CHAPTER 22
NERO ZANTHOS
“That’s an interesting decorating choice,” I say, lips pressed together in an attempt to hide my smile as I step into the pink-walled bedroom with white furniture. Posters are stuck up everywhere, and a few stuffed animals sit on shelves.
“Don’t be condescending,” Nina turns to me, finger pointed, her expression very serious. “This is embarrassing enough without your teasing.”
“It’s kind of cute.” I pull her into my arms and rest my forehead against hers. “We’ll probably need to cover the stuffed animals for what I planned tonight, or that would be weird—but I liked getting to know a bit of the teenager you were.”
Nina makes a face, unimpressed by my attempt to distract her from the embarrassment of having me in her space.
“I can leave,” I offer, and she looks up at me.
“That’s not it. It’s just that no girl wants the guy she’s sleeping with to see her teenage bedroom. It’s embarrassing.”
“The guy you’re sleeping with?”
“The hot guy she’s sleeping with?” She throws the question back at me, adding the compliment as if she doesn’t know exactly what I meant in the first place.
“I think we need to have a conversation about labels.”
“Oh—now you’re being kind of cute.”
“The guy you’re sleeping with is cute?” I click my tongue and pull my head back, shaking it side to side. “We definitely need to have a conversation about labels.”
I turn Nina and drop her onto the single bed behind us. She lets out a small shriek and laughs. I lean over her, kneeling on the mattress, lace my fingers with hers, and lift her arms above her head.
“Do you remember what I told you a few days ago, Nina?”
“About me being your favorite show?” She dodges the subject she knows I’m talking about, that mischievous smile on her face. I can’t help it—I laugh softly and bring my lips close to her ear before answering.
“No, Little Fae. I said I can be very persuasive.”
The last word barely leaves my mouth when I pin both her hands together with one of mine and slide the other beneath her dress, touching her over her panties. Nina lets out a soft moan.
“No clever comebacks?” She looks at me, lips parted, and lifts her hips, grinding into my hand, asking for more. I smile wickedly. “Good. Now that we’re on the same page, let’s talk about those labels.”
***
“So—have you managed to convince Nina to make you an honest man, or are you still a stray?” Apollo asks the moment he shuts the car door.
I glance sideways at Nina, remembering the conversation we had about this two days ago at her place. I open my own door, step out, and walk around to open hers.
“I’ll let her answer that herself,” I say, interlacing our fingers as we join Apollo at the restaurant parking lot exit. The color blooming on Little Fae’s cheeks tells me her thoughts went exactly where mine did.
“So?” Apollo asks her directly. Atlas joins us when we reach him a few spaces ahead.
“Why did he come with us again?” Nina asks, dodging the question. I narrow my eyes at her.
“You really don’t know Apollo if you think that’ll work.”
“It won’t work,” Apollo says himself, and Nina rolls her eyes.
“What are we talking about?” Atlas asks.
“We’re finding out whether Nina decided to make Nero an honest man or keep him as a late-night snack,” his twin explains. Atlas smiles discreetly.
Nina looks up at me, silently asking for help.
She’s reluctant to accept the fact that we’re dating. I lower my mouth to her ear, my next words quiet enough for only her to hear.
“Did I not apply my persuasion strategies well enough, Little Fae?”
“Maybe you applied them too well and I’m just making excuses so you’ll do it again,” she answers in the same low tone, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Ah, Nina. Then we need to talk about how exceptionally skilled I can be with my strategies when I’m properly rewarded.”
She throws her head back in laughter at that.
“Get a room!” Atlas snaps—and doesn’t stay silent for even two seconds after. “Unless there’s only one available. In that case, give it to Drako. He’s clearly already ordered the appetizers.”
His words pull both my gaze and Nina’s in the same direction.
We find Drako glued to a blonde as if his life depends on stealing every last molecule of oxygen from her body.
When I look back at my friends, the frown on Atlas’s face catches my attention—and not just mine. Apollo’s reaction tells me I’ve missed part of the story, but the explanation comes quickly.
“Isn’t that the woman I bumped into in our kitchen last week?” Atlas asks his twin.
Nina moves, stepping in front of me, suddenly very interested in the conversation.
I raise a brow, realizing my Little Fae isn’t immune to Khione’s curse: the gossip instinct.
Apollo shrugs before answering.
“I’m not jealous. In fact, if you need recommendations, I’ve got a list.”
Atlas opens his mouth, turns toward his brother with an incredulous expression, then raises his hands, shakes his head, and walks into the restaurant—ignoring the hostess beside him and heading inside, where we have a standing table thanks to how often we come here.
“If you’re so eager to share, I suggest you go tell Drako we’re here. I don’t think he’ll mind answering if we just call him,” I mutter, unhappy. Of all the friends I could have… “Don’t get me wrong—I like the idea of you finding girlfriends. That way I won’t have to share mine anymore.”
“Who said anything about finding a girlfriend?” Apollo asks, unmistakably horrified. “We prefer yours.”
I let out a long sigh before addressing the woman dressed in black who’s been watching our group’s interaction with far more interest than necessary.
“Good evening, Cleo.”
“Good evening, Mr. Nero Zanthos.”
With a nod, we step into the restaurant.