Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Faelan
“Do you think all your challenges will be met through healing?” Sophie asked, stroking Lady Lola’s back.
It had been two weeks since the morning that I’d healed Malarky and ended up in Luch’s bed.
Today was our first time going on a date with another couple.
I couldn’t say who was more nervous—myself or Luch—and we’d very nearly canceled on Sophie and Lachlan an hour before we were meant to meet them.
When Sophie had discovered that Luch and I were actually dating, she’d squealed and insisted we get together, and I’d agreed simply because her excitement over my happiness had warmed my heart.
It was odd, really, this whole having close friends thing, and I was still getting used to the way the group of women easily dissected everyone else’s personal relationships.
I was accustomed to my life being watched as if under a lens, but it was usually one of suspicion, not one of support and admiration.
We’d been invited for drinks at the castle, and we were hanging out in a games room that was easily three times the size of my flat. Lachlan and Luch played billiards, or pool—I wasn’t really sure—and talked about rugby while Sophie and I hung out by a table loaded with snacks.
Which, naturally, had drawn both Lady Lola and Sir Buster to nose their way into the room. Now I was stuck, having been taken hostage by Sir Buster, as he perched on my lap and alternated between growling and giving me impatient looks because I wasn’t feeding him cheese as often as he’d like.
“I don’t know,” I answered, truthfully, as I carefully took a bite of cheese while Sir Buster eyed me balefully. “Because I healed Mitch, didn’t I? And then Malarky. Wouldn’t that have been my third challenge? If it was just healing based?”
“Hmm.” Sophie scrunched her nose up, leaning back into the cushions. She gave a whistle when Lachlan pocketed a ball at the table. “That’s my man.”
Lachlan gave her a wink over his shoulder, and she beamed.
“Isn’t he the cutest?”
“In a reserved sort of way, he is,” I agreed, grinning at her. Sophie and Lachlan clearly were besotted with each other and had no qualms about sharing it.
“He’s not reserved when he needs to be, I’ll tell you that much.
But otherwise, yes. He can be a bit uptight, so I try to ruffle his feathers whenever possible.
” Sophie pulled her eyes away from where Lachlan leaned over the table, the denim stretching tight over his bum.
Admittedly, it was a very nice bum. “Now, tell me. How’s it going with Luch? You two are so cute together.”
“Are we?” I flushed, unsure of how to handle such an open assessment of my relationship with Luch. It felt all too … new and fresh and untouched. A part of me had wanted to keep our dating a secret, something just for us, untainted by the opinions of others for a while longer.
Luch told me he’d be fine either way, but he’d also been very clear that he was proud to have me on his arm, a comment that had landed us back in bed. Who even said things like that? Proud to have me on his arm. I grinned, remembering his words.
“Oh yeah, you’re a smitten kitten.” Sophie tapped a finger on her lips, and I almost squirmed in my seat.
“I don’t know. I just like him. And I like Loren Brae. And I’m making friends, and it’s just … och, it’s just things feel like they’re finally falling into place, you ken?”
“I mean, you certainly balance each other well. You’re both in the health professions, you care about the well-being of others or animals, so I’m sure that’s something to bond over.
What’s he like though? I’m having a hard time getting a read on him.
Munroe said he’s tried a few times to invite him out for drinks, but he keeps to himself. ”
“Yeah, he’s a bit of a homebody. The hospital’s understaffed, so long hours and a draining job will do that to you.
I think he’s peopled out when he gets home.
He takes a lot of long walks to de-stress.
I like that though. Even on days where we don’t talk a lot when we walk, it’s just …
nice, you ken? To walk in silence with someone.
Like you’re sharing space, but not taking up mental space, I guess. ”
“Is that something you need?”
“Mental space?” I leaned back, absentmindedly stroking Sir Buster and ignoring his growls, because I’d quickly learned as soon as I stopped petting him, he’d get annoyed with me for not giving him attention.
“Aye, I do at that. Being in my profession, people need you all day long. You answer so many questions, you field a lot of high emotions, and then you go home and somehow just need to … turn it off. Just exist. And I think if I was dating someone who needed a lot from me, in the way of full mental focus after a long day? It would be tough. It’s nice not having to explain that to Luch.
We can be together but not drain each other. ”
“Plus he’s a hottie.” Sophie fanned herself, and Lachlan turned to her, an eyebrow raised.
“I heard that,” Lachlan called.
“Just appreciating the view, love.” Sophie blew him a kiss, and I was absolutely delighted to see Luch’s face flush at the attention.
“As I said, I like him.” I lowered my voice, leaning into Sophie. “And that kind of scares me. I haven’t dated in a long time.”
“Why?” Sophie turned to me, her face devoid of judgment.
“Always moving. People aren’t that accepting of magick. Finding friends with powers? It’s been …” I shook my head. “Life-changing, I would say.”
“And he knows?” Sophie murmured, breaking off a piece of cheese for Lady Lola.
Sir Buster stood up on my lap, immediately taking offense.
“Stand down, little man.” I reached over and gave him a small sliver of cheese to appease him. “And yes, he knows.”
“And?”
“I …” I shrugged. Luch and I had had a long talk about the healing, when I’d been ready to talk to him about it, and he’d since followed up with thoughtful questions.
I kept sensing I was missing something with how he’d phrased his questions to me, but I never pushed it, since he’d told me the story about the healer and his mum’s injury during childbirth.
It felt like I was slowly retraining him to think differently, and we’d had a few lively discussions about the blend of magickal power with science.
I had to admit, one of my favorite things about Luch was his brain.
We bounced ideas back and forth, and our discussions, when we were up for them, were often lively and varied.
Luch met my eyes from across the room, as though he knew we were discussing him, and my insides warmed.
Part of the reason we didn’t always talk a lot was because we were busy doing other decidedly delicious activities. After the first time he’d made love to me, so very gently and sweetly after my healing disaster, he’d gone on to show me he had another exceptionally interesting side to him.
Holy hell, but I had been right to be a touch nervous of him the first time we’d met.
There was an undercurrent of energy to Luch that, when unleashed, was frankly—wild.
Any chance he could, he was bending me over and having his way with me, leaving me panting and begging for more.
Or he’d drop to his knees and savor me until my thighs were shaking and I was coming in his mouth.
It was like once he’d had a taste of me, he was insatiable, and even now, just thinking about his hands on me, a warm rush of excitement went through my body.
I crossed my legs and picked up my drink, needing to cool my suddenly dry throat.
“Hi. I’m Sophie, your friend?” Sophie snapped her fingers in my face, and I dragged my eyes away from where I’d been watching Luch lean over to take his shot.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
“I know that look.” Sophie laughed. “I’m very much guilty of it myself. Right, I was asking how he was, with the magick? Obviously not upset if he’s here, right?”
I didn’t know if his mum’s story was one to share with others, so I just bit my lip and considered my words carefully.
“I’d say he’s reserved in his opinion on it but open to learning. He asks a lot of questions, and I appreciate that he’s trying to understand how the magick blends with science.”
“That’s fair.”
“Ladies.” We both gaped up at Luch, not having heard his approach, and Luch held out his hand to me. Sir Buster immediately leapt from my lap. “I’m on early tomorrow.”
I knew the expression on Luch’s face, and my cheeks heated.
“That’s right, I forgot. How silly of me.”
“Uh-huh.” Sophie laughed and got up, putting Lady Lola on the ground. The dogs immediately gave chase to each other, racing around the room, and Lachlan came over to wrap his arm around Sophie’s waist.
“I’m glad we did this. See you at Sunday dinner one of these weeks?”
“Definitely. If I’m not on nights,” Luch said. We quickly said our goodbyes and Sophie winked at me as Luch almost dragged me out of the castle. Before we’d even made it halfway home he had my back pressed to a tree, my arms over my head, and was kissing the delicate skin of my neck.
“You were thinking about this, weren’t you?” Luch’s breath was hot against my skin, and desire ran warm and liquid through me.
“It’s hard not to.” I smiled and turned my face to his kiss. “You look cute playing pool.”
“Just cute?” Luch asked, affronted.
“Devastatingly handsome,” I amended, arching myself forward so my body brushed against his.
“It’s hard for me to focus on others when you’re in the room. I just want to scoop you up and whisk you away.” Luch trailed kisses across my cheek and nibbled at the delicate lobe of my ear. “Mine. All mine.”
Heat flashed at his words. I’d never thought I’d be someone who responded to a man’s possessiveness, but from Luch?
It was intoxicating. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was a doctor, and could maintain a singular focus with such precision, but when he switched over to “it’s go time” mode, I’d never felt so seen or enjoyed in my life.
We could be having a simple conversation about a book we read, relaxing after a long day, and the instant Luch shifted into his desire for me, I knew I’d be his entire focus until he’d made sure I’d found my pleasure, over and over, before he’d take his.
His careful attention made me feel … treasured.
Important.
Cared for.
Respected.
I hadn’t even known that I needed or wanted that from a man, but being with Luch was such a far cry from being with the, well, boy that my last boyfriend had been, that I really had no comparison.
A dog howled, a small sound in the night, but Luch whipped his head up, his attention diverted. He dropped my arms and I straightened, surprised.
“Is everything—”
“Shhh,” Luch said, his ear tilted to the night sky.
That was odd. It took a lot to break Luch’s focus, even though it was probably for the best. It wasn’t like the man could ravish me against a tree in the garden of MacAlpine Castle.
Surely, they had cameras around here? Flushing, I stepped away from the tree and back out onto the pavement.
I could only imagine what that would look like if Archie reviewed the camera footage.
The waters of Loch Mirren remained calm, but I no longer trusted them, not after the night where I’d seen the Kelpies in real life. Since then, I skirted the loch, often taking the long way back to my flat to avoid walking along the shores. Unless Luch was with me, of course.
He always made me feel safe.
“Sorry, it must be nothing.” Luch shook his head and then took my hand, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted was to have such a nice night end with a battle on the Loch Mirren shores.
“That’s quite all right. I mean, it’s good to be cautious, isn’t it?
” I’d told Luch about my encounter with the Kelpies, and ever since then, he either dropped me off at my place, or he walked with me if I went anywhere at night.
I appreciated the protectiveness, even though it didn’t make sense in the long run.
What we needed to do, as an Order, was to ban the Kelpies from Loren Brae.
I still hadn’t told Luch about the Order of Caledonia, as he was still coming to grips with the idea of me being a healer.
One step at a time.
Day by day, we’d ease into this relationship, and maybe, if Luch was really as solid as I was beginning to feel he was, we’d navigate this unusual town together.