Run the Gantlet by Amarinda Jones Page B

his. “Come on, talk to me, shorty.”
    “I don’t know.”
    “In your heart you do.” The confusion he saw in her eyes made him want to take her in his arms and kiss any doubts she had away.
    “Maybe I don’t have a heart.”
    Eloise had one of the biggest hearts he knew of. “Yeah you do, you just choose not to use it.”
    “Oh Arrow, I—”
    He looked at her in wonder as he picked her up and spun her in his arms. “You cal ed me Arrow.” It made him feel ridiculously happy. “Fang face is sexy though.” He placed her feet on the ground, his hands moving down to her ass.
    Eloise tried half-heartedly to push back from him. “We can’t keep having sex like this.”
    “If I did not touch you at least once every hour I would die.”
    She snorted in laughter. “Very poetic from the immortal being—hey!” Eloise was forced gently back against the car by Arrow.
    He made sure he covered every inch of her body with his with his as he leaned in and started kissing her passionately. He wanted to remove any ounce of doubt she had. “You just don’t get it, do you?” He said in between kisses, giving her a chance to breathe.
    “What?” Eloise panted out as she clutched hold of him in need.
    “Us.”
    “There is no us.” Her eyes were soft and wil ingly but he wanted more from Eloise.
    “You try my patience, shorty.” His mouth found hers once more and he kissed her without mercy. Neither spoke as they gave over to the passion of the moment. Eloise’s legs lifted around his waist and Arrow contemplated who could see them if he took her on the hood of the car.
    “Arrow,” she whimpered as their lips broke free. “Make love to me.”
    Make love? It was exactly what he needed to hear from the woman he loved. Arrow pul ed at the buttons of her shirt. He needed to taste more and her writhing body underneath his promised great delight for both of them.

    “Hel o? Anyone there?”
    “What the fuck?” Eloise murmured when she heard the woman’s voice. She looked into Arrow’s eyes and saw the same confusion and disappointment she felt.
    “I seem to have a flat tire.”
    Eloise’s first thought was “Who gives a shit?” Her second was to look up and see who it was. Bloody hel . It was the blonde bimbo. “Do you live around here?” Or are just stalking on the off chance you’ll get lucky ?
    The woman’s eyes were on Arrow as the two lovers stood. “I need help.”
    “I’l cal the nearest auto mechanic.” Eloise did not give Arrow a chance to speak. She could see the amusement in his face. Wel , let him be. She was sure if some man were after her he would not take it peaceful y. Wel , at least she hoped he wouldn’t.
    “It wouldn’t take long for you to change it and I would real y appreciate it.”
    It was as if Eloise were not there at al . She was total y ignored by the blonde. Her sticky-sweet words made Eloise want to puke.
    “Certainly,” Arrow murmured as he walked toward the woman.

    “What?” Eloise looked at him in amazement. He knew she did not like the woman yet there he was, going straight to her.
    “I wil be back, shorty.”
    “Like I give a rat’s ass,” she muttered as she began rebuttoning her blouse. “If you touch her, then you are never touching me again.” That was a fact set in stone.
    “What?” Arrow turned around and looked at her.
    “Nothing, dear,” Eloise responded overly sweetly, wishing al sorts of evil down on the blonde’s head.

    An hour later he appeared in her bedroom.
    “You’re a bit late. I’ve put al the groceries away.” She was getting ready to have a shower, and after that the plan had been to mope on her bed while eating Tim Tams and not thinking about Arrow.
    “Are you okay?” Arrow watched as she moved around the bedroom, picking up things.
    “Fine.” Eloise picked up fresh knickers and deliberately waved them in the air. It was like a flag of defiance, as if cotton could bar his entry.
    Arrow made a grab for the knickers and