“She likes me. I told you we had chemistry.”
“Yes, the entire hills heard your chemistry yesterday. Give a dog a warning, would you?”
“Don’t tag along on my dates then.” I laughed when Oban pretended to vomit. “All right, let’s go in. I’m starting my plan to win her over.”
I got out of the car and opened the back door for Oban, and he trotted next to me into the store. I had an idea in mind that I sincerely hoped Faelan would welcome. Or she’d think I was too much, kick me out on my sorry arse,and that would be the way of things. Either way, I had to try.
I’d never been like this with a woman before, not where I’d wanted to or had been willing to try. There were very few women that I’d been able to date of my own volition. Every other woman had been paraded in front of me, my father choosing them and rolling them out like we were on a dating show, and it had soured the idea of love for me.
But Faelan was different. I could feel it in my bones, even if I didn’t fully understand why.
Hauling my supplies up her steps, I knocked on her door, and hoped she was home. It was early still, only nine in the morning, and she’d told me that Sunday was her day off, if she wasn’t working an emergency. When the door cracked open an inch, and one suspicious eye peered out, I grinned.
“It’s the Loren Brae welcome committee.”
“Didn’t you welcome me enough yesterday?” Her cheeks pinkened at her words and my grin grew wider. She opened the door a bit more, and I almost did a happy dance when I saw she was wearing my shirt.
“I’m not done welcoming you.” I winked at her and gave her body a lazy perusal. “Nice shirt.”
“Ugh, I find you both infuriating and arousing. How is that possible?” Faelan mumbled, pushing her tangle of hair back from her face.
“I’m not sure, but I’d dearly love to explore the latter part of that statement if possible.”
“No. We’re not doing that again. Yesterday was an anomaly.”
“Was it? I think we should talk about it. Preferablyinside.” I squinted at the moody clouds that were just starting to release rain. “You wouldn’t want poor Oban to get wet again, like yesterday, would you?”
Faelan slanted a glance down to Oban who obediently sat and lifted one paw, the picture of a needy pup.
“Och, fine, come in.” Faelan shut the door briefly and I looked at it in confusion as I heard her mutter something behind the door. But then a moment later, she opened it wide and ushered us inside. Oban immediately trotted across the floor and stood at her couch, looking from her to the cushions.
“Yes, you can jump up.” Faelan sighed and piled her hair in a messy knot on top of her head. She wore my shirt, loose joggers, and fuzzy socks.
I wanted to unwrap her like a gift on Christmas morning.
“What is all this?” Faelan gestured at the bags in my arms.
“Well, first, and most importantly, breakfast.” I brandished the small bag in my right hand. “I’ve got croissants and egg and cheese sandwiches.”
“I’ll accept.” Faelan grabbed the bag and went to her kitchen counter, pulled out two mugs, and two plates. “Tea?”
“Please.” I bit back a smile. The first battle was won. I was inside her flat, I was feeding her, and soon I’d be on to the second stage of my attack. One which required we spend the entire day together. During that time, I hoped to break down her walls, get to know her better, and maybe that would help me understand why I was so drawn to her despite the many reasons I shouldn’t be.
“I’d be mad at you for showing up uninvited on my day off, but I’m starving and didn’t get a chance to go to the shops.”
“Ah, for once a grueling schedule works in my favor.” I smiled at her, hoping to chase that mulish expression from her face. What I wanted to do was to kiss it away, but since she seemed tetchy this morning, I figured it was best to keep my distance.
For now.
I also wanted to talk to her some more. I needed to see, for myself, if the thoughts and feelings I was having were real, or if it was just excitement over someone new and pretty in my life. If I told my family about her, they’d show up on my doorstep and try to run her out of town. In theory, I should take an immediate dislike to her.
And yet.
She’d healed my wee pal.
She’d taken the pain inside herself, healed Oban without a second thought, and had ushered me out the door without an explanation.
A person didn’t do that if they were evil. Or taking advantage. If she’d used her magick for nefarious reasons, as I’d been taught from my father that all healers did, she’d have charged me an arm and a leg for healing wee Oban. But fifty quid and I was out the door? Something wasn’t adding up here.
