Page 49 of Elf Shot

"Absolutely." Arne's smile sent warm tingles straight to her lady parts. "And I have so many plans, Layla."

"Stop that," she said, pushing a cushion into his face. "Watch the movie."

Arne pushed the cushion away and leaned over to pause the player. "Can I ask why you love it so much?"

"Honestly?" Layla thought about it. "It's the only thing I've ever felt like it belonged to me. It's kind of hard to explain, but all my siblings have their thing that they excel at. I’ve never had a special ability, like Charlotte, and I was forced to train and kill even though I'm not all that fussed on hunting, like Bron and Ciara. This fantasy world was a safe place to escape to. To rest in. I have always loved the idea of running away to Rivendell, and when everything feels like it's too much, it's still a comforting place for me to land."

"Does your family know they've made you feel this way?" Arne asked, a small frown starting on his face.

"God no. They are all too caught up in their own shit to remember I exist half the time, unless they need something. It's always been that way because I've always been the quieter, easy-going one. I’ve never been a priority to any of them," she replied. It still made her feel shit at times, even though she had accepted it. "Going to Svartalfheim and staying here is the most rebellious thing I've ever done. It's probably why they are being so dramatic about it."

"Thank you for telling me. I like hearing why people love the things they do." Arne reached out and took her hand. "And thank you for rebelling for me."

"What can I say? I got a thing for elves," she joked lamely.

Arne kissed her fingers. "I like that about you."

Blushing, Layla pressed play again before she melted into the couch. Or she climbed on top of him. It was going to be a long movie marathon.

21

Layla woke pressed into soft wool, feeling warm and content for the first time in weeks. She mumbled sleepily and slipped her hand under the blanket. Warm skin and soft hair shifted under her.

Something is different. Layla cracked open an eye and found herself curled around Arne like a touch starved koala bear. Her hand was under his sweater on his deliciously warm abs.

A part of her knew she should probably untangle herself and wake him up. That part was smothered by the sleepy part of her that wanted to stay where she was, comfortably tucked into his side.

"What time is it?" he murmured. Layla pretended to be asleep. "I know you're awake, but I'm happy for you to stay where you are."

"Coffee," she grumbled.

"There's a nice café across the street that does excellent espresso and pastry," Arne replied, rubbing her back. "You want a breakfast date?"

Layla wanted to stay where she was, but pastry was a really good argument. She rubbed her face against him, breathing him in. She shifted her leg and felt something hard against her hip.

"Not that I'm complaining, but you might want to stop grinding against me unless you want something else for breakfast," he chuckled sleepily.

Layla had never moved so fast in her life. She leaped off him and banged her knees on the coffee table on the way up.

"Shit, fuck, I'm up," she stammered.

"Breakfast pastry it is," he sighed. Arne tucked an arm behind his tousled head, his sweater riding up enough to show her the lean stomach she was just snuggled into. His grin was decadent, and her sleep-dazed state had her staring blatantly at him.

Layla shook herself. "Shower." Arne's soft laughter followed her all the way to the bathroom.

By the time Layla had a shower, put some light makeup on for vanity's sake, and dressed in 'leaving the house' clothes, Arne had used the other bathroom to clean up and was drinking coffee.

"Morning, vennen. Feeling better?" he asked.

"How far did we get in the movies before I fell asleep?" she asked with a wince.

"Paths of the Dead. I kicked on while you tried to climb into my clothes."

Layla stole his coffee and had a mouthful. "Doesn't sound like something I would do. What's your verdict?"

"On the movies or you getting into my clothes? Because I enjoyed both."

Layla laughed and tried not to blush. "There's hope for you yet, Steelsinger. I thought the elves representation would annoy you."

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