Page 18 of No Mane, No Gain
“I hate to interrupt,” Tia said, not sounding sorry at all, “but the Andersons are simply dying to meet you, brother dear. You know how important they could be for our upcoming project.”
Chaos’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but his voice remained polite as he addressed his sister. “Of course, Tia. I’ll be there in a moment.”
Turning back to Olive, his expression softened once more. “I’m afraid duty calls,” he said, regret evident in his tone. “But I very much hope we can continue this conversation soon. Perhaps over dinner?”
Olive’s heart leaped at the suggestion. “I’d like that,” she replied, summoning her most dazzling smile. “You have my number?”
“I’ll get it from my assistant,” Chaos assured her. He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles that sent sparks racing up her arm. “Until next time, Olive.”
As Chaos allowed Tia to lead him away, Olive remained rooted to the spot, her skin tingling where his lips had touched. She watched him disappear into the crowd, her mind reeling from the intensity of their encounter.
“Well, well, well,” Athena’s amused voice broke through her daze. “Looks like someone’s found her very own romance novel hero. A lion shifter, no less. Your vlog followers are going to have a field day with this one.”
Olive turned to her cousin, unable to keep the giddy smile off her face. “Whatever,” she said. “Come on, we’ve got a charity event to run. You can tease me mercilessly later.”
As they made their way back into the thick of the party, Olive couldn’t help but cast one last glance over her shoulder, searching for a glimpse of Chaos’s tall frame. Her heart fluttered as she spotted him across the room, deep in conversation with another guest.
As if sensing her gaze, Chaos looked up, his eyes finding hers unerringly. The heat in his gaze, even from across the crowded ballroom, made Olive’s breath catch.
Whatever was happening between them, Olive had a feeling her life was about to get a whole lot more interesting.
EIGHT
The charity event wound down in the early hours of the morning, leaving Olive exhausted but exhilarated. As she finally stepped into her penthouse, kicking off her heels with a sigh of relief, her mind was still buzzing with the events of the night - particularly her encounters with a certain tall, dark, and handsome tech mogul.
Olive padded barefoot to her bedroom, the plush carpet soft beneath her tired feet. She unzipped her gold dress, letting it pool at her feet before stepping out of it and hanging it carefully in her closet. Slipping into her favorite silk pajamas, she couldn’t help but replay every moment with Chaos in her mind.
The way he’d looked at her like she was the only person in the room. The feel of his strong arms around her as they danced. The electricity that had sparked between them with every touch and glance.
As she removed her makeup and brushed out her hair, a thought struck her. Gerri Wilder. The matchmaker had been at the gala, and Olive had even chatted with her briefly. Now, mere days after their initial meeting, Olive had met a man who made her heart race like never before.
Before she could talk herself out of it, Olive grabbed her phone and dialed Gerri’s number. It was late - or early, depending on how you looked at it - but something told her the unconventional matchmaker wouldn’t mind.
The phone rang twice before Gerri’s warm, slightly husky voice answered. “Olive, darling! I was wondering when I’d hear from you. That was quite an event you put together tonight.”
Olive smiled, recalling their brief interaction at the gala. “Thanks, Gerri. I’m glad you could make it. Though I have to say, I was surprised to see you there. I still can’t believe you’ve attended these events before. How have I not seen you there in the past?”
She could practically hear Gerri’s mischievous smile through the phone. “Oh, I get around, dear. You’d be surprised at how many events I attend. Now, tell me, I have a feeling you want to discuss something - or someone - rather interesting from tonight.”
Olive took a deep breath, her free hand fiddling nervously with the edge of her comforter. “Gerri, did you... I mean, was Chaos Amato the man you matched me with?”
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and then Gerri chuckled. “My, my, aren’t we direct? But then, that’s one of the things I like about you, Olive. You don’t beat around the bush.”
“Gerri,” Olive pressed, her heart pounding. “Please. Was it him? Did you arrange for him to be at the gala?”
“Before I reply, I have a question of my own. Did you like Mr. Amato?” Gerri teased. “Did you feel a spark with Chaos? Did your heart race and did your palms get sweaty and you feel like you’ve known him your whole life even though you just met?”
“What? Yes. To all those questions.”
“It’s so good to see my matches working. Remember, Olive, trust those instincts.”
Olive let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “So he is... I mean, Athena mentioned something about shifters, and I thought maybe...”
“Ah, yes, the whole paranormal aspect,” Gerri said, her tone becoming a bit more serious. “It can be a lot to take in at first, I know. But don’t let it scare you off, Olive. The heart wants what it wants, whether the object of its desire turns furry or not.”
Despite her whirling emotions, Olive couldn’t help but laugh. “Furry? Gerri, you make it sound like some sort of magical menstrual cycle.”
Gerri’s warm laughter joined hers. “Well, when you put it that way! But in all seriousness, Olive, my advice to you is this: enjoy it. Enjoy the company of that big, hunky shifter. Let yourself feel the excitement, the passion, and the connection. You deserve it, darling.”