Page 30 of No Mane, No Gain
“So,” Chaos murmured, his lips close to her ear, “what do you think? Was this a successful second date?”
Olive turned to look at him, her breath catching at the intensity in his hazel eyes. “I’d say so,” she replied softly. “Though I have to admit, it wasn’t quite what I expected for a date.”
Chaos chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I like to keep people on their toes. Especially beautiful, intriguing women who’ve completely captivated me.”
Her face warmed, but she held his gaze. “Captivated, huh? That’s a pretty strong word.”
“It’s a pretty strong feeling,” Chaos replied, his voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur that sent shivers down Olive’s spine.
For a moment, they just looked at each other, the rest of the world fading away. Olive felt herself lost in Chaos’s eyes, in the warmth of his body pressed against hers, and the heady scent of his cologne.
Athena’s voice finally broke the spell. “Oi, lovebirds! Are you going to stare into each other’s eyes all night, or are you going to join the conversation?”
Olive blinked suddenly aware of the amused looks being directed their way from around the table. She buried her face in Chaos’s shoulder, torn between embarrassment and laughter.
“Sorry,” she said, lifting her head to grin sheepishly at the group. “What were we talking about?”
As the conversation picked up again, Olive settled back against Chaos, a contented smile on her face. She didn’t know what the future held, but in this moment, surrounded by laughter and warmth and Chaos’s arm around her, she felt like anything was possible.
The night wound down slowly, people drifting away in twos and threes until only Olive, Chaos, Athena, and Baxter remained. As they stepped out into the cool night air, Olive found herself reluctant for the evening to end.
“Well,” Athena said, stretching languidly, “as much fun as this has been, I should probably head home. Some of us have work in the morning.”
Baxter perked up at this. “Allow me to escort you. These streets can be treacherous at night.”
Athena rolled her eyes, but Olive could see the smile on her cousin’s lips. “I suppose I can tolerate your company for a few more blocks. But don’t get any ideas, Lennox.”
As Athena and Baxter headed off, their banter fading into the night, Olive turned to Chaos. “And then there were two,” she said softly.
Chaos smiled, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The gentle touch sent a shiver through Olive. “Can I walk you home?” he asked.
Olive nodded, not trusting her voice. They set off at a leisurely pace, their hands finding each other almostinstinctively. The city hummed around them, but in that moment, it felt like they were in their own little bubble.
“I had a wonderful time tonight, Chaos,” Olive said as they neared her building. “Thank you for an amazing afternoon and evening.”
Chaos took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving hers. The intensity in his hazel eyes made Olive’s breath catch in her throat. When he spoke, his voice was low and confident, filled with a raw honesty.
“I know this is all happening fast, Olive. And I understand why you might be cautious. But I need you to know something.” He paused, his jaw set with determination. “I’m not just playing around here. This - us - it’s real for me.”
Chaos stepped closer, his broad frame towering over her. But instead of feeling intimidated, Olive felt wanted and protected. His hand came up to cup her cheek, his touch gentle despite the strength she knew those hands possessed.
“You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met,bella mia,” he continued, his thumb caressing her cheekbone. “You challenge me, you make me laugh, you see past all the bullshit that usually comes with my position. And I want to see where this goes. I want to explore every facet of what we could be together.”
His eyes flickered to her lips, then back to her eyes. “I know you’ve been hurt before. I know trusting doesn’t come easy. But I’m asking you to try. With me. Because I’m certain what we have could be something extraordinary.”
Olive felt tears prick at her eyes, overwhelmed by the sincerity in Chaos’s voice and the unwavering certainty in his expression. This powerful man, this alpha who commanded respect with his mere presence, was asking her to take a chance on him…on them. The realization sent a rush of warmth through her body.
She reached up, placing her hand over his on her cheek. “It scares me how much I want that, Chaos. I’ve never felt this kind of connection, this... pull toward someone. It’s like you’ve awakened something in me I didn’t know was sleeping.”
Chaos’s eyes darkened at her words, a low growl rumbling in his chest. The sound sent a jolt of electricity straight to Olive’s core. “Olive,” he murmured, his voice rough with barely restrained desire. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
Olive nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. Instead, she rose onto her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his in a kiss. She pulled back and sucked in a breath when she saw the need in his eyes.
He groaned and he brought his head down and plastered his lips over hers in a desperate, soul-sucking kiss that took her breath away. She shouldn’t want him this much, this desperately. But her body refused to listen.
The kiss set off detonations of hunger exploding through her veins. She breathed through his mouth, sharing his air and letting him possess her to the point she forgot everything but that moment of his lips taking and his hands holding her. He rubbed his tongue over hers, twirling and sucking and making her lose all control. Pleasure intensified with each swipe of his tongue on her lips. Every nip and nibble sent a shudder down her spine.
He tore his lips from hers and inhaled a short, harsh breath. “You want me.”