Chapter 12 #3
“The magic will make you crazy if you let it,” she says sympathetically. “I’ve heard that if things feel a little unstable in your relationship, it’s normal to imagine all kinds of awful scenarios.”
Before I can respond, Rowan returns to the tearoom.
“Hi, Hazel,” he says when he joins us at the counter, and then he nods at the jam jars. “You filled our order quickly.”
“It was no trouble. I was making a few batches to restock the store anyway.” She gives the ice in her glass a stir, drinks the last of the tea, and then sighs regretfully as she gingerly lowers herself to the ground. “I guess I should get back now. It looks like it’s time to close for the day.”
“Thank you again, Hazel,” I say, wishing we could have finished our conversation. “See you later.”
The bell over the door jingles, and then the shop falls silent. Rowan produces his wand and points it at the door. The open sign flips over, announcing we’re closed, and he sets the lock.
“Now you’re just showing off,” I joke.
He looks at me, his body relaxed and his expression inviting. He’s entirely too handsome for my sanity.
“I think you’re easily impressed,” he says.
I shrug, leaning against the counter, wanting to get close but unsure what direction his moral compass is pointing today. Is it a throw-caution-to-the-wind sort of day? Or a keep-our-hands-to-ourselves sort of day?
Rowan’s gaze sweeps over my face. “What are you thinking about?”
“That we really need to get this bond mess sorted so I can kiss you whenever I want.”
His eyes flicker, darkening, and his smile becomes more of a smirk. “And how often is that?”
“You know how often I need hugs?”
“I do.”
“More than that.”
He chuckles, looking away and scrubbing a hand over his mouth, trying to hide a satisfied grin. “You need kisses?”
“Apparently.”
“How does one know that?”
I wait for him to look back, and then I smile, lifting my eyebrows. “You crave them.”
Rowan makes a noise deep in his throat, and his hand falls to his side. His eyes capture mine, and both my heart rate and my magic spike.
I can feel the bond pulling us together. It’s like we’re magnetized. The closer we get, the closer I want to be.
He jerks his chin up, beckoning me. “Come here.”
It’s a command—a yummy command. I close the space between us, shimmering, desperate for him to touch me.
Once I reach him, I look up, waiting.
“You want it?” he asks, his voice slightly gruff despite the playful tone. “Then take it.”
My magic sparking, I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. Rowan groans low, his eyes closing.
“Why won’t you touch me?” I ask, softly kissing him again.
“My willpower is waning.”
“Is that a problem or a party?”
He chuckles, his lips slowly moving against mine.
And then he reaches the end of his restraint. With a groan, he lifts me up and crushes his mouth to mine.
I end up on the tea shop counter, breaking health codes I’m sure, arms looped over Rowan’s shoulders. I trail my fingers through his short, thick hair. The bond purrs as our magic twines around us.
After several delicious minutes, Rowan pulls back, hands still on me, gray eyes on mine. “Kit.”
“Hmm?” I rub the back of his neck, enjoying the way his eyes shutter with pleasure.
He leans into my touch. “Do you think the Kit you were before we bonded would be able to forgive me for this situation?”
I laugh a little. “What?”
“The person you were, the woman who wasn’t under the influence of the bond. Do you think she’d be able to forgive me for this?”
“You realize I’m still the same person.”
His eyes search mine. Quietly, he says, “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” I kiss him softly. “But it doesn’t matter. I am her. And for what it’s worth, I don’t feel like the bond is manipulating my feelings. It’s just manipulating my…”
“Your what?”
“Need for kisses,” I laugh.
“I might not be able to undo this,” he admits. “I’m going to try—I swear I am. But I don’t know how to separate our magic when it merged so thoroughly.” He looks defeated. “This might be permanent.”
“Since we’re talking about it, I need to ask you something as well—and you must tell me the truth. Let’s say I wasn’t here, and you changed back without my assistance. Would you marry Keira?”
I hold my breath as I wait for his answer.
His expression solemn, he holds my gaze for several seconds before he says, “No.”
I breathe out slowly, feeling a little lightheaded. “Really?”
“Really.” He frowns. “Have you been worried about that?”
“So worried,” I admit. “She’s beautiful, well-dressed, high fae, and tall. You two would have gorgeous children. And she—”
“Isn’t you.”
“But if I weren’t here—”
“Even then, I wouldn’t marry Keira.” He touches his forehead to mine. “I swear.”
“All right.” I close my eyes. “Are you still going to the college tomorrow to research all this?”
“That’s the plan.”
“You’ll be gone all day?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Fine,” I sigh and then look up at him through my lashes. “Then do you want to make out here for a bit longer before you have to take me home?”
Rowan laughs and tugs me close, sliding me across the counter until I’m flush against him. “Yeah, okay.”