Flynn looks over, a frown on his face, when Ian grins slightly.
“As humans would say, that was a solid freeze,” Ian says, amused by himself.
“You mean burn. That was a burn on Flynn,” I reply.
Ian’s initial forays into some human customs have had scattered results at best. But I’m really glad he’s trying new things, and he’s still making connections.
Every fae needs connection, whether it’s romantic or just friendship. Without them, the draw of chaos becomes more and more enticing.
“He’s a fire fae. How could I possibly burn Flynn?” Ian exclaims.
“You can’t and you didn’t,” Flynn exclaims smugly. “But A for effort.” He gives Ian a friendly smile.
I adjust my suppressors under the sleeves of my jacket, making sure they’re on snug.
I don’t want one to fall off and have it cause a scene like every time we have walked into a human club.
“I think it looks great,” Avery says, munching something in the kitchen with Brett. “She’ll love it.”
I give her a grateful smile while Brett bristles with jealousy.
“I did not know you liked suits so much,” he says grumpily. “If I had, I would have—”
Avery interrupts him with her hand on his chest, and the touch makes him soften immediately.
“Hey, I didn’t want to bond with you just because you looked good in a suit, did I?”
Brett shakes his head.
“Then don’t assume just because I’m complimenting someone else that it means I have eyes for anyone else, you sexy guy.”
I turn away because I know in about ten seconds, they’ll be making out. And making out will lead to more, and someone in our apartment will have to tell them to go back to their place.
But as much as I’ve begrudged their public bonding, I’m actually glad to see Brett’s growth as a result of it. Glad to see the two of them happy, really.
It also means this whole fae relocation program is actually working in spite of all of our reservations at the beginning.
Now to make sure I don’t mess things up with Eva…
“I think it’s truly fitting that the commander of darkness looks so dashing in a dark suit,” Brett says. He and Avery are just snuggling right now, but I know that won’t be where it ends.
Flynn laughs wholeheartedly, and I can’t help relaxing slightly in spite of my utter nervousness.
No one prepared me to do such things as mingle and flirt and pretend to be in charge of a human company like this.
I’ve commanded elite forces against overwhelming odds. I’ve stared into the maw of chaos and overcome all who dared to defy me.
But dammit if this woman doesn’t have me entirely at her mercy right now.
I do one last check and grab my wool coat off a desk next to me.
“Anything else?” I ask, my thoughts on Eva. Her sparkling eyes full of determination. Her lips parting slightly every time she looks up at me. Her soul so full of kindness and justice that it calls me across space and time to be with her.
“Good luck, Tanner,” Ian says, sitting up and giving me a thumbs-up similar to Flynn’s earlier.
“Oh, one more thing,” Flynn exclaims, getting off the couch and disappearing into his room. A second later, he produces a small silk scarf, and he folds it and puts it in my jacket pocket so it sticks out at an angle. “Can’t have you going in there looking like a newb, can I?”
“A newb?”
“A novice. But that’s not important. Go get her!” He finishes with a firm slap on my shoulder.
“Show her the fearless commander we all know you are.” Brett chimes in.
“Just be yourself. That should be plenty,” Ian says lastly.
“Thank you. Everyone,” I say to my friends and allies as I put my coat on, heading back out on the most important mission I’ve ever had in my life as a fae prince.
Winning my soul match.
Eva
It’s odd to be wearing something that even resembles a dress, I think, as I catch a glimpse of my reflection in one of the mirrors at the back of the conference room where we’re holding the party.
I rub my arms, not used to having them bared.
Usually, I’d be wearing some stiff suit with a pencil skirt, but tonight, I’m wearing a flowing, formal jumpsuit in black that sits off the shoulders, hugs my curves, and ends in billowing, soft pant legs that come together to look like the bottom of a dress.
I just love that it has pockets.
And okay, maybe I’m hoping that, along with the heels and a bit of makeup, I can make Tanner look even half as affected as I am whenever I see him.
I walk along the side of the ballroom, glancing around for him. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so wary about coming together.
But all of this is so new to me. Wanting someone so much I would even think about jeopardizing my work.
I walk around a nearby group of men to stand near a column and watch everyone socialize.
“Well, doesn’t someone look devastating tonight?” a deep voice says from behind me, making a shock move through me.
I whirl around to see Tanner, and he’s just standing there, looking so incredibly handsome, hands in the pockets of his perfectly tailored, three-piece suit.
It’s pure power cut to emphasize his broad shoulders and trim waist. His beautiful, shiny dark hair is slightly wavy, and his sharp features make him look like a model who accidentally wandered into the wrong room.
I can feel a hush as quite a few people stop to look over at him.
He waves a hand. “HR business. Don’t worry about us.”
Slowly, the room returns to normal, and Tanner merely looks annoyed at the attention that being a CEO commands.
“I’m only here temporarily,” he says in that adorably confused way I’m starting to get used to. “I’m not sure why they defer to me.”
“You could fire them,” I say.
“No, I couldn’t,” he says.
“You could,” I insist.
“Anyway, enough about me. I’d rather talk about you and how amazing you look tonight.” His voice is husky. “Your legs go on for miles.”
I flush, pleased with the compliment. “Thank you.” I give him a sultry look as I slowly lift my lashes, enjoying the way his eyes widen slightly, looking like starry skies, and his jaw tightens minutely.
He shifts his weight, taking one hand out of his pocket to rub his jaw. “You sure you don’t want to just head out now? Get some of that misconduct going?”
I laugh, giving him a little shove. “Behave.” Not that I want to every time I look at him.
That suit is going to haunt my every dream for the rest of my life.
And what’s beneath it…
I bite my lower lip and look up to see him looking even tenser.
Whatever this thing is between us, no matter how I’ve tried to resist it, it’s getting stronger. Pulling us together. To the point that it almost feels wrong to be apart.
He turns to look at the crowd, letting me breathe easy for a moment, and I can’t stop staring at his sharp profile.
I can’t explain the feeling around him. Something otherworldly.
As I continue to stare, an image flashes quickly in my mind, so fast I’m not sure what inspired it.