Groaning, I go to draw a beer and he celebrates. I chuckle as he runs back to Arawn’s side. He must be telling him about his big win as he is beaming at him while Arawn shakes his head.
“Here you go,” I say with my eyes low as I set down the beer in front of Arawn.
With a sudden movement, he snatches my wrist, pulling me into the counter. My breath hitches, and my eyes widen as he forces me to look at him with this scare.
His darkened eyes have a shiver run through me as he leans forward slightly and growls a low ‘thank you’.
“You are welcome,” I whisper, trying not to fall over as he lets go of me.
Holding my wrist, I walk back to the other side of the bar, having to face a worried Simone. “Oh my God, are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, moving my hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. He is always like this.”
Unfortunately, as it is a quiet shift, there are just the two of us. And with all the love I have for empowered women and am sure that we could rule the world all by ourselves, it still works wonder if a man is present.
Especially in a bar.
“Should I call the police?” She whispers as I’m removing new bottles from the fridge below the counter to mix a new order.
I laugh, squeezing her arm. “Oh, honey, no! But thank you.”
After a few more hours of ignoring him, and unfortunately having to ignore Danny as well, I finally see Danny wave at me. I go to hug him and put my hands on his cheeks. “Be careful on your way home, will you?”
“I’m not a baby.” He protests with a groan, and I pinch his chin playfully.
“Of course, you aren’t,” I say in a baby voice before kissing his cheek.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” Arawn asks, not actually giving me the impression of having any choice.
Looking over my shoulder, I knead my fingers. “I don’t know. I don’t want to leave Simone all by herself.”
“It will only take a minute.” He growls, already walking to the lounge room of the pub, pushing me with him.
I groan as we stand in the currently closed part of the pub and cross my arms over my chest. “Make it quick.”
As I’m too focused on acting defiantly and looking over to Simone, I don’t get to follow his movements. I gasp as he wraps his hand around my high ponytail, jerking my head back.
“Eyes on me, Nerthus. Especially when I summon you somewhere.”
“I’m not your fucking toy anymore, Arawn! Let go of me!” I say through clenched teeth, but he just increases his grip.
“I have been uncomplaining today.” He snarls as he lowers his voice. “But the next time I see you I won’t be that understanding. I’ll take what’s mine.”
I clench my fists shortly, fighting the urge to claw onto his shirt. “Oh, threatening me to take me by force. What a charming, strong man you are.”
This remark of mine must have hit home as his expression shifts slightly before he regains his angered mask. He scans my face with his eyes, before changing the subject. “Why didn’t you text back yesterday?”
“I fell asleep. I was drunk.” I gulp as he chuckles.
“So, Owen didn’t come back?” He asks, making me look at him wide-eyed.
“No! You managed to scare him off just like everyone else. I hope you are happy.” I breathe out, trying to pull my hair out of his hold.
Finally letting my hair go, he chuckles. “Ask me something that won’t get us fighting again.”
He smirks at me, and I scoff, even if my skin buzzes as he lays a hand on my back. “You owe me a night, and I’ll collect it soon. So, be ready, Nerthus.”
My heart stops as his husky whisper is still shivering through me, and he presses a kiss onto my neck.
“Good night, Amber.” Danny waves at me, as Arawn reaches him, leaving me behind. Losing my grip around myself, I reciprocate it with a tired smile.
“Good night, Danny.”