Page 4 of Hit By the Cupid Stick

A small, angry spark lither dark eyes, turning the flecks golden, and she straightened awayfrom his touch, only to lean forward again. “Of course I do,” shemuttered haughtily, “you struck me with one of yourarrows.”

Did he tell her now thatthe level of desire, or connection—everything the arrow did—onlybuilt on what was naturally there?

He didn’t make his couplesfeel things that didn’t already exist. People who didn’t know eachother or didn’t have a spark of chemistry wouldn’t react to eachother at all. Definitely not like this. But the ones where desirehad been simmering under the surface for a while went up in flames.The ones with true liking fell in love in a blink.

He smiled softly. “What happens now is up toyou.”

She frowned a little. “I don’t—”

“We have some…time…beforethe effects wear off.”

Her frown deepened. “Itwears off?”

Chance nodded. “My job isjust to get a couple…started. A basic catalyst. It’s up to themafter that.”

“How long do wehave?”

He shrugged. “Depends onthe couple, so it’s difficult to tell.” If she took him up on whathe was about to suggest, he was damn well hoping fordays.

She crossed her legs.Rubbing them together in an unconscious gesture and he knew exactlywhy. Because her body needed the same thing his did. Release.Immediate release. And only release delivered at hishands.

“So, what is up to meexactly?” she demanded.

His siren was gettingantsy.

“You have two choices. Gohome and lock yourself away until this wears off. A few days atmost. It will be uncomfortable, but you can do it.”

“Uncomfortablehow?”

He narrowed his eyes. Sheknew. She just didn’t want to admit it. Chance leaned in, hands onthe bar on either side of her, forming a cage of sorts. Lips to herear. “Option 2,” he said, letting the heaviness of need sink intohis voice so that she couldn’t mistake it. “We fuck. Alot.”

She was already tenseagainst him and yet trembling. Resisting so hard.

But he wasn’t going to talk her into this.It had to be her decision.

Only…gods he wanted her.He’d always wanted her. But no way he was pressuring her. He wantedthe woman in his bed willing, eager even.

“Okay.” Her answer came ina whisper.

Not good enough. He shook his head. “No.You’re going to have to tell me what you want. I need to beclear.”

Doe brown eyes narrowed anddarkened. He could see the competitive side of her reflected there.The side that liked to be in control. Then she stood up off herstool. Chance was tall, but Elodie was tiny, the top of her headonly up to mis chest on him. No doubt another physical attributethat lured men. Human men needed to feel powerful,dominating.

The move pressed her upagainst him, even as he eased back slightly to give her space. Shelooked him dead in the eye. “I’ll take fucking, please.”

She grabbed her purse offthe bar top, took him by the hand, and dragged him through thecrowd, out the door, and into a waiting taxi.

“Where to?” the driverasked.

Elodie looked at Chance. “Your place.”

He grinned. His place it was. For thefucking.

Valentine’s just got a hellof a lot more interesting, and it had already been his favoriteholiday.

Chapter 3

Elodie tried not to thinkherself out of her decision all the way to Chance’s apartment. Ithelped that he’d teased his hands up her thighs a tiny bit morewith each passing block until he was so close to where shethrobbed, but not close enough, that she wanted to drag the touchhigher. Because she wanted this. Truly, she did.

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