Cia gave her a secretive smile, yawned, and pulled her hand free. She walked for the door, saying, “Nite y’all. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
Her twin went inside. She was alone with Eli.
Liz cursed her fair skin as a blush surged up her neck to her face.
Eli
Lizzie looked wornout and more tired than he’d ever seen her, but she also looked happier. She tugged her hair back over her shoulder, her face a rosy hue in the faint gray light. Eli took the seat Cia had vacated. Silent, he looked out over the inn grounds and vineyard, thinking again about where they might situate an oversized garage. And a permanent helo landing site. Not looking at Liz. Giving her time to think about what she might want to say. He knew what he wanted. He wanted to take her to his room and keep her occupied for a week or two. But it was too soon for most of the things he was thinking about now, considering he had ignored her for a month. He probably owed her an apology for being an ass. A small smile fought its way to his mouth, and he let it. He said, “You said you wanted us to sleep together last night.”
“Yeeeah,” she said, drawing out the word, seeming to have gotten over Cia’s teasing comment. “I’m too tired to even think about that now. But I have to say, fighting a demon and a pack of werewolves was pretty cool as a makeup date for you walking out on me. You almost kept up with me, so I was impressed.”
“Almost?” he said, his tone disbelieving. Ignoring the “walking out on me” comment.
“Well, maybe better than almost. Your compass and wifi thingy came in useful. But you didn’t have much use for the guns until the werewolves showed up. And by then we had help. All the crystals and stones and amulets were the things that kept us alive. You know.Magic.Woo-woostuff.”
He let the full smile free. “Woo-woo stuff,” he repeated. “Okay. I’ll give you that. Your way kept us alive. Your magic was the better weapon.” Eli held out his hand. Waited while she stared at it. He was just about ready to pull it back when she placed hers into his and interlaced her fingers through his. She was still cold. She’d used a lot of life force in the battle. She’d kept them alive until help came. Eli had a feeling she would have kept fighting until she died from the effort.
He tightened his hand on hers. With every self-protective instinct screaming, he stood, lifted Lizzie onto his lap, and snuggled her in his arms. To help her get warm.Right. He was in trouble and he knew it.
He had thought that dating a witch with no fighting skills would be hard. Maybe he’d been wrong. Maybe it was… MaybeLizziewas worth the risk. “So, steak soon? In town? Nice place with silver and crystal?”
“Nah. I’m more of a campfire or outdoor grill kinda gal. One without demons and werewolves,” Liz said. She rocked her head back to see the sunrise better. He followed her gaze. The sky was every shade of pink and orange possible.
She said, “That was the worst date ever.”
“I thought it was terrific. I got to kill werewolves.”
She chuckled, her body moving against his. It was the best thing he’d felt all night. The sun peeked over the distant hills and slowly rose until it was a golden ball nestled in hazy pink clouds.
Softly he repeated, “Yeah. You do know how to show a Ranger a good time.”
