NaNoWriMo is halfway over and I'm approximately halfway through my first draft of 'The Bargain,' Gwynriel fanfic inspired by 'The Deal' by Elle Kennedy.
To celebrate reaching the halfway point, I'm sharing a first look at 'The Bargain.' I hope to have it ready to start posting before Christmas. Enjoy.
âSo, does this mean that we have a deal?â
Gwyn arched an eyebrow. âA deal? What are you, a used car salesman?â
âFine,â Azriel said, getting used to Gwynâs quick wit. âAn offer.â
She snorted in laughter. âSo now youâre the Godfather?â
Azrielâs eyes went wide. âYouâve seen The Godfather?â Smart, funny, gorgeous, and she knew classic movies? Yup, countless guys around campus would be falling at her feet after this was over. That was, if Tarquin was dumb enough not to be interested in her.
âThatâs it. Iâm leaving.â
âWait.â He leaned across the table and grabbed her wrist before she could slide from the booth. Gwyn started like an electric shock had passed through her body and she stared at his hand with looks of mild horror. Shit, had he crossed some line by touching her like that? She may have been strong willed and stubborn, but it also seemed like she was a little bit skittish.
âSorry. Please, can we just...âAzriel pulled his hand back and ran it through his hair. He couldnât afford to scare her off. He needed her help. âCan we make a bargain?
âA bargain?â Gwyn sounded skeptical, but at least she hadnât run screaming from the diner. Az would have to remember not to be so physical with her. He needed her to trust him.
âYeah, a bargain. An agreement between two friends. Each one consents to do something helpful for the other.â
âThanks for the vocabulary lesson, but donât you think youâre being a bit presumptuous?â
âWe arenât friends? Iâm hurt.â He dramatically covered his heart with his hand and flopped back against the booth.
âFine. Weâre friendâŚly,â Gwyn conceded. âBut Iâm not making you a friendship bracelet or anything.â
âDoes that mean we have one? A bargain, I mean. Not friendship bracelets. Although I wouldnât say no to one if you change your mind.â He offered her a playful wink.
Gwyn sighed but held out her hand to him. âYouâve got yourself a bargain, Moreno.â
He grinned as reached for her hand, but pulled back just before they touched. âTo be clear, this handshake is legally binding. No returns or exchanges. Or do you think we should pinky-swear instead?â
âOh my god, could you be any more annoying? Just shake my hand already.â She grabbed his hand before he could make another clever quip.
His palm seemed to fit perfectly against hers, even though her hand felt small in his. Her skin was warm and soft, but her handshake was firm. It lingered a little longer than necessary too. Azriel wasnât sure if that was her doing or his. Her gaze had been on his face, but it slowly dropped to his hand, as though she couldnât believe that they were touching. Or maybe it was that she couldnât believe that she liked it.
But then the milkshake blender behind the counter started up and Gwyn dropped his hand. And everything went right back to business.
Thank you to @damedechance for the beta and @ofduskanddreams for the title card.
@vikingmagic33 @hlizr50 @mystical-blaise @booknerd87 @amandapearls @highladyofillyria @captain-of-the-gwynriel-ship @sv0430 @shadowriel @azrielshadowssing