“Maybe not, but I’ve been living under your roof for months. If you’d told me earlier about what I am, and what the risks are, I could have been learning how to be a witch. I might even have learnt a way to protect myself from those who wish me harm.”
I didn’t react, but that was precisely why I hadn’t told her. If she had learnt that kind of spell, she would have known weeks ago that I was the one about to harm her. Instead, I leant down and brushed her lips with mine, lacing my fingers through hers. It was a relief when she didn’t pull away. “I know. So let me apologise properly, and then we’ll go home and I’ll show you all the books I own on witchcraft.”
“Apologise how?” Her breathy question made me smile, though her eyes still held a glint of steel.
I kissed her gently, swallowing her sigh. “Let me worship you.”
She smiled and looked up at Shane, who had moved behind her. There was lust burning in his gaze, but it was clearly warring with the need to ask more questions. I waited. This would be their choice. They needed to feel in control of what happened between us. Especially now that they’d caught me in a lie.
Sor wrapped her arms around my neck, the softness of her breasts pushing against my chest as she rose on her tiptoes and placed a chaste kiss on my lips.
“I accept. On one condition.”
My brow rose. “Which is?”
“You help me find out everything you can about being a witch, and how to tap into any spells or magic I have.”
It would only help us all if she could. Ultimately, the only thing that could unlock her power was an emotional break so painful, it shattered her. But that knowledge was mine alone.
“I give you my word.”
“Fine. I will allow you to apologise. But not here. Let’s go home.”
My heart flipped. Home. She thought of my home as hers. Jesus, the way that made me happy told me how truly fucked I was. “Shane?” There was no disguising the deep, possessive note in my voice. I wanted him with us.
His wolf flashed in his gaze. “Oh, so I’m included in this apology, too?”
I grinned, my fangs showing. “Of course. Is that what you want? For me to worship you, too, fledgling?” I couldn’t help but ruffle his feathers. His annoyance was always so delicious.
“Too right, Count. You owe us both.”
Part of me wanted to disagree, just to ignite the irritation I found so hot. Except he was right. Besides, it was no hardship. I’d enjoy my apology just as much as they would. “Then let’s go. Unless you don’t want to wait?”
Sor smirked and stepped into Shane’s arms, kissing him deeply. She pulled back and shot me a sly look. “Oh, we’re not going to wait. You are. I’m going to ride Shane in the luxury of your helicopter. And you aren’t going to touch us or yourself until we’re home.”
Shane’s grin was wide as he chuckled. “Wow, Sor, you really want him to suffer, don’t you?”
She shrugged, her eyes twinkling with a wicked light as she shot me another smile. “Maybe a little.”
I released a heavy sigh, then grinned back. It was fucking wonderful to see her so confident. “Well played, sweet witch. But remember that once I’ve apologised, payback will be a bitch.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not the way an apology is supposed to work,” Shane said dryly.
My lips ticked into a smirk, as I indicated the door. “Mine do. Let’s go.” My grin only got wider as they exchanged a worried look. They should know by now that I spin every situation to my advantage. And apologies weren’t any different. Not that I’d apologised to anyone in recent memory—or ever. They didn’t need to know that though.
28
Sorcha
“I’msure there are some books on witchcraft somewhere in the library. There’s definitely more than history books. I’ll help you find them.”
My smile was genuine. Bal hadn’t apologised again with words, but I got the feeling that he never openly apologised to anyone. I doubted he felt regret for his actions all that often, if ever, so that one apology he’d given in his office had meant everything to me. I smiled to myself. Even more than the way he’d worshipped us both after we’d returned to Dundean.
“Thank you.” I slipped my hand into his. My heart pattered nervously, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, his grip tightened, and he gave me a soft smile. My breath caught. He was beautiful when he was dark and broody, but with a genuine smile and his pale eyes sparkling, he stole my ability to breathe.
“You’re welcome, little witch.”
“Not that I mind, but what’s with the nicknames?” I’d never had them before, at least not affectionate ones.
