Oliver runs a hand through his inky-black hair and smirks. “Wow. This is wild to see you ...” His arrow makes a little ping sound before it hits my leg. “Sorry,” he rushes out, but I giggle, watching him pick it up.
Oh my ... that’s quite the sculpted back he’s got. Yummy.
He straightens, fidgeting with the arrow.
“Professional hazard,” he teases.
I try to think of something clever, something flirty to say, but he’s still so gorgeous that I’m at a loss for words. That is until Gareth seizes the opportunity to re-grab my hand, practically jerking my attention and my body sideways as he kisses it.
“Eww, no,” I squeal, immediately fighting for my skin’s life. “Gareth! What are you doing?”
All I can feel is the spit he’s left behind and my chances with Cupid going up in flames. So I jerk my arm, trying to break free.
“Don’t be scared, turtledove,” Gareth grunts, trying to kiss my hand again. “It’s okay. We’re being tested, but I understand. Love is scary. But our chemistry is ...”
“Nonexistent,” I rush out. “Let go, freak.”
Oliver’s strong hand grips Gareth’s wrist. “Dude. She said, ‘Let go.’”
Gareth freezes before narrowing his eyes, but he’s smart enough to release me, so I step out of reach, close to Oliver. Not before sliding my coat off the back of the chair.
“Oh, you don’t know who you’re messing with,” Gareth bellows, trying to make his voice deeper while puffing out his chest. “This ismygirlfriend. She’s with the alpha now ... and if you mess with me, you mess with the pack.”
My lips part, but I’m actually speechless.
I look at Oliver, whose brows are drawn together, the look on his face similar to mine. It’s like we can’t tell if this is serious or an elaborate joke being played on both of us.
Then Gareth growls.
Like actually freaking growls.
The laugh that jumps out of me isn’t helping the situation, so I try to shove it back inside just as fast, but it’s hard because Oliver’s eyes are like saucers.
“Broooo” comes from beside Oliver—the other Cupid.
I swallow and grab my purse, saying the only thing that feels contextually correct. “I was never Team Jacob ... so, I’m gonna go.” I lock eyes with Oliver. “Get me outta here?”
Gareth is still growling.
“Absolutely.”
My hand is taken, engulfed by the warmth of Oliver’s, before he turns to Gareth. “I’m stealing your girl. Because I’m the fucking god of love. Don’t pee on the rug.”
With that, he leads me out. And it would be the coolest exit from the shit show behind us if it wasn’t twenty degrees outside and he wasn’t basically naked.
“Oh my god,” he yells the minute we’re out the door, letting go of my hand to cover his nipples. “This was not well thought out.”
“Oh, hold on,” I rush out, turning in circles, laughing. “Put this on,” I say as I almost drop my blush cashmere coat before I shove it toward him. Without hesitation, he grabs it, tugging it on his body. And I do mean tugging, because it fits too snug, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care.
I raise my hand to call the passing cab. “How about we get out of here before the pack sniffs us out? I mean, unless you had other plans. Or need to get back?”
It’s bold of me to ask, but this morning hasn’t exactly been standard operating procedure. And I leave tomorrow, so if there was ever a time to be bold, it’s now.
But the longer the silence stretches out, more reasons populate my brain:He’s going to leave in just my coat? What about the job he was doing? And his friend? He probably barely remembers you ... you look crazy. He probably has a girlfriend.
But Oliver blows hot air between his hands. “Yeah, I don’t want to stick around to see Teen Wolf–out. I’m game.”
I laugh as the cab pulls up, and he holds the door open for me to get in first. And our eyes meet as we settle in next to each other.
