Page 55 of Elf Shot

"What the Hel, Arne? I was just saying hello," the blonde-haired Viking complained.

Arne bopped him on the nose. "Mine."

"Then how about you bring someone in who's single for once?" Von complained.

Arne ignored him, turning to a still grinning Layla. "You came."

"You were very convincing." Layla sipped her martini. "And I really want an elvish bow for my collection. Will you dress up as Galadriel when you give it to me?"

"All depends. Will you dress up as Legolas?" he replied, moving into her space. Layla bit her bottom lip, her cheeks flushing.

"Wow. This is the nerdiest foreplay I've ever seen," Imogen said, leaning against the bar. "If you start stroking his pointed ears and purring, I'm out."

Layla's brown eyes flicked to the ears in question. "I do like your pointy bits."

"I know," Arne replied. His fingers brushed against hers, the small contact sending a thrill up his arm.

Imogen let out a loud laugh. "You two are gross. I'm going to find Arawan and kiss his face."

"And you say we are gross," Layla replied. Imogen made kissing faces at her and vanished in the crowd. Freya and Von had already gone somewhere.

"Imogen and Freya hounding me for details about us was so damn exhausting. A few weeks away, and I forgot how loud and pushy my family is," Layla said. She surprised Arne by leaning her head against his chest. "I can honestly say I'm ready to run away to the elves just for the peace and quiet."

Arne put his arms around her, his fingers skimming underneath her black lace top to touch her soft skin. "Me too. I like the idea of having you to myself without any fae princes interfering to growl or hiss at me whenever I look at you."

Layla lifted her head, her hand resting on his stomach. "Really? And how are you looking at me that they would feel the need to growl at you?"

"Possessively," Arne admitted. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I'm happy to have this go as slow as you need, vennen, but make no mistake. I'm not going to give up until I've claimed you."

Layla's hand clenched the fabric of his shirt. "That sounds like a threat."

"A threat, a promise, a vow, take your pick." Arne skimmed his lips over the soft curve of her ear. "It all means the same thing."

"So the emotional confessions and fan girling last night didn't turn you off?" She sounded so vulnerable like she was worried he would reject her over such things.

"There's nothing about you that turns me off," Arne assured her. He could spend all night telling her the ways he admired her. He didn't want to scare her away again, and she seemed to find it hard to take a compliment at the best of times.

Layla tilted her head a little, giving him her throat in a submissive gesture that had his dick hardening and the beast side of him growling with approval.

Arne pressed a kiss to her fluttering pulse and breathed in her warm scent. Layla made a soft whimpering sound, and it made him want to pin her down on the nearest table and see what other sounds he could get her to make. She was going to drive him crazy, and he would happily embrace insanity.

"I'm scared what will happen if I give into this," Layla admitted.

"I know." Arne pressed a line of soft kisses over the curve of her jaw. "I'll give you whatever you need to reassure you that I'm not going to hurt you, Layla. I only need the opportunity."

Layla didn't look at him, but she did curl closer until she was pressed into his chest. "I'm…I'm really bad at asking for things that I want, so you'll just have to be patient with me, okay?" she admitted, her hand drifting under his shirt.

"I will be, vennen. If you want anything from me, you don't even have to ask. Just take it if it's easier for you. I'll give it to you."

Layla rose up on her tip toes and kissed him, her full lips maddeningly soft against his. "What if I want you to be in control because I don't want to be?"

"Fuck, Layla. Be careful what you offer me in public," Arne groaned and ground against her so she could feel how hard he was. "This will be problematic if you keep talking."

Layla laughed huskily. "Maybe I just want to give you something to think about, like you did to me today."

"And did you think about me?" he asked with a wicked smile.

"Maybe a little." Layla glanced up at him. "Do you still think it's a good idea to spend the night together? We do have an early start after all."

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