Chapter 29
This wasn’t the first time Dina had been to visit Scott’s apartment, but it felt like the most important. Because she was going there on her own, with her own key. When Scott had presented it to her, complete with a little keyring that said “Talk to the hamsa” on it, she had squealed with glee and wrapped her arms around him.
Now here she was, unlocking his front door. Scott wouldn’t be home for another hour—he had a meeting with the head curator to finish up—but he’d told her to make herself at home.
Scott’s apartment, sans Scott, wasn’t particularly homey. Everything was so sparkling and new, and the floor-to-ceiling windows, although offering a beautiful view of the river, did make Dina feel a little like she was on show. She hadn’t minded that time Scott had fucked her with her breasts pressed up against the cold glass though.
He’d done what he could to make the space cozy, with cushions and rugs and a few potted plants. Still, they spent most of their time at her flat, because Heebie was just about as obsessed with Scott as Dina was.
Today she’d brought some orange and persimmon loaf cake from the café, and she set about brewing herself a cup of tea with the leaves she’d brought over last time. She would have to make sure to read Scott’s leaves tonight when he wasn’t looking, so she could see any hints of the hex at work. So far, it seemed like the hamsa, the tea leaves, and the midnight blessing rituals she’d done on his behalf were working.
He had narrowly escaped that falling poster at the museum the other day though. It had been a little too close for comfort; she needed to up her game.
Dina kicked off her shoes and changed into some cozy clothes while she waited for the kettle to boil. After the leggings incident the other day, she’d taken to wearing them around Scott in the evenings. They never stayed on for long.
She made her tea and stood looking out at the river, lights twinkling from the restaurants that dotted the bankside.
The door clicked open behind her. Scott stood there, his cheek grazed above the beard, his entire side splashed with mud.
“Don’t freak out,” he said, offering her a smile. “I’m not hurt.”
Dina ran to him as he put down his bag, running her hands over him to check for any injuries.
“What happened?”
“A cyclist ran into me as I was crossing the road. I don’t think they saw the stop sign. The bike knocked me over, hence the mud, but I’m fine, Dina, I promise. It looks way worse than it is.”
Her hands were shaking as she peeled him out of his coat. No, this wasn’t happening. Not yet, please not yet. Her eyes welled with tears and she couldn’t stop them from overflowing.
“Hey, hey, I’m okay. I’m okay, sweetheart,” Scott said, pulling her into his arms.
“I just—Idon’t want anything to happen to you,” she cried, her face falling into the crook of his neck.
“It’s just a shock. I know, I’m sorry,” Scott said, smoothing his hands over Dina’s back. “Come on, I have an idea,” he said, and scooped up her legs so she was wrapped around his torso.
He carried her through his bedroom into the en-suite shower, only detaching Dina from him to tug her clothes over her head.
“We won’t be needing these,” he said.
She stared at him blearily through her tears. What if she’d lost him, this man who she’d come to care about so deeply? This man who made her happier than anyone ever had, who knew every inch of her body and loved it so well.
The hiss of the shower turning on broke her out of her anxious spiraling, and she watched with a growing hunger as Scott stripped off his own clothing. Would she ever get tired of seeing the dense muscles of his chest, or the dark trail of hair that led down to his, quite frankly, magnificent cock? That seemed unlikely.
“Get in with me,” Scott said, and she stepped into the shower. Scott leaned back under the stream of water, running a hand through his hair until it was slicked back to the nape of his neck. Something blipped in Dina’s chest. All of this was feeling too real.
She buried her face against the wet hair on his chest, not caring about her hair or her makeup; she was at home in his arms.
Nothing could ruin this moment.
“Dina.” Scott kissed her head, his voice muffled by the running water.
“Mmm?”
“Look at me.” There was something so raw in his voice that she couldn’t help but look up. Scott brushed the hair out of her face, and Dina blinked away the water. He was here, and he was everything.
“I need to tell you something,” he began, then closed his mouth.
“Should I be worried?”
Scott cracked a smile. “No, you shouldn’t. I just don’t know how to say this without scaring you, because it scares me too. I know it’s only been a couple of weeks, but god, it’s been the best weeks of my life.”
Dina wanted to respond with something light-hearted like I’m flattered, or That’s sweet of you, but those words felt too empty. Her heart thundered in her ears; she couldn’t speak.
“And I want this to continue, I want us to continue. Because I’m falling in love with you, Dina. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel real, like I’ve conjured you from my dreams.”
She thought her head would be swimming, but everything was quiet. Only the same thought on repeat: He loves me, he loves me, he lovesme.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. Scott wiped them away.
He couldn’t love her. He shouldn’t. She suddenly felt disheveled, makeup running down her face, hair a total mess. She was too loud, too clumsy, her magic too strange. She didn’t deserve his love. The intrusive thoughts were infectious, attacking her mind with ferocity.
But that small, quiet voice inside her piped up: You love him too. You love Scott, and you can make this work. You can make sure the hex doesn’t hurt him. You’ll fight for him. He’s worthit.
“I love you, Scott. I’m scared, I’m really fucking scared, but I love you.” The words tumbled out of her lips but felt right, felt truthful. They held each other, and each kiss said I love you, each pull of their lips said You’re mine.
They had each other again in the shower, their bodies steaming—the need to be closer, closer. Dina’s arms wound around Scott, never leaving him for a second. He held her to him, like he would never letgo.
“I love you, I love you,” he whispered as the world crumbled around her.