Page 14 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

But here's the thing: navigating Celestine takes time.

There were people everywhere. Holograms hindered her.

Liria had to weave around plant life that wasn't even there while avoiding thirsty men and women going to and from the bar with drinks in their hands.

Then there were the stumbling drunks and the handsy fuckers—sometimes you got a two-for-one deal.

Liria was able to cut off most of the grabby guys before they touched her—snatching their wrists and shoving them out of the way while she continued walking.

But one determined asshole wrapped a hand around her wrist instead and used it to pull her off course.

Liria gasped as he spun her away from the crowd.

“Where you off to, sexy?” he drawled.

“Not interested.” Liria tried to pry him off, but he had a strong grip. “Let go of me.”

“Hold on now. You haven't even given me a chance.”

“And she's not going to. Because she has standards,” Rennux's voice came from behind Liria. “Release her. Now.”

“Fuck off, winger!” The man pulled Liria closer. “And stay away from our women.”

“You have five seconds before I break your arm.”

Liria looked back and forth between the men, grimacing.

“I don't need you to save me.” With an annoyed huff, she elbowed the idiot who had dared to manhandle her, shoved him away while he was still grunting and bent over, and then pushed Rennux in the chest. “Did you say something to Jured? Maybe something similar to what you just said to this asshole?” Liria jerked her thumb at the groaning moron.

Rennux lifted a brow, glanced at the groaner, and asked, “Who's Jured?”

“Don't be an ass. Jured is the blond you saw me with. Did you scare him off?”

He smiled.

With both palms, she shoved Rennux in the chest again. “Who the fuck do you think you are?!”

One good thing about Celestine—you could have a shouting match in it and no one would hear you.

“Hey, what the fuck, woman?” Liria's other would-be wooer had recovered and reached for her.

Keeping her glare on Rennux, Liria shoved the asshole back and pointed in his face to keep him away. Meanwhile, she snarled at Rennux, “There is nothing between you and me. You don't have the right to interfere in my personal life. Got it?”

“No.”

“What do you mean, 'No?'” Her arm lowered as she gaped at him.

“You two are fucking insane,” the other guy muttered and left.

“Smartest thing that motherfucker has done all night.” Rennux glared after him.

“Ironic, coming from you.”

He refocused on her. “Liria, that little blond boy didn't deserve you.

What were you even thinking? For magic's sake.

Do you own a mirror? You're stunning. Look around you.

These women have to paint their faces and pad their clothing to look half as good as you do in a simple dress with a freshly washed face.

You shine, baby. You're a rare jewel in a sea of cut glass. And that guy is who you pick? No, not happening on my watch.”

Liria's jaw went slack. Had he just called her baby? And a rare jewel? What the actual fuck? She blinked. Snapped back to reality. “Oh, you're good. That's a sexy spiel you've got there. You practice that shit in the mirror?”

Rennux snorted. “Yeah, cause most women go out without makeup in a formless dress.” He waved at her.

Formless? The dress was her favorite and clung to her curves subtly without being slutty. But she wouldn't let him see that his insult had hit its target. Instead, she smirked. “Ah, there you are.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that you're a dick.” She smiled sweetly at him.

“You've got a problem with authority and respect. You insulted me and my people the very first time I spoke to you, but then you semi-apologized to me and think that banishes all the bad.” Liria snapped her fingers.

“Gone! Oh, and now, you've got it in your head that we're a couple or something.

Because we kissed. Once! I'm not sure if you're arrogant, delusional, or just plain stupid.”

“Maybe all three.” Rennux grinned at her. “But I'm also right about us. I felt something that first time. I tried to cover it up with insults because I thought you were . . .”

“You thought I was after a good time.”

“Yes, we'll go with that.” He chuckled. “But then you proved me wrong, and that gave me a chance to acknowledge my feelings.

Despite your accusation, I'm not stupid.

I'm very insightful. Always have been. Once I saw you for who you are, I knew those feelings weren't leading me wrong. You and I are going to be incredible together.”

“You told me that you'd back off until I asked you to kiss me.”

“No, I didn't. I said I would wait until you asked me to kiss you. As in; I'd wait until then to kiss you. I didn't say anything about backing off. I have to make sure that no one takes my place before you realize you're mine.”

“Yours? I don't belong to anyone, asshole!” Liria shoved his chest again.

Rennux didn't budge.

“You wanna know why I pick men like Jured?

Because I hate men like you. Pushy, arrogant motherfuckers who think that just because they're attractive, they can have any woman they want.

And in the dickhead dictionary, the definition of 'having' is ownership.

Possession. You think just because you make a woman come, she belongs to you.

And you haven't even given me an orgasm.

I can't imagine what kind of primitive alphahole you'd turn into if you did.” Liria shook her head.

“Jured may not be as muscular or handsome as you, but he respects me.

He's a good person. Not a lot of those around.

In that way, he outshines you, Aethari. You're the cut glass in my eyes.” Liria shouldered Thaxvarien out of the way and slipped into the crowd before he could stop her.