Page 46 of Unbearable Attraction
"I could get used to this," she told Minerva, who was sprawled across her desk in typical feline disregard for human work priorities.
The cat purred, apparently approving of her human's improved mood.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Luka appeared in her doorway, sawdust clinging to his flannel shirt and satisfaction radiating through their bond.
"How's the furniture coming?" she asked.
"Finished the last chair an hour ago. Miriam's going to love them." He settled into the armchair across from her desk, his presence immediately making the room feel more complete. "How many requests today?"
"Two more. One from a community in North Carolina, another from somewhere in Tennessee." She gestured at the letters scattered across her workspace. "Word's definitely spreading about what we accomplished here."
"We," he repeated with satisfaction. "I like the sound of that."
"So do I," she admitted, surprising herself with how easily the words came. "It's strange, after years of working alone, how natural it feels to include you in everything."
"Not that strange. We're good together."
"We are." She looked at him sitting in her armchair like he belonged there, his amber eyes warm with affection, and felt something shift in her chest. "Luka?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
The words were honest and unguarded in a way that would have terrified her months ago. Through their bond, she felt his joy bloom like sunrise, bright and overwhelming and absolutely right.
"I love you too," he said simply. "Have for weeks now. Was just waiting for you to catch up."
"Waiting for me to catch up?" She laughed, the sound light with happiness. "How did you know before I did?"
"Because you've been looking at me like I might disappear any moment, and the only reason someone looks at another person like that is if they're afraid of losing something precious."
The observation was so accurate it made her breath catch. "I was afraid. Afraid of wanting something I might not be able to keep."
"And now?"
She considered the question, examining the warmth flowing through their bond and the way his presence had become essential to her sense of home. "Now I think maybe being afraid was just another way of recognizing how much you matter."
"Good." He stood and crossed to her desk, pulling her up from her chair to wrap his arms around her. "Because you matter to me too. More than I thought was possible."
Standing there in his embrace, surrounded by the scent of cedar and the steady comfort of his love, Leenah found herself imagining things she'd never allowed herself to want before. A shared home where they could work side by side, combining their abilities to help supernatural communities throughout the region. Perhaps even children someday, little ones who might inherit both his earth magic and her necromantic gifts.
"What are you thinking about?" Luka asked, his voice amused. "Your emotions just went somewhere very interesting."
"The future," she admitted. "Our future. Things I never thought I wanted but now can't imagine living without."
"Such as?"
"A house big enough for both our workshops. Maybe a garden where you could grow wood for carving and I could cultivate herbs for spiritual work." She felt heat creep up her neck but continued anyway. "Maybe even a family to fill all that space."
His arms tightened around her. "I'd like that. All of it."
"Even the family part? Children who might inherit abilities from both of us?"
"Especially that," he said firmly. "Kids who grow up knowing they're loved and supported, who never have to hide what they are or pretend their gifts don't matter."
The quiet conviction in his voice told her he'd been thinking about this too, imagining a future where their bond createdsomething lasting and beautiful. Through their connection, she felt his absolute certainty that whatever challenges parenthood might bring, they would face them together.
"I used to think independence was the only kind of strength worth having," she said softly. "Now I think maybe the real strength is in choosing to build something with someone else."
