Page 7 of Trick or Trouble
Not anymore.
She started when she felt two warm hands on her shoulders, their gentleness surprising her.
“Why don’t you stay here tonight, Darcy.I can take you home in the morning after you get some rest.It’s getting late to be calling anyone anyway.”
The kindness in his tone brought a prickle of tears to Darcy’s eyelids, and she gulped to swallow the lump that was trying to form in her throat.She would not embarrass herself again in front of this man.Shrugging a slender shoulder, she replied, “No, I can’t do that, but thanks for asking.”Her shoulders tingled where his hands touched her.She looked up into his warm, dark eyes full of concern and found herself wanting to stay despite what was coming out of her mouth.It would be nice to be taken care of and protected for once.
“There’s nothing improper about you staying here,” he assured her.“Holly is here, and there’s a spare bedroom, fully furnished.You can borrow some of Holly’s clothes and make fresh plans in the morning.”
He smiled down at her, and Darcy found herself melting.
That smile should definitely be registered as a weapon.
What was happening to her?She didn’t even know Logan, and yet she instinctively knew that had she called him for help, he would have come as fast as he could to get her.Disconcerted, she tried to get out from under those hands and away from the spell he was weaving around her.“I don’t think...”
“I insist.After all, it’s the least I can do to make up for spanking the wrong witch,”he teased.Those teasing dark eyes should be registered as weapons, too.
Darcy tried to drag her gaze away from his, but her eyes refused to cooperate.“Alright,” she whispered, her mouth dry.She held her breath as his head dipped lower.Her lips parted in anticipation.She was surprised when they merely brushed across her forehead in a chaste kiss, and she hated that she was disappointed.The microwave dinged.
“Your spaghetti is ready,” he murmured.
Was it her imagination, or were his hands trembling slightly as he turned and strode across the kitchen?Then he came back and set the plate of food in front of her.His fingers seemed to linger on the glass of tea as she took it from him.
When he turned away to put the empty spaghetti container in the dishwasher, she tucked into the food like she hadn’t eaten for days.There might be some truth to that.She didn’t have time to cook much, and Pamela didn’t cook at all.And of course, neither did her ex.Doug was great at ordering take-out, but didn’t know how to turn the stove on.If it weren’t for his mother, he’d starve waiting for her to cook meals.Her schedule didn’t put her at home much around dinnertime, and she skipped more meals than she ate.
Which was only one more log on the fire of his discontent with her job.Doug wanted her at home in the evenings to attend tohisneeds.
In reflection, she realized it would never have worked out.Shoving the last forkful of spaghetti in her mouth, she realized Logan had come back and was watching her.“Uh...that was great.”She’d practically inhaled it.
“Would you like me to fix you a sandwich?”he inquired politely, a grin teasing the corners of his chiseled mouth.He picked up the plate and headed for the dishwasher with it.
“No, that was plenty,” Darcy quickly replied, “thank you.”She was halfway through with her glass of tea by the time he turned around, her belly finally thanking her with a satisfied gurgle.
He looked amused.“Are you sure?It sounds like you’re still hungry.”
She patted her stomach.“Nope, I’m good.That was delicious.”
“Thank you.”
She eyed him in surprise.“Did you make it?”
His eyebrow shot up.“Does that surprise you?”
“I’ve yet to meet the mysterious breed of men that cook,” she quipped.“They are as rare as hen’s teeth, I’ve been told.”
He laughed then.“I enjoy cooking.My mother thought I needed to learn the same as my sister.”
“Your mother is a rare gem.”
“Do you cook?”
“I’m a woman, aren’t I?”Her eyebrow slid up.
“I find myself constantly surprised at the number of women who don’t,” he mocked.
“Then it’s a good thing you can, it increases your value as a partner.”
A shadow seemed to flit through his dark eyes before he spoke.“Bring your tea with you, and we’ll get clothes from Holly so you can get a shower,” he ordered gruffly.
