“No one ever asks me to dance,” Ladybird says, shrugging off the comment, and I wonder how often she does that.
I push back my chair, round the table and hold out a hand, which she takes, and I lead us to the dancefloor. Multiple cupids gasp in surprise, and I wonder if it’s a reaper dancing at this fine restaurant or because it’s Ladybird who is dancing with me.
She’s a tall cupid. I’ve only got about an inch on her as I grip her hips and she tosses her hands behind my neck, her fingernails tentatively grazing against my closely shaved head.
“What is it that you want, reaper?” she asks, and I note that multiple cupids give us a wide berth.
“I thought that was obvious.”
She appraises me for a moment before glancing back at the table where Cupio is currently glaring daggers at me.
“You like him?” I ask her, hoping that I don’t sound insecure.
She sighs as we sway to the light melody of the music. “He just sees me as an assistant and I don’t think it would work, anyway.”
“Why? Because you’re both confident and know what you want? Well, besides the fact that neither of you realize that you both want each other.”
“We’re both cupids. I think I’d know if he was interested in me,” she says, her gaze locking with mine.
“I’m interested in you,” I say boldly.
I’m not usually the one to initiate. If anything, I usually get off on the chase. But it hasn’t done me any favors in the past. If I want the cupids I’m interested in, I’m going to need to be direct.
Ladybird drags her nail along the shape of my jaw.
“In just me?” she asks.
“He’s not so bad, either,” I say, nudging my head toward her boss and supposed crush.
“I’m not sure you know what you’re getting yourself into,” Ladybird says, her fingertips soft against the side of my face.
“I’m more than eager to find out,” I tell her, and she smiles.
“Is that what you are? An eager, ready to please little reaper?” she asks, and I nearly melt into the fucking floor.
“That’s exactly what I am.”
Her lips twitch, and I find myself wanting her to kiss me, but she doesn’t. Instead, she slides her fingers to grip my chin, pulling me close, but not close enough.
“Why should I give you what you want?”
I swallow, and she glances down at my lips before meeting my eyes. I’m not sure if she’s waiting for me to retreat, or what she expects, but my answer takes her by surprise.
“You shouldn’t. You should make me work for it,” I tell her.
It’s then she gives me a full-blown, wide smile. I realize at that very moment I’d do whatever she asks of me to see her smile like that again.
“And him?” she says, pointing her head toward Cupio.
“He’s something you want?”
She nods her head. I was already into the larger-than-life, yet somewhat sad, cupid who’s currently seething about sitting alone at the table.
“I’m keen,” I tell her, and she smiles.
“Then be a dear and make it happen,” she says, removing her hands from my neck.
My hands are still on her hips as I blink at her.
