Page 53 of Magic Touch
He stands too close and smells of herbs and spices. I'm drunk with his scent. "I know, but I do miss you, Esme. May I come to your room? I'll not ask for your body, but just your time. Time alone with you is so precious to me."
I should say no. We have been ten days with barely a moment alone. My desire for him hasn't waned in the slightest. "How will we know if what we share is truth or magic?"
Taking a step back, his gaze falls to the floor. "Maybe I don't care which it is."
"I don't believe you." I touch his cheek where the hint of a beard rubs my fingers. Dropping my hand, I change the subject. "Why did Simon scratch Trina?"
His lips tug back into a grin. "Because for a smart girl, she can do some very silly things."
In my opinion, Trina is more cunning than smart, but I keep this to myself. I suppose she is bright enough. "What silly thing did she do?"
"She thought to test my skills of levitation on a living thing."
My anger flares. "You didn't levitate Simon."
Gently, he tucks a stray curl behind my ear. "Of course not. I levitated a caterpillar crawling along the sill."
The contact makes me yearn for more. "I still don't know why my cat scratched Trina."
"Because she decided she would show me how it was done properly and tried to lift Simon from the floor. I know this will sound crazy, but Simon looked as if he knew what she was about. Since she's been here, I've seen her levitate many things, but she couldn't lift the cat. After thirty seconds, he hissed and gave his best roar. Then he jumped up on the counter and clawed her outstretched hand." William tries to hide his grin, but he only succeeds in looking even more handsome in the attempt.
"And you healed her?" He should have let her bleed.
He raises his hands as he shrugs. "It was good practice, and I felt a bit responsible."
"Why would you?"
"I kept the cat grounded. I countered her magic. It wasn't right to lift poor Simon. If he were in danger, I could see it, but to manipulate him seemed wrong to me." He shrugged again. "Besides, countering a spell seems like a useful talent."
"How did you know what to do?" My adoration for him grows with every moment. However, I never taught him a counter spell.
"I've been reading my family’s remaining grimoire. There was a simple counter spell in it and even a notation about using it without the other witch knowing." His grin is wide.
"You amaze me at every turn, William." The spicy scent of him is like a drug, and I want to wrap myself in him and never let go.
He moves closer until I can feel the heat of him. "It's nice to have even a few minutes alone with you, sweetheart."
I press my cheek to his chest. He's so familiar and perfect. I admit, "I was jealous."
He pulls back and looks me in the eye. "When? Why? Of Whom?"
The rapid questions make me giggle, but I can't meet his stare. I'm ashamed of how I felt when I heard them alone in this little room. "Just before I walked in here, when I heard Trina saying how good you are with your hands. I have no right to jealousy, and I do believe it's the first time in my life I've ever felt such a ridiculous emotion."
Pressing his index finger under my chin, he lifts my gaze to his. "Trina is a very pretty young woman. I'm sure she shall make someone a fine wife, but I'm not interested in her beyond whatever she can teach me of magic. Do you believe me?"
"Of course." I mean it. I know William is not the kind of man who would bed me one week, then chase another skirt the next. He's a man of honor, and he cares for me. Even if our paths are not moving in the same direction, we are friends. He would never knowingly hurt a friend.
His stare drills into me as if he's looking for lies versus the truth. "I don't know what will be between you and me. To be honest, I don't even know what you want from your future. All I can promise is that I'll not ever betray you."
Betray me? He owes me nothing. I'm neither his wife nor his fiancée. There is no commitment or contract between us. I open my mouth to ease his worry, and Trina calls from the house. "Great Mother is asking for the two of you!" she bellows, far louder than necessary.
Sharing a private smile with William, I call back, "We're on our way."
When we enter the parlor, tea is already poured. I place my potted flower on the table.
Prudence raises a brow at the bloom then turns to me. "How is my friend Clair today?"
"She is well, and she has an admirer." I sit and accept a cup of tea.
