CHAPTER TEN #2
Screw being upset about the surprise looming. Delivered coffee forgives a lot of sins. I make gimme hands and snag the outstretched cup, taking a big gulp. The perfect blend of sweet espresso and chocolate coats my tongue. “That’s so good. How did you know I like mochaccinos?”
“It’s what you always order.” Brilliant green eyes glitter at me over the rim of his cup.
“So you’ve what? Been watching me this whole time to see what I like?” I noticed him around every time I went into town lately but kept telling myself it couldn’t be because he’s interested in me. A guy like him? Nah.
“Yes.” His voice drops to a purr. “The better to give you what you most desire, my wife.”
“Don’t call me that.” Even as the words leave my lips, my heart skips as my entire body flushes with awareness of him. I take another drink, trying to hide my blush behind the cup.
His grin goes hot and wicked.
Shit. Damned panther knows exactly how flustered I am, probably smells it.
When he opens his mouth, I brace for more innuendo, but instead he says, “Once you get dressed, I thought I’d take you to Cake My Day for breakfast.” Those clever eyes tell me he knows exactly how much I love the town’s bakery.
I’m no fool. The yummiest baked goods made by a fae brownie with hearth magic? Sign me the hell up. Even if this is all part of his game, the food will be excellent. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
When he doesn’t move, I flutter a hand at him, shooing him away.
The werepanther shoots me one last knowing grin, then glides from the room, his jeans hugging his firm ass. It’s flipping breathtaking to watch a guy as big as him move so silently and easily, like the best video game fighter to ever grace a screen.
The last of the mochaccino goes down smoothly, the sugar and caffeine jolt starting my brain. I’m so not a morning person, but I throw back the covers like a chipper Hallmark-movie heroine and hurry through getting ready, the temptation of donuts enough to speed up my normal slow start.
“Good morning,” Victoria spells out when I make it downstairs.
“Is it?” I snark.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m still upset with you.” I point at the wall. “That thing with the lights last night was not okay.”
The photos swirl around the parchment, shifting with unease.
“Victoria,” Shadow says, a hint of warning in his voice. “We talked about this.”
“I’m sorry.” The letters appear slowly, but they appear.
I let out a breath. “I forgive you.”
Applause comes from the kitchen, and the atmosphere brightens.
“Let’s get you that breakfast,” Shadow says, his green eyes glittering with amusement as he reads the T-shirt I picked: Don’t talk to me unless you’re willing to pay chocolate tax. “Thank you. I now know exactly what kind of donuts to get you.”
“How do you know I like donuts? I could like éclairs or chocolate croissants or something.” The town bakery has every yummy thing.
Instead of answering, his smile widens.
“Oh, right. You’ve been watching me for a few months.”
“No.” The werepanther steps closer, his voice deepening. “I’ve been watching you since the first day we met.”
My eyes widen. “That was over a year ago!”
“It was.” He tips his head.
“But… but… I didn’t notice.” Or is that true? Looking back, he had been around for quite a while—I simply didn’t realize it had anything to do with me.
“I noticed,” Victoria writes. “He always made sure you got home okay.”
“Is that true?” I demand.
“It is.” Shadow says it like it’s a simple thing, no big deal.
A shiver of shock goes through me. Confused emotions swirl in my chest until it’s a little hard to breathe. I don’t know which I feel more: mad or glad. On the one hand, I’m an adult who can take care of myself. On the other, no guy has ever cared enough to be worried about me.
“Shall we?” He extends a hand. “I’m eager to pay the chocolate tax.”
I’m not going to figure him out this morning, especially on an empty stomach. And I sure as shit don’t plan to turn down donuts or the chance to see more fae magic.
The second his fingers wrap around mine, he pulls me sideways. Victoria’s familiar entryway disappears. Color disappears. Sound disappears. The world becomes a slightly darker path cutting through gray mist.
“This is so badass!” I’ve been on the shadow roads once before for a split second, when Shadow whisked me and Skye to the fae dressmaker for the Valentine’s Day surprise Luke arranged for her.
“Don’t let go.” The werepanther gives me a smile that’s less polished than his usual grin. His grip firms. “Cat sith are the only ones who can navigate here safely. I can’t lose you.”
“Got it.” I appreciate his explanation. Understanding the rules of a new world is always one of the most important things to know in any video game.
“Come on.” He tugs on my hand, and we take off running at a light jog. I’ve seen him move way faster, so this pace is for me.
After only a minute, we pause, and Shadow strains forward, his neck craning as if he’s looking at something I can’t see, his head fading to partial transparency. When he pulls back, it becomes solid again.
“What the hell did you just do?”
“I’m making sure we have a clear spot to come out.” He takes a couple of steps to the left, does the transparent-head thing again, then tugs me forward. “Come on.”
We step out onto the town green, shielded from view by a small stand of dogwoods. Cake My Day stands directly in front of us, its pink gingerbread facade promising all the goodies waiting within.
Inside, the pastel-painted tables are full of a mix of humans and fae. I sink my teeth into my lip to keep from chuckling as one of the mega-goth shadow daddies bites into a pink-iced cupcake and groans, a look of pure delight on his face.
A group of gnomes tumbles from one of the tables. One of the tiny women stops beside us, extending a business card in a small, light-green fist. “I hear you’re married. Bling It On is the best place to get your rings. It’s never too late!” She shoots a pointed look at my naked left hand.
“I’ll get right on that,” Shadow promises, taking the card.
“Ask for me. I’m Diamond.” She gives him an approving smile, and white flowers bloom across the moss cap covering her white hair. Then she front flips out the door to join the rest of her troupe.
I lean close and whisper-hiss, “You do know we’re not buying wedding rings, right?”
“We’ll see.” Shadow slides the card into his jeans pocket with a smirk.
I stomp toward the glass display cases lining the back of the store, one filled with savory breads and hand pies, the other with every sweet baked treat you’ve ever dreamed of.
Severin, as king, pulled off a feat when he snagged a brownie baker for Ferndale Falls.
The diminutive fae are in high demand, having hearth magic that makes everything they cook taste amazing.
The cookies, the cinnamon rolls, the pies: all excellent.
But the donuts! Damn, the donuts are next level.
My mouth waters like a trained dog who just heard the dinner bell, and I try not to drool on the glass as Pepperpot finishes with a customer buying bread and comes over to us.
“What can I get you?” the brownie asks.
“First off, thank you again for a wonderful dinner last night,” I say. “That chocolate torte was to die for! And speaking of chocolate, I’ll have a chocolate glazed donut, please.”
“She’ll have two,” Shadow says, proving once again that he really does know what I usually order. He leans over my shoulder to get a look at the case. “And I’ll have a jelly-filled, a Boston cream, and a maple bacon. Make them to-go.”
He pays and leads me back outside. Instead of heading home, he walks to the green and sinks onto the ground.
In moments, we’re surrounded by the walking tulips, who hug me with their little leaf arms, flower heads bobbing as they beg for attention. A laugh escapes me as I pat their soft petals, sending little zips of magic into each. “Good morning. Yes, hello. Hi to you, too.”
When I look up, I find Shadow watching me. The small smile curling his lips turns into a knowing grin.
I frown. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Put on a fake smile.”
“It’s not fake. I’m happy to be with you.” He holds out the open bakery box, distracting me with chocolaty goodness.
I hum around a bite of heaven instead of answering. I don’t get the feeling he’s lying—and my BS detector is pretty good at that kinda thing—but I’m not sure it’s the full truth either. When he’s unguarded, I get these little glimpses of a softer, realer Shadow. A Shadow like last night.
A Shadow I could like.
Which has to be the most dangerous Shadow of all.