Page 38 of Bargains with Benefits
“This seems like something unexpected.” I gestured to my hair.
“Well, you brought me here. You only have yourself to blame.” He seemed so focused on me that the rest of the tavern fell away. “As you say, I’ll let you determine what kind of male I am. You seem more than capable.”
I wanted to reach across the space between us and put my hand on his cheek. I wanted to press my lips to his. I wanted so many things that couldn’t be because we’d chosen this path. We still had weeks yet before Long Night. I still hadn’t tried to get Darius to invite me to Pierce House. I wasn’t even sure one invite would be enough. What if we didn’t find anything? I couldn’t wait until the last second, either; I needed Vincent to publish his article before Long Night if I was going to fill the inn in time.
Tomorrow. I resolved to send a message to Darius tomorrow.I’d update him on my progress. Maybe if he met with me somewhere neutral first, he would agree to a meal at the house for me to present my long-term plans for the inn. That could work.
Vincent stared at me. I’d been lost in thought for too long.
“Did you say something?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I think you might be breaking our bargain.”
My face fell. How could he know that? I was going to do everything I could. I hadn’t failed yet.
“Not that one.” His hand rested on mine, concern in his brown eyes. “You promised me at the apartment that we wouldn’t think about the column, your father, or our bargain on this adventure. I don’t think you’re holding up your end.”
My smile was tentative, and I turned on the stool to face him. As I did, his gaze slid down my body with appreciation. The look was far different from the one he’d given my colorful shawl. This look had me reaching for the empty drink glass, anything to steady myself. I wondered if he found me more attractive in these old fae styles. No matter how carefully his sister had selected the pieces, they still weren’t quite me. As much as I pretended I was fine with our approach, with appealing to the fae of Sandrin, I couldn’t say I enjoyed the idea that he might want to change me.
I was comfortable in my skin, even though my skin was somewhere in between fae and human. When Mom had passed, I’d found friends who accepted me for who I was. I’d decided I didn’t need to be accepted by everyone; a few who cared for me would be enough.
I was changing that with this plan. I told myself it was temporary, a plan to save the inn that would keep it mine past Long Night. If I didn’t do this, I’d have to find a new home. The memories of Mom that I’d carefully tucked away across the property would be lost to whatever new establishment Dariussold to. I didn’t want that to happen—apparently, more than I didn’t want to change myself to get customers.
Vincent’s gaze met mine and held. He leaned in, and something jolted through my body. His lips were at my ear. To the rest of the bar, it might look like he was leaning in to be heard above the music. We hadn’t been this close since I’d pretended to be his lover at the boutique.
“It looks like you require assistance freeing your mind,” he said.
I tilted my head, unsure what he meant, though I knew he was correct. My mind was still spinning over everything I had to do. Over every way he and I didn’t fit together because of the separate worlds from which we came. I’d learned tonight that we weren’t as far apart as I thought, both from old fae families but not living on the estate. I wasn’t sure that left us anywhere helpful, though. He still didn’t seem to appreciate things that broke the mold. And no matter how much he seemed to sincerely enjoy my company, I wouldn’t change for him.
“Excuse me, miss,” a voice asked over my shoulder, “would you care to dance?”
I turned to look at the fae in question. Water circled his hand, showing he intended to use his element if I said yes. He was tall, with long blond hair knotted at the base of his neck. A quick glance around the room told me the hour was later than I’d realized. Vincent had fended off the first suitor, but plenty more fae were looking to show off their magic. It appeared that Vincent and I were almost the only two in the tavern not locked in some magic display. No wonder this male had felt bold enough to approach. I opened my mouth to turn him down.
“Apologies, sir,” Vincent cut in. “I was about to request a dance myself.”
I gave the Norden a halfhearted smile, wishing him the best, and turned to look at Vincent. I was sure he’d only said that to get the fae to back off, but when I met his gaze, he wasalready standing, draping his coat on the barstool. Unsure about everything, I couldn’t shake free from the part of me that wanted to know what Vincent’s wind would feel like under his control. I was sure I’d regret this, but I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity. Taking Vincent’s offered hand, I let him lead me to the dance floor.
18
Vincent
What did I say?I had no time to reconsider the words that had shot from my mouth unapproved by my brain. Luna took my offered hand, and regret was the furthest thing from my mind when my hand closed around hers and I led her to the edge of the dancefloor. She was right; the magic usage had become more pronounced the longer we stayed. What had originally been a few couples showing off was now nearly every couple in the tavern experimenting with something.
My wind thudded in my chest. I wasn’t ready to let it out, but it swirled there as I considered that she’d chosen this place for me—for my magic. She had thought I’d enjoy the freedom. Truth be told, I probably would if I could get out of my own way. I was on edge from seeing my parents, from everything they’d said, from Luna getting hurt and taking her to the apartment, and the confusing way I felt around her. No wonder my magic was eager to play.
Now, I’d gone and let my pride take over. I hadn’t liked the first male leering at her, nor the second asking her to dance. It was incredibly unhelpful, though.
She wasn’t mine.
Maybe that doesn’t have to be true.The thought stopped air from flowing into my lungs.
“Vincent?”
I’d held her hand at the edge of the dance floor for too long. She probably thought I was hesitating, that I didn’t want to dance with her. Nothing was further from the truth. Luna’s big blue eyes looked up at me.
“Did you actually want to dance?” she asked. “Or were you trying to save me from rejecting that other male?”
She was so charitable, even in this. I’d had no idea she was planning to reject him. Everything in me hadn’t wanted them to dance together, so I’d acted. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to dance, but I knew—absolutely knew—that I wanted to be with her, even if only on the dance floor for the length of a single song.
