Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“My mom came and spent the day with me. She wanted to help me get caught up with work, but we didn’t get much done. We mostly just talked all day.”
“That’s accomplishing something.” He smiles. “She looks good.”
“I think she’s doing well. It’s been tough on her and Astrid since Aunt Agatha died, but they’re recovering.”
“It’s good that they have each other,” he says.
“How are your parents? I haven’t seen them in a while.”
“They’ve been in Philadelphia, visiting my dad’s family. Unfortunately, his father’s been ill.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I think they plan to come home in time for Beltane. It’s Mom’s favorite holiday.”
“I love it, too. The mid-point between the spring equinox and summer solstice, and how everything is getting so green. So much promise in that.”
“That’s what she always says.”
He grins, and his gaze falls to my lips.
Goddess, I want him to kiss me more than I want just about anything else.
As if he can read my mind, he steps a little closer and reaches out to glide his hand across my hip. Just as his face lowers, right before those lips press over mine, my phone rings.
“Don’t answer it,” he urges softly. “They’ll call back.”
“Good idea.”
The kiss is everything I’ve dreamed of for years. Soft and sweet, yet just a little demanding and confident.
Giles wants me.
I don’t have to be sensitive to feel it coming off him in waves.
And it’s the best thing I’ve ever felt in this or any lifetime.
“You’re so fucking sweet.” His breath is hot as he rests his forehead against mine.
“I was thinking the same about you.”
He pulls back and lifts an eyebrow. “Sweet?”
“Oh, yeah. Along with some other things.”
“Let’s talk about those other things.”
Chapter Four
Giles
Breena’s phone rings again, pulling us out of the sexy intoxication we’re in and dropping us right back into reality.
“I’d better get that,” she says apologetically with a smile before pulling away to reach for her cell.
I feel the loss of her all the way to the marrow of my bones, which is ridiculous because she’s right here. But my need for her grows every day she’s in my house. The need to protect her. The need to touch her.
The need to fucking love her. I won’t even get into the desperate need to take her to my bed and make her mine in every way possible.
It all seems to be moving so fast; I feel like I’m in hyperdrive. But I also don’t want it to stop. Because until Breena came to stay here, I felt like I was living in black and white. The moment she walked through the front door, she cast my entire world into vivid color and brought life into my house.
My phone rings, and I leave the room to answer it.
“This is Giles.”
“You’re so professional.”
I grin at my mother’s voice. “Well, hello there. I didn’t even look at the caller ID. How’s it going in Pennsylvania?”
“Better, actually. Harry’s starting to feel better, much to everyone’s surprise, so your father and I are coming home tomorrow. I need to tend to my gardens and get ready for Beltane. How are you? I sense stuff going on, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
I hear Breena laughing in the other room and let out a long breath. “A lot has been going on, actually.”
“Are you safe?”
My parents’ fear has been palpable since Samhain and everything that happened with the evil entity that’s hell-bent on killing us.
And almost succeeded with one of us.
“Yes, I’m safe. Breena’s staying with me for a while, and we’ve come up with a new idea to hopefully break the curse on Hallows End.”
“Well, I can’t wait to hear about everything.”
“Why don’t you and Dad come over for dinner on Friday?”
“That sounds perfect. I’ll see you then. Stay safe, son. Blessed be.”
“I love you.”
I hang up and take a deep breath. I’m glad they’re coming home. I’ve had a niggling feeling in the back of my head since they left town, something telling me they shouldn’t have gone.
Having them back in Salem will make me feel better.
“Who was that?” Breena asks as she walks into my office. Suddenly, her eyes widen, and she claps her hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry. That’s none of my business.”
“It was my mother,” I reply easily, shoving my hands into my pockets so I don’t reach for her again. “They’re returning from Philly and coming here for dinner on Friday.”
“Oh, that’s great. I’ll go hang out with Lorelei while they’re here.”
“Why would you do that?” I lean on the desk and tip my head to the side. “You don’t have to go anywhere, Breena. You’re living here. Besides, my mom will be upset if she doesn’t get to see you.”
“I really do love your mom,” Breena admits softly. “And I wanted to ask her for a recipe.”