Page 8 of Slaying With Sylphs (Haven Ever After #6)

CHAPTER EIGHT

CONNALL

C oming doesn’t relieve the frustration building and churning in my belly. It’s against every shifter instinct I have not to pursue Lou. Within our shared mind space, my wolf grumbles and rolls onto his side. Usually, he likes to be let out during a run so he can stretch his legs and keep his senses sharp. But since Lou arrived, he’s morose, pitiful and irritated that I’m not actively pursuing her.

I’m sorry, buddy. I’ll figure this out soon, I promise him. I’ve been considering for a few weeks what I’d tell a client in this exact situation. And while it’s true I wouldn’t encourage a friend to enter a love triangle, I’d encourage good communication.

If I knew Lou was my mate, it’d be easier. But I haven’t had a chance to get that close to her, so I can’t be sure. Plus, if she were mine, she wouldn’t pursue Dirk…right?

Or maybe she doesn’t take it very far with Dirk because she is mine.

But then, if she’s mine, and she’s dating Dirk, then what?

I’ve been considering all of that, doing what I tell my clients to do and looking at all the angles. Trying to be rational. Attempting to infuse logic into an emotionally fraught situation.

And I can only see one way through it.

I’m going to ask her on a date. I’ll say I know Dirk is interested, but it’s unclear to me what’s going on there. If she doesn’t want to go, she’ll tell me. But the thing is, I can’t be her therapist like he’s asked me to several times. It’s a conflict of interest. Even if she wanted that, it would be hard for me to be purely professional with a woman I’m interested in romantically. She’d distract me with that sharp wit and soft looking skin.

The truth is, I ache to know what she smells like, to bury my face just below her ear and kiss and suck until I find a spot that makes her squirm. A mental image of her straddling my lap in my office chair, smiling up at me, rushes to the forefront of my mind.

And just like that, I’m fucking hard again. I’ve literally blown through every toy in my closet trying to fuck my way out of being obsessed with Lou.

It’s no good. That alone is enough to make me suspect my attraction to her is more than a passing fancy. I don’t want a fling with her. I don’t want something casual.

I want time with her—a lot of time. I want to know her favorite ice cream, how she feels about living in a monster haven. I need to learn how she takes her coffee. I want all those small moments that collectively form the soul-deep knowledge of another person.

Pumping my legs, I move from my usual jog to a full-on sprint. Can I burn the need away if I run fast enough?

I’m gonna find out.

I barrel forward until the trees are a blur, ferns whipping at my legs and sides. Brown and green swirl together as I struggle to focus on patrolling, which is what I’m supposed to be doing. Soul-sucking thralls often congregate outside of Ever’s wards, and while the wards protect us, we like to stay alert for anything sneaking through. I’ve never actually found anything dangerous when I patrol, which makes it easier for my mind to wander.

Long minutes pass, my heart rate speeding up to help me push through, but it’s no use. I can’t get her out of my mind, and I’m still hard.

Irritated, I return to Shifter Hollow and head for Biergarten to sit on the porch and grab a mead. Stalking inside, I pray for the sweat to dry fast as I head for the bar. One of my clients is behind the wide wood countertop. She smiles and gives me a wry look.

“Book?”

“Book,” I confirm.

She sets a beer glass down and reaches under the bar, withdrawing a book I leave here for when I come to read.

I take it with a nod of thanks and head for the back door to the patio. Exiting the dark, sensual bar, I relish the light airiness of the outdoor area. Richard’s bar, Bad Axe, is great for a rowdy good time, but I love Biergarten for a more laid-back feel. I sit in the far back corner and order a mead.

Ten minutes later, the patio door opens, and Dirk sails through, holding it open. Lou exits and gives him a kind smile. Amber eyes flick to me and flash.

Goddess, she’s so fucking pretty.

I stop breathing as Dirk guides her in my direction. Half a dozen empty tables sit between us, but they’re coming to me. Shifting forward, I set my book down.

They’re on a date; it’s clear from the way he has his hand on her back. She’s not snarking at him to remove it like I’ve seen her do in the past. She’s allowing it, although she looks…concerned.

I resist the urge to leap over the table and rip into him. Except, when I think about it, I don’t really want that. I like Dirk. I consider him, well, almost a friend. I respect and admire him.

They stop in front of my table. Lou rubs at the back of one arm, glancing up at the sylph. He smiles at me. “Mind if we join yeh, Wolf?”

Wolf. He always calls me that. And every time he does, my wolf sits up and pays attention. It’s…disconcerting.

I settle back in my seat. I don’t understand what’s happening, but the chance to sit and have a beer with Lou is too compelling for me to say no. Without thinking, I stand and pull out a chair for her. When she steps toward it and sits, I blanch. Fuck. But when I look sheepishly at Dirk, he’s smiling at me.

This is getting stranger by the second. I’m off-kilter. I want to cater to her—even with Dirk right there.

The centaur waiter takes their drink order so I guess they’re planning to stick around for a minute.

We look at each other awkwardly. Well, Lou and I look at one another awkwardly. Dirk stares around the patio, seeming to admire its beauty and completely ignoring the fact that he brought his date to sit at a table with me.

When their beers arrive, he takes a sip and smiles, licking the rim of his glass. Somewhere inside, where I don’t want to focus too hard, something stirs. Interest. Heat. I will my still-there erection to fade.

Lou lifts her hand and nibbles at the edge of her thumb.

Something’s up.

Dirk’s smile grows broader as he sets his drink down and looks at me. “I’m officially pursuing Louanna—because I believe she’s my mate.”

My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach. Why is he telling me? Why even involve me? I’ll admit, I thought he might be aware of my interest, but this is a level of directness I was unprepared for. I sit forward and force a smile. “I’m happy for you both.” When I risk a glance at her, I can’t read the expression on her face.

Dirk leans forward and stares at me. “I’d like to do the same with you, Connall, if yeh’ll allow it.”

Lou’s mouth drops open, but she quickly zips it closed.

A moment passes.

And another.

And another.

I blink and try to process what he just said.

My brain seems unable to put his words into any meaningful order.

I clear my throat, glancing between them. “What do you mean?”

Lou begins fidgeting in her chair.

Dirk’s grin is practically feral at this point.“I want to pursue yeh both formally. I believe yeh to also be my mate, Connall, and I understand if?—”

“I don’t date men,” I say evenly. I’ve never been interested in a man in my entire life.

But Dirk’s smile goes soft at the corners. “Savin’ yerself for me, I see. Love that.”

“That’s not what I meant.” I run both hands through my hair.

“O’ course.” Dirk lifts his beer glass and takes another long sip. I watch his throat bob as he swallows, and heat flushes through me again. Goddess Alaya help me process this.

“I need to think,” I blurt lamely. “This is all very sudden.”

“Take all the time you need,” he says quietly. “Well, until tomorrow, because tomorrow I begin my formal pursuit of you, Connall. Same as Louanna.”

“Dirk, chill out!” Lou snaps. “This is a lot to absorb, okay? Jesus.”

“Och, Louanna, things will work out,” Dirk vows. “Let me get yeh home, my sweet. Tomorrow’s another day and another date.” He rises from his chair, winks at me, and heads toward the door.

Lou stands and gives me a shy look, something I’m so unused to seeing on her elegant features. Reaching down, she places her hand on top of mine. “He sprang this news on me today, too. What a weirdo.” A soft smile tips her plump lips upward. “I don’t know where it’ll lead but I think you and I might be feeling some of the same things, mostly shock and probably a degree of uncomfortableness. But now that I’ve had a minute to sit with it, I hope you’ll consider it. Maybe just a date to see?”

Heat flares through me. Is she saying what I think she’s saying?

I flip my hand over, and she strokes my palm gently. Amber eyes come to mine as she gives me a genuine smile. My wolf is fascinated, pressing forward to stare at her.

She removes her fingers and clasps her hands at her waist. “Enjoy your book, Connall.” Her scent explodes across my senses, and I can’t help but rise and bring my cheek to hers to rub affectionately.

“Oh,” she says, a strangled noise coming from her throat. But after a moment, she rubs back.

Dirk is quiet, but when I glance at him, he points to his cheek expectantly.

“Ugh, dude!” Lou shoves him toward the door. “Give him some damn space, you rude-ass Peeping Tom.”

It’s not until they leave and I pick up my book again that I think back on what she said.

Peeping Tom ? What the hells is that? I resolve to go home and search it on the internet in case it’s important.