Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“I know, so yeah, when this threat is over, I’m gonna come live in this amazing, scary place with you because I’ve never felt more comfortable anywhere in my life.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
He wanted to be with me in my home that I was finally going to share. “I was afraid if we…here, that you’d be caught in a spiderweb, and I wanted you to make your own decisions and not be stuck or—”
“I’m choosing you, Xan.” His hand slid to my lower back and then to my ass, settling there protectively, possessively. “All mine.”
I closed my eyes and let the words sink in.
He chuckled softly. “You have no idea what you’re in for.”
But he was mine too, and that was all that mattered.
TEN
We slept, got up, showered, changed, ate sandwiches, and began our hunt for Threun. The books I normally used, that were in my bedroom, basically echoed what Declan said which was “possible mountain god.” Lorne checked the internet on his phone and there were strange results, none of which were at all helpful. He brought up more books from the new library and I showed him where my grandfather’s books were in his den. We went through those, without success and then he announced he was going home to get his laptop.
“You realize there’s no electricity in my house,” I told him. “That light in the library you turned on, those are still gas lines powering gas lamps.”
“With pilot lights which are handy,” he teased me.
“I––”
“But I understand about the lack of electricity,” he replied with a smirk. “Which is why, since I knew I wanted to spend time with you here, I bought a solar-powered laptop charger and one for the phone.”
I was stunned. “You planned to stay.”
“Well, no. I planned to visit. I’ll need to get one for my shaver as well, but for now, however you’re keeping the scruff on your face tamed, you’ll have to do mine as well.”
“It’s called a straight razor,” I teased him.
“Fine. Just keep in mind I go to work during the week at six in the morning, so you might need to wake up early.”
It was a small price to pay to keep him sleeping in my bed.
“So?” he prompted.
“Oh yes. Shaving. I’m on it. I will be your personal barber, no problem.”
“Excellent.” He kissed me goodbye and left but was back moments later.
“Forget something?”
He cleared his throat and took out his phone. “Earlier, there was no condom, so I wanted to show you my last medical screening.”
“I trust you,” I said flatly. “I don’t need to see that. I know you’d never put me in danger, and as for me, my magic would let me know if I was unwell in any way.”
“Okay, then. Good. Just wanted to make sure that was understood.”
“That we’re free and clear to have sex again?” I goaded him.
“Yeah. That,” he said with a rakish grin that turned me inside out.
“I’ve got it bad for you, Chief MacBain.”
“That’s good, since I feel the same.” He darted over, laid a kiss on me that curled my toes, and was out the door before I could say another word.
Minutes later, the front door opened, and even expecting Lorne, I was not disappointed to see Amanda breezing into the cottage, putting several heavy bags down on the kitchen table.
“Good morning,” I greeted her.
“No,” she said quickly. “All I want to hear is why Chief MacBain and not Declan Grant.”
“Declan and I are going to be excellent friends. You’re right, he’s amazing. But one of these days, I’m going to marry Chief MacBain.”
“What?” She seemed horrified. “Nooo…” She drew out the no with a whimper at the end. “He’s no fun. He’s going to stifle you completely.”
“He’s actually a rock, and let’s face it, I need and want one of those in my life.”
She tipped her head back and forth, considering that. “It’s true; you’re more bird than solid, immovable rock.”
I had to smile over her phrasing.
“But really, darling, I just don’t want anyone to come between us.”
Which was why she’d decided on Declan. After meeting him, she knew she could roll right over him. She didn’t like people who could stand up to her.
“No one will ever come between us. I promise.”
She exhaled sharply. “Well, then fine, bring him to dinner. I’ll make the eggplant parmesan you love.”
I grabbed her and hugged her tight.
“Okay, okay, get off me.” She walked over to the still open trapdoor. I was strangely concerned that if I closed it and extinguished the light, it might disappear, though that seemed a bit insane. “Why is this open? I thought you said you liked the man. What if he falls down and breaks a leg?”
“Look in there. There’s been some renovations.”
She knelt and poked her head in. “Oh, Xan, this is lovely and—why is there a book perched on the ladder?”