Page 40 of The Magic of Discovery
“Did you put the same protections around your place? If you need me to help do that, I can cancel my date tonight and help you,” I offered.Oh, shit. My date! What time is it?
She held up a hand to wave me off. “No worries, dear. My tiny house doesn’t need anywhere near the level of work this one did. I’ll take care of it after a nap. Roxanne and I were out shaking our asses under the moon last night well into the morning hours, and the whiskey was flowing like a waterfall. This shit sobered me right up, but it’s taking its toll now that I’m sitting down for a moment.” The last part was said around a yawn that had broken free.
“But before I nap, I do have a few questions of my own.” My gaze snapped to hers, and she blurted out, “When were you going to tell me about the man that slept here last night? And what’s thisdatethat you’re definitely not canceling?”
“Gran! How do you know there was a man here? Do I even want to know the answer to that?” I studied her amused face and smiled.
“First of all, the whole place stinks of leather and sweat. I’ve always appreciated a man who could rock some leather. Your grandfather—”
“No. Absolutely not. Donotfinish that sentence,” I sternly told her, miming zipping my lips.
Laughing, she added, “Second of all, your bed was a hot mess. One does not cause that type of disarray without just cause. Third, you are radiant, the look of a satisfied woman. Fourth, you’re sitting kind of gingerly on that chair, so I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that he’s into span—”
“For the love of the moooooon. We’re done. No more. Yes, there was a man here, and his name is Cam. He’s one of the mages who lives above The Pig,” I supplied as quickly as I could.
“Ah ha! I knew there was something to those tarot cards you chose the morning they moved into town. But if that were true, then...” Her eyes sparkled as her brain worked, and then she whooped, causing me to jump in my seat. “He’s not the only one vying for your affections.”
Sighing, I fessed up because she would find out soon regardless.
“No, he isn’t the only one. I’m actually kind of casually dating three of the four. In fact, I have a date tonight. He’s picking me up here at six, so I probably need to get a move on if I want to look like a real human before he gets here.” Checking the time, I gasped. “In an hour and a half!” I stood up, frantically grabbing our bowls and tossing them into the sink as gingerly as a panicked person could.
“Three men. You went from zero to three men in what? Ten days? That’s impressive. Reminds me of the time I once went from zero to five in sixty seconds, but that wasn’t a relationship. Strictly sexual. Hell of a wicked time.” A smile lit up Gran’s face as she lived out her glory days in her mind while mine cried out for her to stop.
Busting up laughing, I winked at her. “I’d never dare try to outdo you, Gran. I don’t believe it’s something that’s possible... though if I’m even going to try, Ireallyneed to get ready for this date.”
“Okay, I get it. My bed is calling my name. I’ll let you get all dolled up. I won’t come out to meet this boy tonight, but I make no promises that I won’t be spying from my windows to sneak a peek,” she teased, waggling her eyebrows at me as she stood and sauntered out of the kitchen.
What a freaking day.
Iwas nervous. When was the last time I had felt nervous? Sifting through my memories as I drove out of town toward Saige’s cottage, I honestly couldn’t recall. I could read people and manipulate their minds; that typically made me the most powerful man in the room. The only reason I was able to put a name to the fluttering feeling in my stomach was from dealing with this particular emotion so often from other people.
Feeling out of control and out of character, I tried to take some deep breaths. That’s what they told people to do when they were anxious, right? Yeah, it wasn’t really working. Her driveway came up on the right quicker than I would’ve liked despite having ridden around for a couple of hours, scoping out the perfect picnic spot, and trying to calm my nerves.
Turning onto the gravel path, I studied her cottage. Cozy and lived in. Those were the first words that I’d use to describe this place. A lot of it was covered in vines, and hanging baskets were suspended along the covered front porch. The siding was whitewashed, and the paint was chipping in spots. Maven came darting out from behind the house, yipping at my bike, so I slowed down, worried I’d hit her beloved fox. He sure didn’t give a shit, keeping pace with me the rest of the way to the house, snapping at my tires.Ballsy little devil.I laughed at his antics, only seeming to piss him off further. There was a garage on the side, so I pulled up there and cut the engine so that I could check my phone. There were a few messages from the guys, but I ignored those and opened up the newest one.
Saige: Come on in through the side door by the garage. I’m almost ready.
Those freaking butterflies were back as I pulled open the screen door and stepped inside. I’d made it to the hallway when the sound of someone coming down the steps pulled my attention to the left.
“Hey, you found the place!” Saige jumped down the last two steps and slid across the hardwood floors on her socks, wrapping her arms around me in an embrace as she collided with anoof. The nerves dissipated immediately as I reciprocated her hug.
“Yeah, the directions were pretty easy,” I replied.The directions were pretty easy?What the hell kind of response is that?
Giggling, she stepped back and smiled up at me. “I’m so excited to hang out with you tonight.”
I couldn’t read her emotions, but I could read her face, and she meant it. Joy and excitement were simply radiating from her body. She’d put on some light make-up, but her lips were painted a deep red. She was wearing a pair of ripped black skinny jeans and a dark green tank top that was more lace than anything else. Her breasts were pushed up, a necklace with a crescent moon hanging precariously close to the dip between those beauties.
“You look beautiful,” I breathed, my voice raspy as hell.
Pink bloomed on her cheeks, and she gave me a beautiful smile.
“You look good, too. I just need to grab my sweater. It’s still pretty warm out, but just in case I need it for later...” Stepping around me, she walked over to the hooks that lined the wall in the mudroom. Plucking a dark gray cardigan off one of the pegs, she draped it over her arm and turned to face me. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Right. Okay, let’s go.” Motioning for her to lead the way, she stepped outside and squealed when she saw my bike, the sound sending a wave of desire through my body.The sounds she makes... stars give me strength. Thanks for the tip, Cam.
“You brought your bike? Okay, this is already officially the best date I have ever been on.” She bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, her contagious excitement bringing a smile to my face.
“And to think, I was so nervous to take you out this whole time. All I had to do was bring the bike, and I’d be the winner of ‘best date ever’?” I teased, and she laughed along.
