Maybe it was annoyance Nick felt when I flirted with Max, not jealousy?
I felt…somethingin Nick’s presence. Something beyond finding him incredibly attractive. Something I wasn’t used to and couldn’t quite identify, but it called to my magic in a way that made me want to put up shields and chase after him at the same time.
But if he felt nothing in return?
I wasn’t about to pursue someone clearly not interested.
Boundaries were something I respected.
“That’s a shame,” I said, meeting his gaze and holding it. Usually I’d flirt with him a little like I did with everyone I found attractive. Like I had with Max—not Gabriel because I didn’t have a death wish—but intuition told me Nick wouldn’t like that either.
So instead, I followed Max’s example and held out my hand. “Thank you for your assistance today.” I smiled, not my usual teasing one, but small and genuine. One I normally reserved for those I knew well. “And I wish you luck with your club. Maybe I’ll visit if I get the chance to come back here.”
His fingers tightened around mine. “You’re leaving?”
There was no hiding the widening of his eyes, the flash of panic, shock, or disappointment, or whatever it was. I didn’t care which one, because any of them meant that Nick wasn’t unaffected. The thought of me leavingbotheredhim.
And that set my blood alight.
I could work withbothered.
Fighting to contain my grin, I ran my thumb over the back of his hand before letting go. “Eventually. I foresee staying at least a week or two, but if your club is still closed—”
He straightened his shoulders, expression morphing into one of thinly veiled amusement and I let my smile widen. “Actually,” he said, “I was planning on reopening the club this Saturday night.” He crossed his arms, those delicious tattooed forearms on full display.
I licked my lips. “In that case, maybe I’ll come along after all.”
“You should.” He smirked, confidence flooding into his stance with every second, like he’d found his footing again. I liked the moody version of him, but I found I liked the cocky, self-assured version even more. His gaze flicked to Axel. “Get Axel to bring you. He’s one of myregulars.” The lazy smile and accompanying wink would’ve been hot… if they’d been directed at me, but my cousin was the lucky recipient.
Touché.
“I’ll make an official announcement,” Nick added, turning to Max and Gabriel. “But consider yourselves invited as my guests.” With that, he turned and walked out.
Thankfully Axel had the good grace to wait until he was out of earshot before barking out a laugh and turning to face me. “What the fuck, D?” His nose scrunched up and he shook his head. “Nope. I still have no idea what you were trying to do there.”
That made two of us.
I rolled my shoulders, trying to gather my thoughts and regain my usual composure. I was a high-ranking member in the fae guard, esteemed by the high court for my investigative skills and offensive magic.
Axel wasn’t the only one in the room looking at me like I’d grown a second head.
The last thing I needed was word getting back to Lady Sarhin that I was incompetent at the job she’d sent me to do. I opened my mouth to claw back some semblance of control of the situation, but Gabriel beat me to it.
“You like him.” His smirk held all the teasing I’d expected from Axel. His eyes danced with mischief and his expression turned sly. “I thought it was just Nick reacting to an insanely hot guy, but perhaps it’s reciprocated?”
Maybe he had more fae in him than he realised.
I took a moment to preen at being called insanely hot, then gave the barest of shrugs. “I only met him this morning.”
Gabriel laughed and held out his hands. “You realise you’re talking to someone bonded to their soulmate, right? I know how these things work, and it doesn’t matter how long you’ve known someone. Sometimes a part of you knows on a subconscious level. The rest of you just needs to catch up.”
I rolled my eyes. “Your mate is an alpha wolf. That’s completely different.” Feeling on steadier ground, I added. “Nick Parker is a witch and I’m fae. There’s no fated mate scenario going on here.” I looked to Axel for backup only to find him studying me with a thoughtful expression on his face. “What?”
“I don’t know…” He rubbed his jaw, and I huffed out a sigh.
“What don’t you know, exactly?”
“Gabriel’s half fae, but he felt a connection to Rys, right?” He turned to Gabriel for confirmation.
