Page 3 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“I just told you, I’m a witch, and I can take care of myself.”

He raises an eyebrow, his doubt evident. “Kayla, you know ‘haphazard’ best describes your powers, and you barely use your magic anyway.”

“I don’t need a shifter lecturing me on how bad a witch I am,” I mutter, huffing as I turn away and glower out the window.

“You’re amazing at so many things, Kayla. Magic just doesn’t happen to be one of them, and that’s okay. He could have hurt you, though, and that’s not okay. You’re not going back there,” he declares.

“Well, you haven’t exactly left me with any choice. I doubt even that dive would take me back after you beat the shit out of one of their best customers,” I groan, dropping my head into my hands.

Maybe my bad luck was over? Right. How stupid could I be?

Two

Just One More Kiss

After he pulls the car to a halt outside of his home, Darren springs out, rounding the car and opening my door before I even unclip my seat belt. I roll my eyes as I climb out of the car. I really don’t need him to do all that. He shuts the door, and I hear the locks click before he leads me into the house. He feels safe while on pack land, or no one is dumb enough to break in, as he just pushes the door open without the use of his keys.

“Any reason you brought me here instead of my house?” I ask, as I kick off my boots by the door. The warmth of his home rushes over me as I walk further into the living area.

His eyes stay on me as I walk, as if a little confused for a minute, before my question registers in his head. “I'm sorry, I didn't even realise. I just drove. I guess the situation distracted me a bit.”

I bite my lip.Shit. This isn't good.Over the last few weeks I have immersed myself in research on shifters. I’d never paid much attention in the short, required class witches took on them. I wanted to discover any potential loopholes to the whole shifter only one love for life thing. I’d come across a few other interesting things while looking, but unfortunately, I found nothing about a loophole. There was something about their instincts, and how they protect theirmate, though. I feel a cold shiver down my back at just even thinking the word. His overprotective behaviour towards me is how a shifter acts with their partner. This can’t happen; nothing good can come of it.He can’t think of me this way.

“It's late, you can crash here if you want,” he offers, pulling my attention back to him and out of my panicked thoughts. He makes it sound so casual, but I know he wants anything but casual from me. The last few weeks have been great, but they’ve been a lie. I know that he doesn’t want to be my friend.

“Do you really think that's a good idea?” I question him, being blunt with my scepticism.

“I can sleep on the sofa in here,” he offers. His eyes are languorous in their perusal of me. “That is, if you want me too,” he adds. His words tempt me, but remembering what happened last time I stayed here, I know I can’t. I’m not sure I possess the strength to pull away from him a second time.

“Look, we've been over this,” I begin to retort. Feeling defensive, I stand up straight and cross my arms over my chest, as if my feeble arms could keep him at bay or hold me back from him.

“Yes, we have. I told you then, Kayla, and I'll tell you again now.Youare what I want, and I know you want me too. You've admitted that much. This is my risk to take, and I am willing to take it. I’ve stepped back, I’ve given you time, because you needed it. But do you understand how hard I fight myself to remain at a distance when I know you want this too?” He steps closer to me, and I struggle to hold my ground.

“It's my decision, and I choose not to hurt you,” I reply, meeting his eyes as I try to project my resolve and determination through mine.

“You won't hurt me.” He speaks with such confidence, I could almost believe him.

“But what if I do? How would I live with that?” I ask him, as he settles his hands on my arms, gently pulling them down from where they were crossed. Easily tearing down my meagre barrier.

“You won't,” he repeats.

“But—”

“No buts, Kayla. I've waited for you, and hell, I will keep waiting. You’re the one for me, and I've known that since I met you. You can't hide forever behind the excuse of not wanting to hurt me,” he argues, cutting me off and sliding his hands into mine.

“It's not an excuse.” I look down, staring at our now linked hands. Although his are so much larger than mine, they fit together easily.How do I make him understand?Witches aren't wired the same as shifters. We can fall out of love. We can break each other's hearts.

He unlinks one hand from mine, and with gentle fingers, he presses under my chin and tilts my head up. “It is. You say you're afraid to hurt me, but in reality, you're afraid of being hurt too. I won't hurt you, and I know that you won't hurt me either. People who lo—”

“Please don't say it,” I whisper, cutting him off. He takes a deep breath, and I can almost feel his exasperation in his exhale.

“Are you saying you don't feel that way?” he asks.

“No. I'm not saying I don't, but I also can't say that I do. I'm sorry, Darren.” I try to look anywhere but him, but he keeps me locked in his own gaze.

“Kayla,” he breathes out in barely a whisper. He moves his hand to stroke my hair, and I lean into his touch just a little, unable to resist. He tilts his head down, and I know I could—and should—pull away, but I don't want too.Just one more kiss couldn't hurt that badly, could it?

His lips press against mine, softer than I ever imagined his lips could. His kisses are normally hard, furious, passionate. As I kiss him back, I realise this is something else. This kiss is gentle, sweet, and everything that I'm not ready for. Everything that I cannot give to him. I pull away and his hands release me instantly.

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