I considered going to see Tiffany, but I didn’t want the weird looks or to push through the crowd to reach my fellow snake. So instead, I grabbed a glass of champagne from a tray and ducked inside the house for some quiet. I needed the break from the judgmental stares and, even worse, from Mason introducing me as his friend or bodyguard. Why can’t he see how much I want him? That I want more than a friendship with him. Maybe Tiffany is right, and I should have told him long ago. Maybe I’ll tell him tonight after the party when it’s just us. I mean, at this point, what do I have to lose? Oh, that’s right, him.I sighed, taking a sip of the champagne, and wrinkled my nose. Yep, I’m still a cheap beer girl. I froze when I heard someone laughing and looked around to try and find the source. “Who’s there?”

The fact he didn’t try to stop hurt. But I shoved the pain down before I reached Ollie. “Alright, Mason didn’t plan to leave till near dark. So where ya thinking for dinner?” I asked as I reached Ollie. Oliver smiled. “Well, on the way back, we go past my hometown of Nottingham, and there's this great place called The Bells Inn. Known for good ales, food, and live music. Their beef and ale pie is the best I’ve ever had.” he explained, putting an arm lightly around my shoulders.I reminded myself that Ollie is a good bloke, and he obviously likes me. Unlike Mason. But I couldn’t shake that. It just felt wrong having Ollie’s arm around me like this. As we headed for his car, I glanced over my shoulder, hoping to see Mason. I don’t know why I held out hope he’d come rushing after us and say he’d rather drive me.

Keeping a calm unbothered exterior as she talked about Ollie kissing her last night and asking her on a date was nearly impossible. Fighting back the urge to find Ollie and beat the crap out of him. But I can’t. It's not Ollie’s fault. Adder is amazing. Eventually, someone else would realize it too. I’m the idiot who hasn’t told her how I feel. It’s my fault. I ought to be telling her how I feel. Talk her out of that stupid date with Ollie. Maybe talk her into showering together. I groaned as the mental image of her naked in a shower crept into my brain. I sighed, glancing down at the growing problem in my shorts. “Down, boy.” I ordered, turning and putting my coffee cup into the sink. I need to settle things with Elizabeth before even attempting to move forward with what I desire with Adder. I was in my roo

I have never been the sort to hit a woman. And I certainly never thought to hit a nun. But when that nun called Adder a serpent like that, with the disdain in her voice. And looked at her like she was some vile unholy thing. It pissed me off. It took all self-control to not lash out, either physically or with my powers. I want to get this done. I can tell how much this place is affecting Adder. She’s not comfortable being here. So I start sifting through the folder. It was mostly just documents about her fights with other children and the nuns. “Well, I see why the nun was scared of you when you walked in. You bit at least five nuns, sending them to the hospital for treatment in your short time.” I sighed, shaking my head a little. Not that I blame her. I glanced over and saw her watching me, leaning against a filing cabinet. &ldqu

When I gave her the go-ahead without knowing her plan, I knew that I was in for some trouble. I just wasn’t prepared for it to be this kind of trouble. I caught on quickly enough what she was doing. She was playing girlfriend. A role that she fit into rather easily. I wish this were real.This whole flat hunting like a real couple. I want it to be real. And I want that future moment we imagined in the living room of us cuddled up on the sofa in front of the fire. It was a picturesque dream. One I wish could happen. Maybe if I hadn’t slept with Elizabeth, it could, someday. But now? Why would she want me?It did catch my real estate agent off guard. And she seemed to be falling more into line. Though her comment about how the second bedroom would be perfect for a kid. That threw me. Still, I continued to play her game.