Page 38 of No Mane, No Gain
“Is that all?”
“Well…” She leaned into him and rose on her tip toes. “I also have a bookshelf I need moved and was hoping you might want to help.”
He chuckled and pulled her into his arms. “I like that you’re looking to use my strength. Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you tonight then.”
“Great.” She tried to step away but he pulled her closer and kissed her. The kiss was hard, fast, and all-consuming. She instantly melted into him, curling her arms around his neck and pressing herself against him. The kiss was hot, erotic, and toe-curling. She pulled back breathless, her body fired up as desire danced in her blood.
“Later,bella mia.”
She licked her lips and nodded.
As Olive stepped into the elevator, she felt a surge of warmth in her chest. Despite the negativity from her vlog comments and her lingering doubts about love... she couldn’t deny the connection she felt with Chaos. It wasn’t just physical attraction, though that was certainly there in spades. It was the way he made her laugh, the way he listened and the way he seemed to understand her in a way no one else had.
NINETEEN
Olive settled into the plush velvet seat at Aria, the latest hotspot in Manhattan’s culinary scene. The restaurant hummed with energy, its sleek decor and dim lighting creating an atmosphere of sophisticated intimacy. She smoothed down her pink mini-dress.
Her sister Sapphire sat across from her, looking every inch the successful lawyer in a tailored black jumpsuit. Athena completed their trio, her fashionable ensemble no doubt a product of her own boutique.
“Ladies,” Olive raised her margarita glass, the salt-rimmed edge glinting in the candlelight. “Here’s to girls’ night and gossiping about boys like we’re back in high school.”
They clinked glasses, laughter bubbling up between them. The tart, citrusy drink slid down Olive’s throat, a pleasant warmth blooming in her chest.
“Speaking of boys,” Sapphire’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “How’s things with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Techy? And please, spare no details. Your vlog updates are giving me life, but I need the behind-the-scenes scoop.”
Olive felt a flush creep up her neck, and it wasn’t just from the alcohol. “Things are... good. Really good, actually.”
“Aww, you sound so cute,” Athena giggled. “All in love.”
“He’s just... God, he’s incredible. Smart, funny, and have you seen those arms? I swear, they should be illegal.”
“Oh, we’ve seen,” Sapphire chimed in, a sly grin on her face. “That shirtless pic you ‘accidentally’ posted yesterday? Pure fire. I think you broke the internet for a hot minute there.”
“That was an accident!” Olive protested, her cheeks burning. “He was helping me move some furniture and I didn’t realize he was in the background when I snapped a pic of my new bookshelf.”
“Mm-hmm, sure,” Athena teased. “And I’m sure it was also an accident that you left it up for a full hour before taking it down.”
Olive buried her face in her hands, but she couldn’t hide her grin. “You two are terrible. But... okay, maybe it wasn’t entirely accidental. Can you blame me, though? The man is walking perfection.”
“Absolutely not,” Sapphire agreed, taking a sip of her drink. “You two look amazing together. Like, romance-novel-cover-models amazing. I’m half expecting you to show up one day in a flowing white dress, wind-swept hair, with Chaos carrying you off into the sunset.”
“On a white stallion, of course,” Athena added with a laugh.
“Please,” Olive scoffed. “If anyone’s doing the carrying, it’s me. You should see the way he melts when I...”
She trailed off, her eyes widening as she caught sight of a familiar figure approaching their table. Tia Amato, in all her designer-clad glory, was sauntering toward them, flanked by three equally polished women.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the little vlogger, completely out of her depth,” Tia drawled, her voice dripping with disdain.
Olive’s good mood evaporated, replaced by a simmering irritation. She straightened in her seat, meeting Tia’s gaze head-on. “Tia,” she acknowledged coolly. “What a... surprise to see you here. I didn’t think this place served sour grapes and bitter envy. Or is that just your signature perfume?”
Tia’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Cute. I see my brother’s little plaything has developed a sharper tongue. How... quaint. Tell me, Olive, do you really think you’re anything more than a passing amusement for Chaos?”
The words stung, but Olive refused to show it. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, a sardonic smile playing on her lips. “Oh honey, if that’s what you think is happening, you clearly don’t know your brother very well. But then again, your obsession with his love life is a little... odd. Are you sure there isn’t something you want to tell us? Some deep-seated issues we should know about?”
Tia’s face flushed, her carefully manicured nails digging into her palms. “How dare you! I’m just looking out for my brother. He deserves better than some two-bit vlogger playing at being important. You’re nothing but a gold-digger with a cute face and a big mouth.”
The restaurant had gone eerily quiet, other patrons watching the drama unfold with poorly concealed interest. Olive felt a surge of anger but kept her voice level.