“I am. Can we leave? Is that all right?” Her buzz was tinged with excitement to find out what the hell was in the bag.
“I have to be on base at 6 a.m., so that’s fine by me,” said Brayden.
Scarlett caught sight of James, who was engrossed in conversation. “Should we tell your brother we’re going?”
“Nah. He’s a big boy.”
Outside, away from the shelter of the tree house, the already cold night had grown colder. Scarlett shivered, goose bumps all over her skin as they climbed down to the gravel road.
She headed for the SUV. “Are we taking the car?”
“I’ll come get it in the morning. I know we’re five feet from home, but I had four drinks, so I’d rather not drive. Can you manage the walk? Or I could carry you.”
He was so responsible. Duh, they couldn’t drive.
She set off in the direction of the castle. “I can walk, no worries. As long as you stay between me and that forest full of ghouls.”
He grabbed her elbow, forcing her to stop. “Wait. Take this.” Brayden pulled off his gray hoodie and held it out to her. “I should’ve given this to you earlier.”
“That’s sweet of you.” As she took the sweatshirt, she fought the urge to bury her face in it. It was warm from his body heat, and once she had it on, she could smell him.
Fresh pine.
“So, Minnie and Keeley—what did you talk about?” asked Brayden as they began the walk back to the castle.
“Mostly my breakup with Alastair and some… issues I had with him.” She couldn’t look at him, even though she could feel him staring. Hopefully, he wouldn’t press her.
“What issues?” asked Brayden. “Something you’ve told me?”
“Not exactly.” She’d revealed the truth to strangers, but she couldn’t tellBrayden. Any attraction he might have for herwould wither and die if she did. She also didn’t want to lie to him. “They gave me some advice about issues I’ve had physically.”
He grabbed her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “Are you all right? Did you tell Dr. Bowen?”
“It’s not like that.” Her embarrassment bubbled over. His concern was touching, but the last thing she wanted to do was alert him to the fact she had a magic wand that was supposed to get her off.
“What’s in that bag?” He gestured to the cloth sack.
“None of your business.” She knocked their linked hands into him.
“Why won’t you tell me?” he whined.
She sighed, exasperated. “It’s a magic masturbation wand. Are you happy now?”
Chuckling, he dropped her hand and raised his own in supplication. “All right, all right. Keep your secret. I don’t have to know.”
Brayden walked her to her door. She would’ve been thinking about a good-night kiss if he hadn’t rejected her. Good thing she had a bag of reasons to spend the night alone.
“Good night.” Brayden leaned in and wrapped his arms around her. She closed her eyes, basking in the feel of him. It would be so hard to go back to looking at him through glass.
She forced herself to pull away. “Good night,” she said with a wave.
He blew a kiss at her as she closed her door.
Goddess above.They were a mess of crossed wires and mixed messages.
Alone in her room, Scarlett opened the bag and pulled out two boxes. Her brow furrowed as she stared at the larger one. Itwasn’t a magic wand; it was a… vibrator?
She started to giggle.I thought Minnie was giving me a literal magic wand, and it was actually a sex toy.How funny it would be if she could have figured this out herself all along.
