Chapter 19
NINETEEN
“ I am not.” Vail grabbed her wine glass, hoping the cool liquid would calm her heating cheeks. “I’m simply... appreciating good craftsmanship. He makes furniture, after all.”
And if she’d spent an embarrassing amount of time watching those skilled hands work, admiring how his muscles flexed when he lifted heavy materials, or how his voice dropped to that intimate rumble when he leaned close to explain a design... well, that was just professional interest. Never mind that she’d caught herself imagining those strong hands cupping her face, drawing her closer, his warm mouth meeting hers...
“So that’s what it is?” Romi’s magic crackled with amusement. “Appreciating his... craftsmanship?”
“You’re so dirty.” But Vail couldn’t quite suppress her smile. Because yes, she had noticed. Noticed his shoulders, his hands, the way his whole body radiated carefully controlled power. Noticed how his bear energy called to her magic like a lodestone finding true north. Noticed the way his eyes darkened to molten gold when their energies harmonized...
Her phone chimed, breaking through her increasingly dangerous thoughts.
Just wanted to say thank you again for dinner. Your insights about hybrid magic were fascinating. I’d love to hear more of your theories, perhaps over coffee? No pressure – completely your choice.
Warmth bloomed in her chest. Always so careful with her boundaries, never pushing, yet making it clear he wanted to spend time with her. The opposite of Ames’s constant demands and attempts to control.
“That smile!” Romi bounced on the couch. “That’s definitely a Kaine-text smile. What did tall, dark, and bearish say?”
“Nothing.” But Vail’s magic danced happily, making the fairy lights shimmer in response. “He’s just... being nice.”
“Nice?” Sabine’s eyebrow arched. “Honey, that man looks at you like you’re the answer to every question he’s ever had. That’s not nice. That’s...”
“Destiny?” Romi supplied dreamily.
“Mate-bond material,” Clover agreed.
“You’re all incurable romantics.” But Vail’s protest lacked conviction. Because she’d felt it too – that instant recognition, that bone-deep certainty they belonged together. It terrified her. It thrilled her. It made her want things she’d sworn she wasn’t ready for.
Her phone chimed again. This time it was Ames: Come on, V. You’ve made your point about independence. Isn’t it time to come home? We can work through this magic obsession together.
The words hit like ice water, dousing her warm thoughts of Kaine. Magic obsession.
With trembling fingers, she typed a response to Kaine instead: Coffee sounds lovely. And thank you for being so patient with all this.
His reply came instantly: Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.
“Now that,” Sabine said softly, “is the difference between someone who wants to change you and someone who celebrates exactly who you are.”
Vail stared at his message, her magic humming with recognition. Because Kaine had never once asked her to be less. He didn’t try to dim her fire or contain her power. Instead, he matched it with his own strength, creating something more beautiful than either of them alone.
“I’m still not ready,” she whispered.
“No one’s pushing.” Romi patted her hand. “But maybe being not ready doesn’t mean never? Sometimes the right person comes along exactly when you need them to.”
“Even if that person is a sexy alpha bear who looks at you like you hung the moon?” Clover teased.
“You’re all terrible.” But Vail smiled into her wine, watching the tiny constellations swirl. Because maybe, just maybe, some complications were worth exploring.
Especially complications with really nice forearms.