Free Run the Gantlet by Amarinda Jones

are we then, fang face? We barely know each other.”
    Arrow tried to take one of her hands but Eloise backed away from him. “I’m not going to let you down.”
    “Easy to say now, but what if another woman—”
    “What? Talks to me? Flirts with me? Smiles at me?” That Eloise was jealous was cute but she had no reason to be. “It doesn’t mean I’m unfaithful.” For the first time in his seven hundred years Arrow wanted only one woman and she was too blind to see it.
    “No,” Eloise conceded. “But you’re an attractive man and I’m—”
    “What?” Arrow knew that despite her bold words and smart mouth, insecurity lurked below the surface.
    “I’m average and not exactly a supermodel.” She threw the peg she had clutched in her hand into the washing basket. “You could have anyone.”
    “I want you.” That was pure and simple fact.
    Eloise snorted. “That’s probably what Caitriona’s lover said to her just before he screwed around. Can’t you see that our lives run in paral el to theirs?”
    She was a mortal woman. He was a vampire. Of course Arrow could see that but beyond bloodlines that’s al it was.
    “I see what this is.” He was not about to let what they had fal to pieces. It may not be the most conventional of romances but it was theirs and he would do whatever he had to in order to protect it. “You’re scared and I’m not, and you think some half-assed hissy fit is going to chase me away.”
    “Oh piss off.”

    Anger was a good, honest emotion and he wanted to see how truthful it would make Eloise.
    “No, I won’t because I’m right about us.”
    Eloise charged forward and pushed at him. “This is what annoys me most about you.” She slammed into him again. “You are an arrogant prick.”
    Arrow caught her each time. “And you can’t handle the truth.”
    “I can if I hear it.”
    “Are you wanting to start a fight with me?”
    “Yes.” Her hands hit his chest once more.
    “Go ahead. Give it your best shot, lady.” He held his arms out to his side.
    “Arrgh!” Eloise jumped up on him, wrapping her legs around his waist. The force of her jump sent them crashing back against the timber wal of the house.
    She started pummeling his chest like a wild woman.
    Arrow tried very hard not to laugh. Her blows were not wel aimed and most of the force had left them by the time they connected with his body. He had to admit that her body plastered against his was making him think of anything but war. “You’re a fierce little thing.”

    “I’m not little,” Eloise yel ed at him as she continued to fight on even though she did not have a clue what she was doing. She was angry at him, herself and Caitriona for dragging them into this mess. “I hate you.” Eloise landed one last puny slap on his shoulder. But then where would she be without Arrow?
    Probably alone, yet with al her washing pegged on the line.
    “I love the way you hate me.”
    She stopped and looked at him. ”What am I doing?” For the first time in her life she had no idea.
    “Fighting yourself.”
    Arrow was right. She was. “This just can’t work between us.” She slid down from his body. They were too different. Her insecurity about their relationship would stand in their way. That she was even thinking “relationship” amazed Eloise. Two days ago he was just a pain in the bum she had to avoid.
    “Why not?”
    “Because I’m scared you’l let me down.” Even as she said the words Eloise knew that was unfair of her to say. Arrow had been nothing but honest and giving.
    “I won’t.”
    I want to believe you. “Maybe I’l let you down.” That was the more likely possibility. The urge to get in the car and drive off was stil strong.
    “You could never do that.”Arrow grinned at her. “‘Want to slug me again?”
    Eloise gave a reluctant smile in retuned. “I saw you laughing at me when I jumped you. It pissed me off more.”
    “You can jump me any time, shorty.” Arrow pul ed her