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Chapter Twenty-Two
We drive out of town, but I don’t pay too much attention to where we’re going. Rowan and I chat easily, his hand on my thigh. It’s very distracting. He looks amazing in his black shirt and dark jeans, and he smells absolutely divine. I don’t need a bond to get me all kinds of turned on.
Eventually, he pulls up to a tiny little restaurant which is surrounded by forest and sitting beside a beautiful lake. Dusk is starting to fall, and the restaurant and surrounding trees are strung with fairy lights. It’s beautiful and very romantic.
“I hope this is okay.” Rowan smiles at me nervously. “It’s a bit of a drive but the food is absolutely divine.”
I beam at him and tell him I can’t wait. We climb out of his black Escalade and he holds my hand in his as we make our way to the door. The hostess gives us a smile as we enter and then rushes round the podium to give Rowan a huge hug. I grit my teeth and try not to curse her just because she’s stunning and touching up my man.
Holy hell, where did this possessiveness come from? I need to slap some sense into myself, but my gut is saying I should just slap her instead.
Rowan clears his throat awkwardly and steps out of the blonde nemesis’ praying mantis-like grip. Thankfully before I hex the bitch.
“Erm, Luce, this is Jasmine,” he says, finally remembering I exist. I’m glad I look hot AF tonight and made an effort.
“You don’t usually bring your one night stands here.” The blonde sneers at me. I take a deep breath, ready to curse her under my breath, when Rowan grabs my hand and squeezes it gently. Okay, okay, no hexing. Yet.
“Jas has never been, nor will she ever be, a one night stand. She’s not even my girlfriend.” Rowan says my name like a prayer, like I’m a goddess and I bask in his adoration.
“Wait, what? I’m not your girlfriend?” I ask, when I realize what he just said.
“You’re so much more than that, love.”
Okay, cue the swoon.
I don’t even care that blondie is giving me a look so venomous it could melt the flesh from my bones. My insides are warm and tingly and more gooey than freshly baked brownies.
“Really? And what does Linden think of you fucking around with this trash?”
Mmmm, okay. I have to kill her now.
I growl.
“Actually,” Rowan chuckles, “he loves her. Absolutely adores her and the feeling’s mutual isn’t it, Jas?” He squeezes my fingers again.
“Absolutely! Who wouldn’t love a twin sandwich?” I shrug. Blondie goes deathly pale, and satisfaction makes me grin like a loon at her. “Look, Lucy— I can call you that right?—I’m kinda hungry. Are you going to stop lusting after my man and show us to our table or do we need to contact your boss?” I throw a sweet smile to go with my sickly, sugary tone and she glares daggers at me. I don’t give a fuck; she’s ruining my date.
“Follow me,” she snaps, spinning on her heels and stomping through the restaurant and out onto the terrace. Ours is the only table set up out here, surrounded by candles. It’s gorgeous. I smile at Rowan as he pulls my seat out for me and then takes his own. He doesn’t even acknowledge the blonde as she stomps off in a huff.
“Friend of yours?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Ugh, no. She’s an ex.”
“Of yours?” I expected him to have better taste.
“No.” He chuckles.
“Linden.” We sat at the same time before laughing.
“She seemed very into you.”
“Well, she got it into her head that she was supposed to be our mate.” He shudders, and it makes me smile.
“So she’s fae then? Did you know she’d be here tonight?”
“Yes she’s fae. I knew she worked here, but it's been a long time since I visited. I didn’t really think about her to be honest.”
His answer calms me. Almost.
