Page 18 of Slaying With Sylphs (Haven Ever After #6)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

LOU

“ R ight there, Lou,” Bellami directs as I lift a mushroom the size of a throw pillow above my head. I hold my breath as I set it down on the top layer of logs. Somehow, the gnomes managed to place three additional “stories” since I helped them a day or two ago.

Bellami appears on the top log and brings out a compass, checking something. Shaking his head, he turns to me. “Nah. Move it so the door faces that way a little more.” He points toward the sidewalk outside gnome village.

I don’t bother grumbling anymore about his obsession with directions. It’s important to the gnomes, and they asked for my help, so here we are. Reaching high above my head, I grasp the mushroom by the front door hole and tug it slightly to the left. Bellami waves his hand for me to continue going until it’s far enough.

“Right there, that’s it! Stop!” He beams at me with a tiny thumbs-up. His gaze softens at the edges. “You’re doing a great job, Lou. Thank you.”

I feign shock, throwing a hand over my heart. “A compliment, Bellami? I don’t think you’ve ever given me one of those.”

He rolls his eyes, crossing his chubby arms over his broad chest. “Enjoy it. I won’t make a habit of it.” Without another word, he hops off the top story and onto my shoulder.

I’ve gotten accustomed to the gnomes assuming my taller frame is a ladder. It seems like the second I agreed to come into gnome village, that was a given. Another tiny male crawls up my leg to join Bellami on my shoulder. The snarky comment on the tip of my tongue dies as they stare at the mushroom.

“It’s perfect,” the second male, Penn, says. I resist the urge to look over at them and see what they’re doing. So I stand quietly while they stare at the mushroom. Bellami uses my ear like a handle, holding himself steady.

“It’s the perfect spot for a family,” Penn continues, his tone soft.

“It really is,” Bellami returns, his tone thoughtful and tender.

The next sound is definitely a kiss. The second it sounds spicy, I whip my head toward them. “Are you two making out on my fricking shoulder?”

Bellami removes his tongue from Penn’s mouth and gives me a superior look. “Just celebrating with my husband, thank you, Lou.”

“I’m gonna have to put my foot down,” I bark. “I put up with y’all using my body like a ladder, but I have to insist I not become a mattress.”

Bellami pinches my ear and hisses like a cat. Then he grabs Penn’s hand as they leap off my shoulder and land on the flat part of the log next to where I placed the mushroom. He slips an arm around Penn and levels a glare at me. “We weren’t gonna have sex on your shoulder, Lou, it was just a kiss. Geez, are all humans so…” He waves his hand dismissively at my body.

I lean forward, matching his expression. “Choose your words carefully, Bellami. I might not lift the next mushie, you teeny little terror.”

Penn beams at me while his husband and I have a little standoff. After a beat, he clasps his tiny hands together and releases a happy sigh. “Gosh, it’s so fun watching you two together. Lou’s just a big ole overgrown gnome at heart. The banter, the sarcasm. I absolutely love it.”

“This is the strangest conversation I’ve ever had,” I admit, planting my hands on my hips. My sarcasm is a protective barrier I use to keep my heart safe. I think humans sometimes find it too much, although my nieces love me despite it. And my sister Caroline did too.

My heart pangs thinking about her and the box of letters in my room. One day, I might give them to the girls to read.

Penn smiles at me. “I heard through the gnome-vine that you’ve got a date tonight. A double date, if my sources are correct.”

I snort. “The gnome-vine? Is that like the grapevine?”

He chuckles. “Yeah. Gnomes always have the best gossip because we’re so small, we’re practically invisible to larger monsters. It’s a benefit of our size. Also, we’re not gossipy anywhere but amongst ourselves, and you are, well, among us.”

I grin and lean forward, hoping he’ll ignore how I haven’t answered his question. “So you’ve got the hot goss about everyone in town? Is that what you’re saying?” When his smile grows wicked, I gasp. “Oh my gods, Penn. Tell me everything.”

“I’ll make you a deal,” Penn says with a sweet smile. “Come back and tell us how your date went, and I’ll tell you something shocking about someone in town.”

Damn. That’s a trade for sure because I have no idea how to navigate a dinner date with two monster males. Much less if they’d care if I tell the entire gnome village about it. Ultimately, I decide I love secrets, and I want to know them.

“Fine, but I will not be answering twenty questions.” I wag my finger at the diminutive males. “Understood?”

“That’s fine,” Penn says as Bellami rests his head against his husband’s shoulder. “Have a lovely evening, Lou.”

“Get outta here,” Bellami barks, pleasant as ever.

I reach out and thump his pointy hat off his head. He gasps and sputters as Penn laughs.

“Bye, boys.” I wave.

Turning, I make my way cautiously along the gnome village path, admiring how cute the whole thing is turning out. Crews work diligently to bring more mushroom homes and supplies into the space. The way they work together is fascinating, and despite their generally grumpy nature, I feel at home here.

Smiling, I step onto the sidewalk and head toward the Annabelle Inn to get changed for my date.

“ Y es, girl,” Morgan says with a slow clap as I execute a spin in my wrap dress. Her gray eyes flash with excitement. “Those boys are gonna lose their minds. Your tits look amazing in that dress.”

“Thanks for letting me borrow it,” I chirp, turning to the mirror to admire the look. Morgan’s right, the pale dress is made of the creamiest fabric, and I look hot as hell.

I didn’t bring any date-appropriate clothes to Ever. I got the text from my nieces that they’d come here, and I knew what they’d found—a monster haven. I threw four outfits in my bag and rushed to get to my girls. I haven’t been willing to part with them long enough to go back to my apartment and grab stuff. Since time passes more slowly outside the wards, if I left for a day to grab my shit, I’d miss a whole month inside the haven.

Date-night clothes aren’t worth losing time with my people. But this dress? Oh yeah, this is worth something.

Morgan hops off the bed and grabs my hand. “Okay, Auntie, you’re ready. I’m gonna walk you to Sycamore and then meet Abe at the Green Bean for burgers.”

I snort and pinch her side. “You finally let that male out of the bedroom?”

Morgan laughs and pulls my bedroom door open. “I need to eat sometimes, and Alba makes the best burger I’ve ever had. Shepherd said that when we first came here, but it’s true. She must put butter in it. I can’t tell. All I know is I have to have one.”

Together, we leave the Annabelle. The Inn ripples her siding and waggles her white shutters at us. Waving goodbye, we walk past the Community Garden and head toward Main Street. I drop my niece off at the Green Bean. But just as I turn up Sycamore to head for Shifter Hollow, an appreciative whistle stops me in my tracks. Prepared to shout at whoever it is, I whip around to find Lola fanning herself as she walks up behind me.

Inky black eyes drift to my feet and back up again as berry-red lips split into a grin. “Lookin’ hot, Lou. Let me guess, you’re going on another date?”

I lean in, not sure how I feel about the whole street hearing about my date plans. Plus, I don’t know if Connall has even told anyone about our current state of affairs, even though I secretively-ish spilled the beans to the girls already. It sort of feels like tonight’s the night where we’ll discuss that, because everything else has happened more privately.

“Yeah.” That’s all I say.

Lola crosses her arms and cocks one hip to the side. “Girl, you’re gonna need to give me more than that. Spill it. You look gorgeous, and I’m just going to needle you to death about it if you don’t tell me now.”

“Okay, okay.” I gesture for her to keep her voice down. “I’m headed to Connall’s place, but keep it to yourself. We still haven’t told a lot of people.”

“His place is super cute; you’re gonna love it,” she says. “It’s the perfect blend of masculine and pretty. He’s got a great view, too, because he opted for one of the higher-up locations.”

My mind spins with ideas, wondering what his place will look like.

“Earth to Lou.” Lola rubs my shoulder. “I’ll let you get going, but I better get the rundown. I’m dying to know everything about this—” she waves a hand at me, “—arrangement.”

My mouth goes dry as I consider what I could possibly say. I don’t know if polyamory is common among wolves. Even in the human world, it’s not a new concept, but it’s not super commonplace in my experience either. I’ve never been in a polyamorous relationship, although I had a couple friends who were in one. And then I have no idea what’s normal for sylphs.

I bump her hip with mine. “I’ll plan breakfast with my girls again tomorrow or the next day, like before. Come with us again? I’ll spill all the beans.”

“Oh yes,” she says with a grin. “Just call me when you know which day.”

“It won’t even be breakfast,” I say with a laugh. “We don’t go until like ten a.m. because Morgan’s not an early riser.”

She winks at me. “Bet not with all the shenanigans she and Abe get into.” She smiles and waves goodbye, turning to walk back up the street toward Bad Axe, the bar her mate, Richard, owns.

She doesn't know half the shenanigans my niece and her mate get into. Some of the stories Morgan’s told me are shocking even when one does know about sexy vampire habits.

Shrugging all that aside, I head up Sycamore Street until I reach the last crescent-shaped street that leads off Sycamore. I follow it to the right until I get to the very end. Connall’s the last house on the left, and beyond that is pure, deep and verdant forest. I smooth my wrap dress down again, wiping my sweaty palms on my hips as I stare at a front door wide and tall enough for a centaur or pegasus to go through.

As I lift my hand to knock, the door swings inward. Connall appears in the empty space with a slight smile. He throws a navy rag over his shoulder and reaches for me with his free hand.

I allow him to pull me into the entryway, but he spins me around. When our eyes meet, his flash with his wolf’s emerald shade, his wolf so close to the surface.

“You look stunning,” he growls, his voice rough. The lower-than-usual tone makes everything in my body tighten.

Connall cants his head to one side and sucks in a deep, slow breath. “So good,” he breathes.

For a long moment, I stare into his eyes, wondering what his wolf thinks of the puny human standing in his doorway. Except Connall has never said a single thing to make me feel less than for not being a wolf, or at least some kind of other cool monster.

“Does it bother you that I have no wolf?” I blurt out the thought before I can even stop myself. Gah. Why the fuck did I say that?

Connall takes a step closer, sliding his hand along my hip. He uses the touch to push me back against the curved inner wall. Dipping down, he brushes his mouth softly against mine.

“I haven’t been as direct as usual with you because of the way this came about. Let me be direct now.” His free hand slides up my chest, his fingers curling around my throat. When he talks, it’s like he’s breathing the words right into my lips. “I couldn’t possibly want you any more than I do. There is no deeper level of desire or excitement I could feel to pursue you. And while some of this is new to me, I’m absolutely on board, Lou. With all of it. I want to know everything about you, to learn everything about you.”

My chest heaves, breath coming in stilted gasps at having his soft lips so close to mine. Gods, I need to be kissed.

The moment I think it, he bends lower and takes my mouth. The first swipe of his tongue is slow, languid, just a tease that reminds me of our so-called therapy session.

But his next pass is dominating, his tongue licking along mine as he slants his mouth over my lips. His lips are rough, and when he slides both hands to my ass and parts my thighs, pulling me into his arms and slamming us against the wall, I groan into his mouth.

My groan unleashes him, the kiss growing heated and wild as my hands roam his chest, his neck, up into that gorgeous wavy hair. He ravages my mouth, big hips pistoning against me as one hand slides to my ass and squeezes fucking hard.

I gasp. He nips my lower lip and pulls, growling into the bite as I pant and rock my hips against him. I need more than this. I need all of it. I desperately, desperately need to know what Connall’s like in bed. Because, I’ll admit, the thoughtful, kind, quiet male I’ve seen doesn’t quite line up with this godsdamn kiss.

Fuck, was I wrong. Because Connall said he was dominant, and he is, based on how he’s treated our interactions. I don’t know for sure if monsters think about Doms and subs the way humans do, or if they even have the same names for those roles. But when he pulls back, licking a soft path along the bite on my lip, I decide it’s one of the many things I want to ask during our get-to-know-each-other date tonight.

“More,” I whisper. “Give me more.”

Connall lets out a hard, ragged groan and pulls back, brushing his thumb over my lower lip. It’s tender from his bite. “If I don’t stop now, we’ll never make it to dinner.”

“Screw dinner,” I state simply, leaning down to rub my open mouth along his palm and fingers. I suck the tip of his forefinger into my mouth, biting as I swirl my tongue around the thick digit.

Green eyes flash a darker color as Connall watches me, nostrils flared, big chest rising and falling with deep breaths. He looks on the verge of combusting, or demanding something. But then he smiles and sets me on my feet on the ground.

“Sassy females don’t get what they want the moment they ask for it.” He leans down until his mouth hovers just above mine and places his finger under my chin, tilting my gaze up to meet his. “I like teasing you, Sweetheart. Not to mention, you still owe me a few inches, but I think I’ll let you pay up a little later.”

My pussy clenches on nothing, desperation clawing at me. But I shove it down. I’m not gonna beg a man for dick.

But then the side of my personality that loves to challenge and win rears her ugly head. I lift my chin away from his touch and slip around him so we’re a few feet apart.

I smile wickedly. “I know someone who’ll give me what I want, if you won’t.”

Auburn brows travel skyward as he straightens, rolling both beefy shoulders backward. He regards me for a long moment, then the corners of his mouth turn up into a grin that matches mine.

“You sure that’s how you wanna play this, Lou?” He slips both hands into his jeans pockets, accentuating the bulging erection between his thighs.

But I’m not a quitter, and I don’t back down. “Absolutely, Connall.”

He takes a step closer, then another, backing me against the wall once more. His body is hot against mine, the faintest tease of his chest hair peeking out from the top of his shirt.

He slips a hand out from his pocket and grabs mine. After pulling it down between us, he rubs my palm over his rigid length. I hold back a groan at how fucking thick and hard he is, his knot tangible even his jeans.

He leans down and brings his mouth to my ear. “You’re gonna beg for this, Lou, and I’m not gonna give it to you until you apologize for being a brat.”

“Never,” I state, even as my fingers curl around him to stroke. Playing with Connall is exactly as fun as I thought it would be. The bratty dynamic suits us. Hot damn does it suit us.

He lets out a rough laugh and removes my hand from him, placing it by my side. Turning from me, he pauses just long enough to glance over his shoulder. “C’mon, pretty girl. I need to finish dinner.”

Without another word, he stalks up a short ramp from the round entryway.

Grinning, I follow, staring at his gorgeous ass the whole way.

I deserve that ass. I really, really do.

And I’m gonna get it, no matter what.