Page 28 of Sprite Wedding
My muscles remained tense as I gauged the situation. She hadn’t shared the details of their relationship, so I prodded, “Were your families close?”
The elf chuckled, briefly dragging his gaze to me. “Oh, we were much more than that. We were each other’s first loves.” I perceived the way his gaze locked on mine as a challenge. “You know what they say about your firsts—you never forget them.”
I stood straighter as if a hot rod melded to my spine. He must be the ex who’d broken her heart, leaving her after she’d faced so much anguish with demons tearing her family apart. He wasn’t there for her the way he should have been. The wayIwould have been. The way I would always be for her.
I stared down at him. “Young love is fickle. You lack the experience to know who or what you want.”
Tension rose between us like steam from a subway grate. A humorless smile lingered on his face as he returned to Zoe.
“What are you doing here?” Zoe asked.
“I told you I was thinking about stopping in Salem on the way home.” He spread his arms wide and beamed at her. “Here I am.”
Bugger. They’d had a conversation, which she’d kept from me. When had it happened?
“I thought you’d be home by now,” she replied, adjusting her stance from one foot to the other.
“No, I decided to stay longer. I’m in no rush.” His eyes sparkled as he leaned closer to my mate. “Besides, now I’m glad I stayed longer as it gave me another chance to see you.”
What the Hades Crazies was going on? Was this little dude seriously hitting on my girl in front of me?
And although I towered over him, he didn’t appear to perceive me as a challenge. I stepped closer to him, trying to keep my cool while my dragon pushed me to take him down by tooth or claw. Or maybe smoke him out with a gust of fire.
No, I’m not going to instigate a fight like a jealous madman.
Zoe’s gaze darted about as if seeking a way out of this situation.
I took Zoe’s hand. “Ready to go home, babe?”
She nodded. Technically, it wasn’tourhome, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Bye, Bryan. I hope you enjoy your visit.”
I took her hand and led her away from him.
He called after us, “I will—especially if we meet again, Zoe.”
I froze and turned over my shoulder, glaring at the cocky little dude.
Zoe squeezed my hand and muttered, “That’s not going to happen. Don’t worry about it. Let’s go.”
Home with my mate. Yes, that was better than an altercation.
After giving him one more seething glare, I turned back to Zoe. “Right. I promised you dessert in bed.” I spoke in a sensual tone that hinted at the not-so-innocent things on my mind. “And I’m thinking of something extra delicious tonight.”
With that last line, I strode away with Zoe, not bothering to look back at the arrogant elf who was likely seething with disappointment.
She wasmine.
CHAPTER8
ZOE
Dodging daggers, what timing. Why did we have to run into Bryan leaving the restaurant? And why did he have to posture like that, stoking Lucas’s possessiveness?
Lucas didn’t say much en route to his place, which was uncharacteristic for him. Ever since we’d returned to his house, he’d been unable to sit still. Even Shadow had enough of Lucas’s restlessness on the sofa and relocated to a spot on the rug.
“That’s the guy you were in a relationship with?” His tone sounded strained as if forcing himself to sound neutral, but his jaw twitched.
