Page 71 of Welcome to Fae Cafe

Connor’s mouth smashed against her face, and Kate released a shrill sound. His big lips encompassed hers like a wet muzzle. She kicked his foot with her heel.

“Connor!” she shouted as soon as he let her breathe.

He laughed and pulled the flaps of the coat tighter when she wriggled her arms to try and push him off. When that didn’t work, she threatened him. “Lily’s going to kill you for this!”

“I’m not afraid of Lily Baker,” he said, puckering his mouth again.

Connor was torn back so hard, Kate fell forward. Someone’s arm caught her as the coat slid off her shoulders, and she found herself grabbing onto a navy sweater for support.

Cool wind sailed against Kate’s skin with the jacket gone. She stared at the spot where her fingers curled tightly around the soft fabric at someone’s chest. The fragrance of deep, cold earth and sweet flowers washed over her.

“Officer Riley?” Connor half-asked, half-shouted from where he stumbled back on the dock.

Kate looked up and instantly dropped her fistful of Cress’s sweater. The fae Prince’s turquoise eyes flickered over to the policeman.

“C… Connor…” Kate wasn’t sure if she was accusing Connor or warning him to run for his life. She also didn’t know what to do next as Cress strode down the dock and took hold of Connor’s collar, squeezing the fabric the same way Connor had trapped Kate.

Kate reached out to dosomethingas the policeman gasped. In one sweep, Cress kicked Connor’s legs out, lifted him, and tossed him off the dock.

A loud splash sounded below, and Kate released a raspy gasp. “You can’t do that!” she shouted, racing to the dock’s edge.

Cress said nothing—he reached for her, took her hand, and began leading her back up the dock.

“Wait, we can’t just leave him! What if he drowns?” she said.

The fae Prince stopped walking. When he turned and looked back at her, it was clear he wasn’t concerned about the outcome. After studying Kate’s face for a moment, he released a low growl and marched back. Cress pulled off his sweater and dove into the dark water.

Kate pressed a hand against her chest as she crept along the dock and searched the lake. She didn’t even see bubbles. She scooped Cress’s sweater off the ground as she waited, fidgeting with the navy material.

Sputtering filled the air as Connor’s face appeared above the water. The fae Prince climbed the ladder, dragging Connor by his shirt and lifting him onto the dock with one hand like Connor was a bag of garbage being tossed to the curb.

Connor coughed as he hit the moist wood panels.

Cress marched back. Kate extended the sweater toward him with a shaking hand. He took it, found the hole, and reached to pull it over Kate’s head. He freed her hair with quick flicks and adjusted the shoulders as she slowly threaded her arms through the sleeves. He didn’t make eye contact. He just took her hand again and began walking back into town.

“Aren’t you freezing?” she asked him. She hugged her free arm to herself, trapping in the sweater’s heat. It was soft on the inside.

Cress’s hand tightened in hers, but he didn’t respond.

Kate felt like she was dreaming as they left the harbour path and crossed three roads to reach Hanes Street. The Prince avoided the streetlights and kept to the edges of buildings.

“Where have you been?” Kate tried again in a small voice. “Your assassins have been looking everywhere for you. They think you’re dead.”

His gaze stayed ahead as the glow of the café windows came into view. All the other shops and apartments down the street were dark. There were no cars left on the road.

Cress walked to the café door, swung it open, and dropped her hand. When she didn’t walk in, he said, “Get inside before the cold makes you ill.” His voice was low and quiet; not the bossy, demeaning tone he’d used before.

They were the only words he’d said since he appeared at the docks.

Kate shifted her weight on the sidewalk. “You shouldn’t have done that to Connor. The police will be looking for you now—”

“Go in, Human, before my brothers find out I’ve touched you.”

Kate still didn’t move, so Cress put a hand against her lower back and shoved her inside. He closed the door behind her, and the scents of coffee beans and pastries filled her nose.

She spun around, but the fae Prince had already left.

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