Page 79 of Enchanted

And they couldn’t have chosen better.

We thanked Harry for the tour and he bustled off back in the direction we’d come from. Owen watched him go with a furrow in his brow.

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly when he turned to face me and Ethan. “I think I scare the poor lad. Can barely get three words out of him.”

He leaned down to pick up some axes, and Ethan took the opportunity to raise his brows at me and mouth, Oh my god.

I know, I mouthed back, and we shared a conspiratorial grin. Something told me we’d be dissecting this after the session. Together. Like a couple. Which we weren’t, of course. I knew that.

But I was starting to believe we would be.

“Right,” Owen said cheerfully, holding a short-handled axe in each hand. “Who’s going first?”

Ethan winced, taking a step back. “I think Rami should.”

My senses went on high alert. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“It’s just…well, you know how clumsy I am.” He gave a small shiver. “I’m half-convinced I’m going to take out your leg. Or Owen’s.”

I reached out to grab his hand, tugging him closer to me. “Don’t worry, I’ve got speedy reflexes.”

So speedy I’d be able to stop an axe flying in Owen’s direction too.

“You’ll be fine,” Owen told him. “If it helps, most people hit the ground during their first session, and I’ve never had an injury yet.”

Ethan swayed, unconvinced. Irritation bubbled under my skin at the secret I was hiding from him. If he knew who I was, what I was capable of, this wouldn’t be an issue.

But until I was sure he was ready to accept a mating bond, this was how it had to be.

“I’ll go first,” I said, shooting a smile in Ethan’s direction. “Maybe that’ll help you feel better.”

His eyes trailed down my arms, much like Harry’s had done with Owen’s earlier. “Yeah, I think watching you throw axes will definitely make me feel better.”

I made sure I appeared as though I was listening as Owen walked me through the correct stance and throwing technique. In reality, my mind was completely occupied by the man who stood six feet away, hungrily eyeing me like he too was regretting this activity choice.

Or maybe that was just my wishful thinking.

“Okay, I think you’re ready.”

I jerked my attention back to Owen, who was looking at me expectantly. Right. Axe throwing.

The problem didn’t occur to me until I lifted the weapon. I had no issue throwing this and hitting the target. The issue was how close it was…and how hard I’d likely hit it. Bollocks.

Holding back as much of my strength as possible, I let the axe fly through the air. It hit the centre of the target.

And immediately knocked the whole thing to the ground.

Fuck.

“Whoa.” Owen chuckled. “Guess those muscles aren’t just for show.”

I gave him a thin smile. “Guess not.”

“Holy fuck,” Ethan whispered under his breath. He probably thought he was safe from my ears, but he wasn’t. I heard every word. “That’s so damn hot.”

Grinning widely at Owen, I gestured at the pile of axes. “Can I have a go with a pair of tomahawks?”

If Ethan was enjoying the show, I was going to give him the best performance I was capable of.