Page 5 of Fritillaria

Now I have a drunk snake man trying to get into my studio.

My stomach does a flip at the sight of him though.

Aspis.

I haven’t met him in person before, only on video calls, so I didn’t know that he was a Naga. You’d think it would be off putting to see the giant snake tail emerging from underneath his shirt and trailing at least five feet behind him. But it surprisingly suits him. I try to avert my eyes, catching myself staring at the dark green scales with a golden sheen.

Aspis is also far more attractive in person, and I thought he was hot on video. Bright green eyes and a five o’clock shadow on that delicious jawline.

He knocked, but now he’s just staring at me. It’s not creepy, exactly, but it is pretty weird.

“How long do you feel like wasting my time?” I challenge, with a smirk.

His confusion is plain on his face, those dark brows furrowing in question. Or was he just not buffering quick enough?

“You drunk?” I ask. “The party is back that way. I have work to do.”

Aspis holds out a hand to stop the door as I start to close it.

“Wait! Sorry, I just—” He runs his other hand through his luscious hair and my stomach does another flip. “Mate. You’re my mate.”

Nope.

Absolutely not.

We are not playing this game.

“You’re mistaken.”

He still doesn’t let me close the door, his elbow locked in place and blocking me from safety. Why did this have to happen? Right now of all times?

I have an album to write, I have so much that I need to do. Besides, I was not going to believe some crockpot about predetermined mates.

He’s flustered, and not at all the charming male I have known him to be up until now.

“I smelled you. And, I’m sorry, but I had to know who you were so I followed you down here.”

Aspis moves towards me as if he means to hug me or come into the studio space. I can’t help but step back and flinch at the attempted contact.

“Shit.” He sobers instantly. “I’m sorry. I just— I’m excited and I’m getting carried away and not respecting your space.”

“Listen,” I try to keep any inflection out of my voice to make this as impersonal as possible. “I’m not interested in having a mate. So if you would please let me get back to work, that would be great.”

“But it’s not just me!”

God, can this guy give me a fucking break?

“Matilda— I, I scented Matilda too at the same time. It’s all three of us, Ivy.”

Oh boy, I am not excited about how good my name sounds when he says it. That is not happening.

But Matilda? She’s my friend. My only friend in this place, really.

But no, I don’t want a mate. I don’t need a mate. I especially don’t needtwoof them.

“Please, leave me alone.” His arm finally relaxes its hold and I can move the door again. “Just go back to the party and chat with Matilda, see if she’s interested. But I’m not.”

Shutting the door in his face, I lean back against it and survey the mess of my work from the day.

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