Page 56 of Elf Shot

"Stay with me," Arne said quickly. He looked over at where Freya and Bayn and the others were laughing and drinking. "They are going to need her apartment so there won't be room for us."

"True." Layla's lips twitched. She looked about at the crowded club. "I'm about tapped out with the noise and people. Do you want to get out of here?"

Arne took her hand. "More than anything. Should we tell them?"

"Nah, let them wonder where we've gone. If they get angry about it, I'll just say it was your idea to sneak out," Layla replied, placing her empty glass on the bar. "You're just such a bad influence on me. I was so well behaved until you came along."

Arne laughed. "I think you just needed some good enough excuses to rebel."

"Or one really handsome one," Layla replied and pulled him into the crowd towards the exit.

Happiness bloomed in his chest, and Arne wondered what else he could bring out in her.

23

They detoured past Freya's to grab Layla's bags before they headed back to Arne's apartment. Arne didn't let go of her hand the whole time, and there was an easiness in it that Layla didn't expect.

That feeling vanished as soon as she stepped into his home and anticipation coiled inside of her. Layla shouldn't have been surprised that it was stylish in a way that only Scandinavia could be—lots of warm wood surfaces, and dark maroons and blues that gave everything a masculine feel.

"Nice place," she said, eyes gravitating to the bookshelves.

"You seem surprised," Arne said, taking off his leather jacket and rolling up his sleeves. Layla stared at his masculine forearms a little bit too long.

"Ah, no? Not surprised. Just happy you're a clean person because I don't like a mess," she stammered out. He helped her out of her jacket, and the gesture made her even more flustered. She wished she had one seductive bone in her body instead of saying the first thing in the front of her mind.

Take what you want, Layla. She could totally do this.

"Layla? What's wrong? You've gone adorably red," Arne asked, a slow smile creeping along his face. "Are you having naughty thoughts?"

"I'm allowed to," she replied.

Arne went over to a fireplace and turned it on, the flames leaping to life. He lifted a decanter. "Drink?"

"Yes. Good idea," Layla replied. Maybe some alcohol would make her feel braver.

Arne passed her a glass. "The elves make this vodka. Let me know what you think of it."

"Elves who make vodka. Be still my beating heart," Layla replied and sipped. It was smooth as silk down her throat, leaving a burning taste of berries on her tongue. "Ohh, what is that?"

"Cloud berries," Arne replied. He brushed his thumb over her cheek. "Why don't you tell me what has you so nervous all of a sudden, hmm?"

Layla took another sip. Fuck it. She was a big girl; she could say words. Nope. She had a bigger mouthful of vodka. "Ithinkweshouldhavesex," she said without taking a breath.

Arne's glass paused halfway to his mouth. "Did… Did I just hear you say we should have sex? Layla Ironwood. I'm speechless."

Layla was so red she was sure she was hotter than the fire beside them. "You can say no."

"I'm absolutely not going to say no. Though I'm curious to know what's brought this on."

Layla gestured at him. "All that you're rocking isn't enough? I mean, have you looked at yourself in a mirror lately?"

"Layla," he said, a touch of a command in his tone. Fuck, the way he said her name like that made her melt.

"I want you, okay? I told you at the club, I'm bad at asking for what I want, especially when it comes to sex." Layla tried not to fidget, but she still did anyway. "I did a lot of thinking today, and I do really want to give this—us—a chance, and that also means I have to get over certain hang ups, and that includes having sex."

Two fingers slid along her jaw, and Arne tilted her chin up, so she was forced to look at him. His golden eyes were simmering with a desire that made her breath catch.

"In the club, you said you wanted me in control," he said, voice dropping. "Is that what you would like?"

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