Page 69 of With This Witch
When she returns, Lachlan places a whole chicken in the pot, followed by a large quantity of water. He brings the pot to a simmer, places a lid on it, and then cleans up the mess he has made. As she watches, Petra realizes that his need for order likely stems from his need for a more comforting structure. Knowing his past now helps her see so much more of him. She feels the constant tension in her chest loosen as she realizes she wants to let him in. She wants to be accepted by him. Openly and wholly.
Warmth bubbles up inside her, her power flowing more brightly than it has in the last twenty-four hours. It pulls her toward him. As she stands there, watching him clean, it dawns on her. Her magic has been trying to tell her something all along, and she’s done her best to push it down, to keep it locked away. But not anymore.
Without warning or preamble, she says, “I think I love you.”
Lachlan drops his dishtowel on the floor. His mouth hangs open briefly, taking in what she just admitted before an enormous smile fills his face. He moves toward her slowly, as if she’s a scared animal that will bolt at sudden movement. But she’s not scared. Not anymore.
He takes the herbs from her hands, lays them on the counter, and then wraps his arms around her. “Youthinkyou love me?” She rests her forehead on his chest, looking down toward her feet. He lets go with one arm and places a finger under her chin, lifting it to look at him. “Please look at me when you repeat it. I need to see you when I hear those words from your lips.”
“I love you,” she says softly, purposefully.
“You love me,” he repeats.
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s about damn time.” He hugs her tightly, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he sucks in a deep breath, breathing her in.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve loved you for two years. I never thought you would give me the time of day to be more than a friend.”
She balks. “You have not loved me for two years!”
“I have loved you since you made my heart skip a beat that first day you walked in with Daisy and demanded she be hired. I may not have acknowledged it as love then, but I now realize it was.”
She melts into his arms. “You love me.” A statement. A confirmation. An affirmation.
“I love you,” he confirms, his lips meeting hers. His lips are soft and pillowy, sending waves of fire through her body. She melts into his body, his hard planes fitting perfectly against her curves. His chest rises, pushing against her breasts as he seeks to deepen the kiss, widening his mouth and brushing his tongue against hers, tasting sweet like candy.
At that exact moment, a tear-free Daisy enters the kitchen. “Glad to see you two have come to your senses. What smells so good?”
Petra and Lachlan separate, their gazes holding a promise for later.
“Lachlan made some soup. It won’t be ready for a bit yet, but in the meantime, we can chat in the living room,” Petra says.
Daisy nods in response. Her shoulders fall as she turns and strides down the hall.
Before Petra can follow, Lachlan reaches out, wrapping her in his arms again, kissing her gently on the forehead. “I’m just out here if you two need me.”
“Thanks,” she smiles before turning away to join Daisy.
When she enters the living room, Daisy is sprawled on the oversized white couch, with a pillow over her head and a cream blanket wrapped around her like a cocoon.
“Despite your master camouflage skills, I can still see you, you know,” Petra tells her, flopping onto the other end of the couch, turning sideways and stretching out her legs before her. “What’s going on?”
Daisy groans. “I’m a constant fuckup,” she says bluntly.
“I would disagree. I would say you are strong, courageous, and a bit of a spitfire,” Petra responds. “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?”
“Do I have to?”
“Given the state we found you in like thirty minutes ago, I would say yes.”
Petra picks up a pillow from the back of the couch and wraps it in her arms, resting it on her lap. Sensing that whatever Daisy is about to say will be significant; she needs something comforting to channel energy.
She watches as Daisy shifts, finding a more comfortable position. She twists and turns, flopping one way then the other, bending her legs and curving them to the side, then back out straight in front of her, arms flailing all over the place. Petra reaches out toward Daisy with her power. She whispers an incantation, sending a sense of calm over Daisy, helping her to relax. Daisy’s face instantly releases the tension between her eyebrows, her jaw unclenches, and her breathing becomes more even.
“Thanks,” Daisy says.
