Chapter 8 #2
I tried to clear my head as I walked down the lane toward the loch, but my thoughts refused to be manhandled into place.
I still had to tell Z about my job and about how I’d screwed up the spell on Torin.
And how was I supposed to tell Torin that I was now a part of an ancient magickal Order?
He was already unhappy with me for doing magick in his house, and on the first day out on my own, I’d gone off and joined some sort of mystical cult?
Aye, I was in for it.
But maybe—maybe—he wouldn’t mind. It was hard to say with him.
Frankly I didn’t know the man all that well.
What I did know was he kissed like he had all the time in the world to savor me, as though I was the only woman that mattered, and even just thinking about his mouth on mine again brought heat to my cheeks.
At the end of the lane, I glanced toward Zara’s work, but knowing she was likely busy and it wasn’t the time to get into what had happened with my spell, I turned away from Loren Brae and headed toward Torin’s, I mean, our house.
I was used to sharing a space, as most of my life I’d lived either with my sister or roommates, but still it felt odd to think of Torin’s gorgeous two-wing cottage as my home as well.
A horn honked lightly behind me, and I turned to see a lorry, with big wheels and dirt on the bumper, pull to the side. The front window rolled down, and Torin, his thick hair covered by a navy knit hat, poked his head out.
“If it isn’t the bonniest lass in Loren Brae walking home. Can I give you a lift, darling?”
You can give me a lot of things.
My cheeks flushed at my thoughts, and I ducked my head away as I rounded the bonnet and hopped up into the passenger seat.
Be an adult, Liora. Just because the man kissed you once doesn’t mean he’s going to do it again. Last night was an anomaly brought on by frustration and confusion. He’s had all day to think it over.
“Hiya, beautiful.” Torin shocked me by gripping the front of my coat with both hands, hauling me forward, and laying a searing kiss across my lips. I pushed at his chest, out of reflex more than anything, but then my fingers curled into his jacket.
God help me, but I may have moaned before he released me.
“Um, hi,” I said, flopping back into my seat. “You don’t have to do that, you know. The whole kissing thing.”
“Just gotta get something out of this shite situation you landed me in.”
I winced at his words and gritted my teeth as he pulled back onto the road.
“And I’m not talking about the dating you part.
Though, to be clear, fake dating is still a dumb idea.
I’m talking about the whole not being able to filter my words.
It’s significantly more difficult than I thought.
I was always certain that I wasn’t much of a liar, but now I realize that while I might not be a liar, I also heavily filter my thoughts around people. ”
“Which is probably a good thing, no? Don’t we all do that? Not all thoughts need to be spoken out loud.” Like how he thinks I’m beautiful. I had no idea what to do with that or figure out how that made me feel. Because it definitely made me feel some sort of way.
“I’ve had some time to think.”
Here it was. I knew once Torin had a moment away from me and had some time to digest what would happen, he’d be kicking me out of his house. It was what made the most sense. My track record with tossing him into shite situations wasn’t great.
“I’m not sure I care what people in Loren Brae think anymore.”
I turned to him, my mouth dropping open, surprised at his words.
What did he mean by that? Was he talking about the whole cheating rumor with Avery?
Or about telling people how I screwed up a magickal spell and he could only tell the truth now?
Or about the fact he’d kissed me? My mind whirled with questions, and when he glanced at me, a lightning-quick smile dashed across his face.
“You should see your face right now.”
“I mean, it’s a loaded statement, no?” I dropped back into my seat as he turned off the main road and bumped up the lane to his cottage.
Our cottage. As we pulled in, a red squirrel ran across the roof and stood on its back legs, as though waiting for us.
Narrowing my eyes, I zeroed in on the small tuft of white fur at the tips of Bracken’s ears.
It was how I was identifying him now, just so I didn’t try to launch into conversation with every random squirrel I met on the street.
Not that I met a ton of squirrels, but they were around.
“Hello?”
I jolted and turned to where Torin grinned at me, having turned the engine off and opened his door. I’d clearly just blanked out on everything he was saying, so focused was I on if the red squirrel staring me down was Bracken or not.
“I’m sorry, I floated away.”
“Glad to know I can keep your interest.”
“No, I swear, I am interested. It’s … been a day.”
Instantly, Torin’s mood shifted. He closed his door and rounded the bonnet, popping open my door and unhooking my seat belt before I could do anything else. I gaped up at him as he leaned in and hauled me out of the car.
The man was clearly used to lifting heavy things. I wondered if he even realized that several times now he’d just pulled me to him, or in this case, lifted me. It must be second nature to him, what with picking up logs all day long, but I certainly wasn’t used to being handled like this.
Not that I minded it.
Not at all.
“What happened and who do I need to beat up?”
My insides went all warm and gooey. He leaned over me, one arm braced over my head on his truck, and I suddenly felt all faint and fluttery.
Like a damsel in actual distress. Not a woman who had taken a magickal oath and was supposedly going to help defeat mythological water beasts.
A part of me desperately wanted to fan myself and ask Torin to take his shirt off while he chopped wood for the winter.
Settle down, woman. The whole forest is watching.
My gaze flew to where Bracken chattered at me from the roof. That little shite! And I couldn’t respond to him because then Torin would really have to decide whether he’d gotten himself in too deep with me.
“Long story. Shall we go inside? I’d love a cup of tea.”
“Aye, lass. I hope you’re hungry as well. I stopped at the market on the way from my last appointment.” Torin surprised me by opening the back door and pulling out a market bag full of food.
“You cook?”
“Of course, I cook. I’m a grown man, aren’t I?” Torin looked at me like I’d said the silliest thing in the world and whistled his way up to the front door before unlocking it and heading inside. I followed more slowly, waiting a moment until he was fully inside before looking up at Bracken.
“Did you know? About the Order?”
“I did. It’s why I said you’re mine. I’m here to help, lass.”
“Can we talk? Later or tomorrow? I need some help, I think.”
“I will come by in the morning after the man leaves.”
“Thanks, Bracken. See you then.”
“Are you talking to someone?” Torin appeared at the door, his coat off, and I smiled brightly at him.
“Just a cute red squirrel up on the roof.”
“Cute? I’m handsome,” Bracken chattered at me.
“Aye, I love those little buggers. They’re so fun to watch, aren’t they?”
“The best.” I trailed inside and closed the door behind me, realizing, belatedly, that I’d walked into the main room of the house and not my wing. I needed a moment alone, just to think about what I was going to say to Torin about my day.
“I’ve got the kettle on. Is lasagna okay? It’s easy enough to throw together.”
“Sounds great, thank you.” I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had cooked for me, let alone a man. It felt oddly comforting, to have someone to take care of me that way. “I’m just going to be a moment.”
Ducking inside my side of the house, I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath and then another.
Dropping my handbag on the table by the couch, I made use of the toilet, changed into some comfortable clothes, and then studied my reflection in the mirror.
Even my comfy clothes needed an upgrade.
I’d been budgeting for so long that it was easy to overlook the state of my clothes, but there wasn’t much I could do about it now.
When I did shop, it was typically at vintage stores, and I picked pieces thoughtfully, hoping they would last a long time.
My joggers and hooded jumper didn’t exactly fall into that category.
Indecision warred, but the need to feel comfortable after an emotional day won out, and I left the bedroom.
My gaze landed on my handbag where my now-magickal brooch was tucked away.
Did I bring it with me? Was I supposed to have it on me at all times?
Hilda had said it was more symbolic than useful, and I truly couldn’t imagine wielding a brooch in an attack, so surely it was fine where it was.
Decided, I left the brooch behind and slipped back into the main room to the scents of garlic simmering and music turned low in the background.
Torin had changed as well, looking just as rumpled and cute as he had yesterday, and I realized that I wanted to go over and give him a hug.
Stifling the urge, I wandered closer to the kitchen.
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Nope, just browning this meat to add to the sauce, and then I’ll layer the lasagna, and the food should be ready within the hour. That should be enough time for you to tell me whatever it is that has that line across your forehead. How do you take your tea?”
Automatically, I reached up to touch my forehead. Damn it, there was a line there. It must be because I furrowed my brow when I was concerned.