Page 109 of A Legacy of the Light

Tavish is moving around in the kitchen setting two mugs on the counter and I check the time.

Ugh, 7 a.m. is way too early on a hangover.

But at least I’m not late for Finneus in the library. I really need to speak with him about the symbols.

“I left your shirt in the bedroom,” I tell him, sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar. He slides a mug to me and I cup it in my hands before taking a sip.

“Thanks.”

“What do you remember from last night?” Tavish asks, leaning his forearms on the counter opposite me, momentarily distracting me with his near-nakedness.

“I remember dancing. Laughing a lot. I remember Eòghann and Reyne making out like they were in a porno and I remember you and me . . .” I trail off as my memory surges back.

Tavish’s firm lips on mine. Me gripping the back of his head and his hand on my ass while we kissed as if our lives depended on it. I remember hearing Reyne hollering and cheering at us. My cheeks heat with the memory and he smiles.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, ducking my head.

“For what?” he asks with a laugh.

“For assaulting your face. For running around here in my underwear, and for being pathetic enough to beg you to share my bed.”

“One, it’s not assault if the other person wants it. Two, I’ve already seen you in your underwear so that’s moot, and three, you’re not pathetic for feeling lonely and wanting company.”

My cheeks heat further and I keep my head dipped low.

“Let’s blame it on the gin and whiskey shots, shall we?” he suggests in a light tone, poking my arm.

“Please don’t say ‘shots’ to me right now. I might hurl, and I cannot take any more embarrassment,” I reply, gripping my stomach.

He chuckles. “Make sure you eat something. I did try and warn you about Seelie alcohol,” Tavish says with a firm look before draining his mug and placing it in the sink. “I need to get going.”

He rounds the breakfast bar to where I’m sat and lifts my chin with his fingers, his eyes full of warmth. “Thank you.”

I draw my brows together. “For what?”

“For making me feel like just a man for the first time in one hundred and sixty years.”

He drops a soft kiss to my lips, barely a whisper of a touch, and my heart leaps into my throat. Tavish strokes his thumb underneath my lower lip before letting me go and walking back into my bedroom. My stomach flips and it has nothing to do with the alcohol.

He changes quickly and is rolling the sleeves of his shirt up his forearms as he joins me in the living room.

“Here.” I hold out the book toward him as he approaches me.

“What’s this?” he asks, taking it from me.

“Your first book recommendation. I’ve just finished it and thought it might be a good introduction for you.” It’s the novel I first selected from the library about the Seelie warrior and his rival’s daughter. I finished it quickly once the story had pulled me in with witty banter and sizzling tension.

Tavish flicks through the pages with a smile, and then tucks the book under his arm. “Thank you.”

On his way out, he reminds me to eat something, and asks if I would like to go for another ride in a few days’ time. He hesitates at the door. When I smile at him and happily accept his invite, the answering grin on his face makes butterflies riot in my torso.

I make myself some toast, take the Craobh Beatha from its hiding spot, and slip it back on. After I’m finished, I make my way to the library.

◆◆◆

Finneus is pacing in front of his desk when I arrive just after eight.

“Hey, Finneus,” I greet him.