Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
R ook couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss. The way Clover had melted against him at the picnic, her magic sparking between them like miniature fireworks. His tiger paced restlessly beneath his skin, replaying the moment over and over – the soft gasp she’d made when he’d pulled her closer, the way her fingers had curled into his shirt.
The memory alone made him grip his steering wheel tighter as he pulled into the parking spot outside Spellbound Lights. Focus. He had a legitimate reason for being here today, beyond his overwhelming desire to see her again. The security cameras in his trunk weren’t just an excuse, even if his tiger insisted that protecting their mate was reason enough.
Through the window, he spotted Clover arranging a display of seasonal candles, her dark hair falling in waves down her back. She moved with an innate grace that fascinated him, each gesture precise and purposeful. Even Poe, her sarcastic familiar, seemed to be behaving, perched quietly on his usual spot near the register.
The bell chimed as he pushed open the door, and the shop’s magical atmosphere washed over him – warm vanilla, crisp citrus, and underneath it all, the distinctive signature of Clover’s power. She glanced up, and his tiger rumbled appreciatively at the way her cheeks flushed pink.
“Back so soon?” Her voice carried that blend of amusement and wariness he’d grown addicted to. “Missing my candles already?”
“Actually,” he set down the security equipment he’d been carrying, “I thought we might talk about those scorch marks Poe found.”
“Oh, now he’s concerned about security,” Poe muttered from his perch. “Couldn’t be because he wants an excuse to hang around all day.”
“Hush,” Clover shot her familiar a look, but Rook caught her fighting a smile.
“The cameras might help us identify who’s been lurking around,” he explained, pulling out one of the high-tech devices. “And yes, before you say it – I do know how to install these myself.”
“A billionaire CEO who does manual labor?” She raised an eyebrow. “Will wonders never cease?”
“I contain multitudes.” He shrugged off his jacket, well aware of how his shirt stretched across his shoulders. The sharp intake of breath from Clover’s direction suggested she’d noticed too. “Where would you like me to start?”
They settled into a rhythm with Clover strengthening the magical wards while Rook installed the security system. He found himself creating excuses to work near her, his tiger practically purring every time their arms brushed or their eyes met.
“About yesterday,” he ventured during one such moment. “The picnic and... after.”
“You mean when you kissed me senseless behind the willow tree?” The teasing lilt in her voice made his tiger want to demonstrate exactly how senseless he could make her. “Or when you nearly tripped trying to catch me when I stumbled?”
“In my defense, you stumbled because I kissed you senseless.”
She laughed – that genuine, melodic sound that made his chest tight. “Fair point.”
The bell chimed, interrupting their banter as a group of women entered the shop. Rather than browsing, they clustered near where Rook worked, their whispered conversations easily caught by his enhanced hearing.
“Look at those arms...”
“Do you think he’s single?”
“I heard he’s the new alpha...”
“Think she’d give us his number if we bought something?”
Rook pretended not to notice, but he couldn’t help tracking Clover’s reactions. Her movements became slightly sharper, her magic crackling with an edge it hadn’t held before.
“Excuse me,” one of the bolder women approached the counter. “We were wondering if?—”
“He’s married,” Clover cut in smoothly. “Very happily. Five kids. Two dogs. A cat. Possibly a hamster.”
Rook nearly dropped the screwdriver he was holding.
“Oh.” The woman’s face fell. “That’s... unexpected.”
After the disappointed group filed out, Halle, Clover’s assistant, sidled up to the counter. “Five kids?” she whispered loudly enough for Rook to hear. “Really?”
“Shut up.”
“You know, if steam could actually come out of someone’s ears, you’d be setting off the sprinkler system right now.”
“Don’t you have inventory to count?”
“Sure thing, boss.” Halle grinned. “But just so you know – jealousy looks cute on you.”
Poe cackled from his perch. “Finally, someone else said it! I’ve been watching this dance for weeks. Though I have to say, the hamster was a nice touch.”
“Both of you can find something else to do,” Clover muttered, her cheeks blazing. “Preferably in another room.”
Rook abandoned any pretense of working, moving to lean against the counter. “Five kids, huh?”
“Don’t start.”
“I’m just impressed you’ve given our future such thought.”
She pointed a threatening finger at him. “I will hex you.”
“No, no, I want to hear more about our dogs. And the hamster. Is it a magical hamster?”
“You’re impossible.” But she was fighting a smile, and when he reached for her hand, she let him take it.
“I want to take you home for dinner,” he said, running his thumb across her knuckles. The simple contact settled his tiger, who had been growing increasingly restless with the need to touch her. “Let me cook for you.”
“You cook too?” She looked skeptical. “Is there anything you don’t do?”
“I’m terrible at staying away from beautiful witches who pretend they’re not jealous when other women flirt with me.”
“I wasn’t jealous,” she protested, but her fingers tightened around his. “I was... professionally concerned about workplace distractions.”
“Of course.” He lifted their joined hands, pressing a kiss to her palm that made her magic spark. “Is that a yes to dinner?”
“Okay, but I’m swamped, so it’s going to be a few days,” she breathed. “But if you tell anyone about the hamster comment, all bets are off.”