Page 4 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)
I was still having moments of disappointment.
The way Loki greeted me, barely nodding and staring through me, made my heart sink.
I guess my imagination played tricks on me.
Not wanting to be caught staring at Loki adoringly, I deliberately turned so my back was to him.
I proceeded to greet more and more people, and Mom and Rage, along with Wrath, made introductions to the ones I didn’t know.
This trip was Jalisa’s first time meeting many of them as well.
A few hours had passed. I’d lost Chaos a while ago, but scanning around me, I saw him headed toward me. He wore an upset expression. I rushed over to him. “What’s wrong, Chaos?” I asked.
He glanced around to see if anyone was close by.
I guess he thought so because he latched onto my arm and pulled me to the side of the clubhouse.
I noted a few pairs of eyes on us. There was only one who I wanted to be stared at for any reason, and he didn’t know I was alive.
Crushing sadness hit. This trip had at least solved one thing.
I was no longer in doubt that Loki wanted nothing to do with me.
I shoved that depressing thought away to concentrate on Chaos.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered.
“Tell you what?”
“That you have feelings for Loki,” he muttered.
Panic hit me, but I fought to hide it. I gave Chaos an amused smile. “Chaos, I think you’ve drunk too much.”
“No, I haven’t. You can lie and fool most people, but not me. Why didn’t you say anything?” he hissed.
I went to push past him, but he held me there. His touch didn’t hurt, but it was firm. As I stared up at him, I sighed. I glanced around to be sure no one was nearby. When I saw they weren’t, though we were still being watched, I answered him.
“Because it’s nothing but a stupid infatuation. One that I’m too old for. Believe me, I’m over it. Can you let go, now, please?”
“Why do you call it stupid and say you’re getting over it?”
“Come on, do I have to say it? Loki doesn’t even know I exist. He doesn’t even like me. Go ahead, tell me what an idiot I am, and laugh—a grown woman acting like a lovesick teenager. Believe me, I will forget about him as soon as possible,” I snapped.
“So you think he doesn’t have feelings for you? That he doesn’t want you. You’re not stupid, Brae. And you can’t help who you’re attracted to.”
I snorted. “Yeah, sure, he’s attracted. See him hanging all over me. Let me go. I need a drink.”
I went to push past him, but Chaos trapped me against the wall. His arms caged me in. Chaos was a very attractive man. I wasn’t blind, but he didn’t stir anything in me. He was another pseudo-brother. I watched as a wicked grin spread across his handsome face.
“Wanna play a game with me, Brae?”
“What kind of game?” I asked.
The guys in the Oconee chapter knew I wasn’t one to back down from challenges, and I loved to match wits with them and others. It fed something inside me. I had no idea where it came from.
His hand came up to caress my cheek. “We’ll see just how uninterested Loki is. I bet if he thinks you’re being wooed away, he’ll take notice. I wonder if he’ll be able to maintain his mask of indifference. How long do you think he can last before he breaks and comes charging in to declare himself?”
“You’re either drunk or crazy, Chaos. Loki will never do that. Stop. Let’s go get a drink,” I urged him.
“No, do you accept the game? If he doesn’t stake a claim, I’ll shut up about him and help you at the soup kitchen once a week for three months.”
Excitement hit me. I’d been trying to get someone to go with me to help. Everyone was willing to donate money, but the homeless needed time and human interaction. The Pagans were sweethearts who helped many, but this wasn’t one of the ways they did it.
“And if he does, what will you demand?”
“If he does, you’ll give him a chance to make something permanent with you. That means if he asks, you move to Hunters Creek.”
I knew my mouth was hanging open in astonishment. It took a few moments for me to voice my thoughts. “And why would that matter to you?”
“I want you to open yourself up. You’re gorgeous, smart, and fun, to name just a few things about you.
You deserve to have happiness, just as Betty does.
And while I love you, it’s not as more than a sister, like you love me as a brother.
I don’t know why fate made it that way. If it hadn’t, I would be the one chasing you,” he confessed.
“Chaos, are you serious?”
“I am. I know that we want you to be loved, cared for, and safe. That’s best achieved if you’re with a biker in our club or one of the ones we trust. You see all of us in Oconee as family.
If Loki doesn’t step up, there are others to consider.
I saw more than a few single members from the Warriors and Marauders checking you out.
And it wasn’t all just for sex. You have nothing to lose.
If he doesn’t declare himself, you’ll save face from anyone else thinking you like him.
And if he does, you may just find someone to spend your life with.
I have no doubt he can be faithful and caring.
He just needs the right woman to shower his attention and love on. ”
As I studied him, I knew I would play the game. He was right. I had nothing to lose, and I would at least not be embarrassed about having unrequited feelings. The last thing I could stand was for our friends and family to feel sorry for me. I smirked. I saw his grin reappear.
“Well, what’re you waiting for? Prove he does. But no crying when you lose, and we’re at the soup kitchen. Make sure to wear comfy clothing and footwear. You’ll be on your feet a lot.” I playfully poked him in the chest.
The next thing I knew, he had me wrapped in his arms, his head lowered to my neck.
The way we were standing, it would appear that he was whispering in my ear or possibly kissing me.
I heard him growl, and he whispered, “Laugh.” I did without a thought.
It was so ludicrous that I couldn’t help myself.