“They work,” I said quickly, before realizing the implication.
“Oh really?” She waggled her eyebrows but,thank Goddess, didn’t ask anything more. “Then see? It’ll be perfect.”
“You sure?” I cocked my head, searching for any hidden sign that she might not really want to do this. “I’ll make it up to you.”
She wrapped an arm around me, Aspen balancing on her opposite hip. “You can make it up to me by treating me to a Seattle family date once you get your business up and running. I need a weekend away in the city with you and our little guy.”
“It’s a deal.” I gave her a squeeze, resting my head on her shoulder.
She went to the counter, munching more food before taking out the pitcher of sparkling raspberry lemonade from the fridge and pouring it into a set of wine glasses. She held one up in the air, and I clutched around mine, clinking it with hers and taking a refreshing sip. It felt so gloriously normal, the three of us together. Almost like the last month hadn’t happened.
Maybe one day I’d ask her more about what she’d been through. But at least she was talking, and I’d keep showing her that I was here whenever she was ready.
A smirk spanned her lips, and she set her drink down. “Now, tell me more about these new designs you’re working on.”
Chapter27
Oakley
The possessed cups suctioned my nipples, elongating them into odd, unappealing shapes, making me frown. I was short on time and needed a quick way to exorcise some milk for Hazel to watch Aspen. I’d been stockpiling since she’d offered to stay with him, and while there was plenty, I was also nervous about my own discomfort tonight.
Just one final round with the demonic contraption and I would be ready to go.
Well, as ready as I could be.
The coppery full moon hung high above, glowing like a beacon. But instead of feeling the heavy weight of its arrival, it reminded me that I’d have my magic back soon.
We’d skipped the moonluck at the Wellses’ house, opting for a quiet night at home. Neither of us wanted to deal with the crowd, the inevitable stares and questions. Hazel was still uneasy with Acacia’s case unsolved. From the few things she’d opened up to me about, the strange woman had taken her and locked her away, muttering things that didn’t make sense and jotting down lots of notes, probably the ones the guys had sent back for evidence.
She had also heard someone else there, but she didn’t know when, since there had been no way for her to keep track of time where she was being held. According to the autopsy report, Acacia had been dead for almost forty-eight hours before Lynx and Saros had found her.
I was quickly learning that investigations took time. A lot of it. Especially when things were being sent out to a headquarters lab to avoid any tampering. Apparently there wasn’t much trust in the police department here, which didn’t shock me in the least. No wonder Lynx hadn’t wanted them handling Hazel’s case.
They had gone to the moonluck tonight, both to keep up appearances within the neighborhood and to scope it out for potential suspects while they continued combing through the evidence for their case. The pair would probably be heading to the pines afterward, along with most of the coven.
Would they be together? Where would they go? In the patch of trees behind their house or deeper into the woods?
I clenched my thighs together, Desire fidgeting through me, feeling the full moon’s effects and eager for magical replenishment. The small amount I’d toyed with this month was already nearly depleted.
While there were aspects of having my gift that made me nervous, I knew I could figure it out. And I couldn’t lie, I hadn’t minded borrowing Lynx’s power for the short stint I’d been bestowed his blessing. Especially when I experienced deep in the marrow of my bones how he felt when he looked at me.
Touched me.
Tasted me.
I could only imagine how intense it would be when he wasinsideof me.
My magical tank needed filling…along with other things.
Goddess only knew when that would be. I’d been too embarrassed to ask Lynx to join me tonight. I mean, how do you even lead in to invite someone out to the pines with you? Especially when that person needed to keep up appearances of being married to someone else…who also might want to join you?
Or not.
I still wasn’t fully sure on Saros, but my mind and Desire had its own ideas when it came to imaginative ways to spend a full moon with the two handsome witches.
There was a spot right at the edge of the forest where I’d be within the Moon Goddess’s glowing embrace but also not too far from home. I glanced over at it before heading into the living room. Capping the two freshly pumped bottles of milk, I stuck them on the countertop. “Start with these for his next feeding since they are fresh and room temp and then move to the stuff in the freezer. There’s also some formula in the pantry that can be brewed up if he somehow needs more.”
That would be nearly impossible since I’d pumped enough milk to feed him for at least three nights, but it was one thing I could do to feel less nervous about leaving him to go recharge my magic.
