Page 65 of Witch Unexpected
Astri fixed a totally fake smile on me. “Oh, hi.”
I was no fool; I recognized the possessive way she gripped Leif’s arm and sidled up to him. Frankly, I didn’t give a shit. She could hump him right here for all I cared, but the way she was stealth dagger-eyeing me told me she expected some kind of response from me.I dunno. Jealousy, perhaps?
My stomach grumbled. “Fuck, I need food.” I grinned up at Leif. “Catch you later?”
He looked down at me with an unfathomable expression, then extricated himself from Astri and gently gripped my elbow.
“Why later?” he asked. “This meet is about getting to know you. So, allow me to do that.”
Astri looked stunned. “Leif, I thought we were—”
Leif sliced a sharp look Astri’s way. “You’ll put your name forward like everyone else, Astri. I’ll make my choice when I’m good and ready.” His attention swung back to me, and he missed the flash of anger on her face.
I didn’t, though. I recognized a potential problem when I saw it, and Astri was exactly that. A potential problem.
* * *
Rune stayedby my side as we made our way outside with a plate of food and some drinks.
“Over here.” Leif led me to the seating area where someone had lit the fire pit.
Rune sat by my feet and dropped his head onto his paws. He looked perfectly relaxed and at ease, but there was no doubt in my mind that he was ready to defend or attack at any moment.
I set my plate on the bench between Leif and me. He’d piled it with ribs and barbecue chicken wings, and I was perfectly happy with that.
He started at the food now with a slight frown on his face. “Shit, did you want some salad with this? Bread? Potatoes?”
“Nah.” I picked up a chicken wing. “I like meat.”
“Do you now?” He pressed his lips together. “Sorry.”
I tore a hunk off and chewed. “You have a dirty mind, dude.”
“Yes. Yes, I do. I was hoping to hide that fact for a little longer, but now the cat’s out of the bag.” He reached out and swiped the pad of his thumb across the corner of my mouth. “I have a dirty mind, and you have a dirty mouth.”
He popped his thumb in his mouth and sucked it clean, and my lady bits throbbed.
I shook my head. “I think I need to reassess my evaluation of you, Leif. You come across all serious and business, but you have some moves.”
He let out a bark of laughter. “And you don’t hold back, do you?”
I shrugged and reached for more chicken. “Nope. But I guess that’s something you’ll learn about me in due course.”
“Did Charlotte explain the bond to you?”
“Yeah, she did.” I set the chicken down. “And we need to talk about that.” I looked down at Rune. “You too, Rune. This concerns you both.”
“Okay?” Leif looked worried.
“I know Charlotte has this…dynamicwith her guys. I mean, it’s obvious they’re in love.”
Leif smiled softly. “They are. Very much so.:”
“But that’s not going to happen with us.”
He arched a brow. “Don’t tell me, you have a crystal ball?”
I bit back a smile. “No. I mean this whole fall-in-love-but-can’t-consummate deal. And then the whole, breaking up of it once the new anchor takes over… Nah, not for me. I saw the pain in Charlotte’s eyes. The wolves will find new mates, and the connection they had with her will die, and that sucks. I’m not putting myself through it.”
