Page 10 of Elf Shot

"Wouldn't I?" Arne's lip curled as he leaned forward and whispered, "Keep fighting me and find out how far I'll go to get what I want, Ironwood."

Layla's breath caught as her body did the whole tight freeze of arousal she got way too often when he was around. Fuck, she shouldn't have had that second double.

"Your bill, miss," the waiter said, making her jump. Arne tapped his phone to the portable machine, paying before she could stop him.

"Gods, you're annoying," she muttered.

"The feeling is mutual."

Layla didn't wait for him as she got up and walked out of the restaurant. The night had gotten cool, so she buttoned her jacket up. A black BMW pulled up next to the sidewalk, and Arne opened the door for her.

"I can get my own ride," she said, rounding on him.

"But now you don't have to. There is a folder on the seat. Please familiarize yourself with its contents. This car will return to Ironwood manor tomorrow at ten a.m. sharp to take you to the airport."

Layla put her hands on her hips. "Anything else, Your Highness?"

"Yes. You have food on your face." Arne reached over and wiped his thumb over the corner of her mouth. Layla wanted to die of shame when she saw the cream on it. When he put his thumb to his mouth and sucked the cream off, she almost fainted instead. She scrambled into the car so fast, she banged her knees on the seat in front of her.

"For the love of God, drive," she begged, but the car didn't move.

Arne closed the door, and the window slid down. "If you want to know why I never told you about Vili, I suggest you be on the plane tomorrow and don't be late."

Layla was still trying to think of something to say when the car pulled away, and Arne disappeared into the night.

"Fucking elves," she grumbled, her head dropping back on the seat behind her. "No offense."

"None taken, Miss Ironwood," the driver said. "Finnmark is still cold this time of year, so I suggest you pack warmly and try not to irritate Steelsinger too much."

"Thank you for your unsolicited advice that I didn't need," she snarked.

The driver chuckled and turned up the radio. "The elves are going to love you."

4

"And then Arne was all like 'You have food on your face' and gave me some cryptic guff about if I want to know about Vili, I will be on the plane today," Layla complained loudly to Charlotte as she paced up and down the labs.

"Guff," Charlotte said with a frown. "Is that even a word? I don't think it is."

"Does it matter? My point is he's—" Layla struggled for the right word. "He's rude!"

Charlotte's brows drew together tight. "He's a prince. Have you met our brothers? They all act like that."

"Don't talk smack about my brothers. They would never force a contract on someone!"

"Ah, what about when Kian took Elise as a slave? And Bayn pretty much turned up in Freya's store and refused to leave until she agreed to work for him?"

"Shut up. You know what I mean."

"No, sis, I don't. You are rambling. How much sleep did you get?"

Layla stopped pacing and slumped down onto a swivel chair. "I don't know, like two hours. Even my trusty vibrator didn't help."

"Ew, Layla," Charlotte complained.

"What? Masturbation is healthy."

"I still don't want to hear about it." Charlotte went about gathering a few items and placing them into a pile. "Your car will be here in an hour, so let's put some supplies together. Although, it is only a summit, they are meant to be peaceful and boring."

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