Immortal Consequences(67)

Olivier crossed his arms and looked up in confusion. “Pardon?”

“Actually, you’re gawking.”

“And apparently having a stroke. What on earth are you talking about?”

Emilio sighed. Screw it. He might as well just put it out there and ask.

“Is there something going on between you two?”

“Is there—what?” Olivier nearly slipped from his position against the tree. “Emilio, my love, have you lost your mind? Are you running a fever?”

“You haven’t stopped staring at him,” muttered Emilio, feeling a bit foolish. “I mean…you were practically drooling just then.” He glanced up at Olivier through his lashes and found him staring back with the oddest expression on his face. Lips curled up slightly. Eyes beaming.

“What?” Emilio asked. “What’s that look for?”

Olivier’s face split into a grin.

“You’re jealous.”

Emilio scoffed.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“You are the epitome of jealousy.”

“You’re being stupid.” Emilio turned away from him, staring at the canopy of trees above them. “I’m just—I’m looking out for you. I know August is nice to look at, and it’s easy to get distracted by him, but—”

“You think August is nice to look at?”

Emilio glanced over his shoulder. Olivier was no longer smiling.

“Well, obviously.” Emilio gestured toward August in the distance. He was still working on dismantling the protective ward, dark brows creased together in concentration and mouth twisted into a withering frown. “He’s…him.”

A similar crease formed between Olivier’s brows.

Emilio sighed. “What?”

“Well…” Olivier shook his head and cleared his throat. “I just didn’t realize he was your type.”

Emilio inspected him for a moment. Wait. Brooding eyes. Downturned mouth. Nervous fidget in his hands.

“Oh my God,” Emilio whispered, his lips curving into a smile.

“What?”

“You’re jealous.”

Olivier chuckled. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous—”

“You are! Look at you. You’re all red and squirmy.” It was true. Olivier’s cheeks were flushed and he was anxiously tugging at the collar of his shirt. “You’re jealous. You can’t stand that I find him attractive.”

“Look, I have no problem with you finding him attractive. We obviously both agree that Augustine Hughes is gorgeous. I mean, we’re not blind, for Christ’s sake—”

“I didn’t say gorgeous…”

“—and either way, there’s nothing going on between us. We just came to an agreement that an alliance would be beneficial.”

The wonderful feeling building in Emilio’s stomach vanished, replaced by a horrible sense of impending doom.

“You made an alliance with August?” Emilio echoed in confusion. “Why would you do that?”

“Because…” Olivier shrugged, kicking a pebble beneath his feet.

“Wow.” Emilio chuckled. “What a detailed explanation. Thank you.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

“Clearly not.”

Olivier pushed himself away from the tree and crossed the space between them in a few long strides. He towered over Emilio in a way that made Emilio feel impossibly small. Usually, he enjoyed the feeling. It was strangely comforting. But now, with that scornful look in Olivier’s eyes and the seriousness in his expression, the feeling was less than ideal.

“If you have something to say—then say it.” Olivier inspected Emilio’s face, and Emilio could practically feel his eyes against his skin. “Is there any other reason that you wouldn’t want me working with August? Any at all.”

Emilio swallowed.

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m…” Warmth spread through Emilio’s neck, rising to his cheeks. “I don’t know.”

“Emilio…” Olivier’s expression softened. The disdain in his eyes morphed into something else. It took Emilio a second to realize that he recognized it. It was the same thing he felt inside himself. The same breathtaking feeling that flooded through him every time he looked at Olivier.

Longing.

Emilio had the sudden urge to reach up, grab Olivier by the shoulders and place his mouth upon his. He could do it. He knew he could. But he was so scared. He was scared of rejection. Of ruining what they already had. Of finding out that maybe the terrifying feelings he felt for Olivier weren’t reciprocated.

But most of all…he was scared of losing him.

“It’s done.” August appeared in front of them, dusting off his hands.

Olivier let out a sigh and stepped away from Emilio.

“Already?” he asked, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice.

“Don’t sound so surprised.” August looked between them, as though he sensed he had interrupted something. “We should move on to the next soul. Olivier, I assume you’d like to go next?”

Emilio couldn’t stop the question from pouring out of him. “You’re not going to leave?”