Magic Misled (Lizzie Grace #7) - Keri Arthur Page 0,106
any sense out of you for the rest of the evening.”
“After being so damn close to a dark witch, I’m thinking that’s a good thing.” A shudder ran through me. “He was nasty. Polite, but nasty.”
“I daresay that’s why they’re called dark witches,” she replied solemnly, but with a twinkle in her eyes.
I picked up a cushion and threw it at her. She caught it with a laugh. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”
The sound of footsteps had me looking around, though I was well aware it was Aiden even without seeing him.
“Perhaps we should just make you a ranger and be done with it.” He stopped inches away from me, filling my nostrils with his warm, smoky scent. My pulse rate leapt as desire flared between us, thick and strong. “You seem to be better at tracking down information than we are at the moment.”
“As interesting as that prospect sounds, we both know that would likely lead to less work being done than more.”
He laughed. “A truth I cannot deny.”
With that, he wrapped a hand around my waist and tugged me close for a kiss that was hot, hungry, and all-consuming.
Belle coughed. “Seriously, Ranger, hands off our girl until you’re home and alone. You are, after all, the one with all the rules when it comes to the kissy stuff during working hours.”
His laugh vibrated against my lips. “As Monty would say, sorry not sorry.”
“That depends entirely on what exactly I’m talking about,” Monty said as he bounded up the steps.
“He was referring to kissing during working hours,” I said helpfully. My pulse rate remained decidedly high, and wasn’t at all helped by the continuing press of Aiden’s warm hard body against mine.
“Ah, well,” Monty said. “I happen to believe such a rule is nothing short of utter foolishness.”
He strode past us and headed for Belle. Her eyes widened, and she put up her hands as if to fend him off. But it was only a half-hearted effort, and we all knew it. He rather grandly swept her into his arms, kissed her passionately, and then stepped back with a grin. “Long may the ‘sneaky kiss while working’ reign.”
Belle didn’t comment, and her thoughts were … interesting on so many levels. She immediately cast me a warning look; I grinned, but resisted the urge to tease.
“Do either of you want a coffee?” I said.
Aiden shook his head, but Monty nodded. “And cake, if there’s any up here.”
“Double that for me,” Ashworth said, appearing on the landing. “It’s been a long day with no lunch.”
“A point I forgot,” I said. “Maybe I should grab something before I consume any more alcohol. Or you, Ranger, will be forced to drive me home.”
Amusement twitched his lips. “A hardship I think I can endure.”
He brushed his knuckles lightly down my cheek and across my lips, his expression briefly intent, as if considering kissing me again. Sadly, he didn’t. Instead, he moved across to the sliding door and dragged in a couple of our outdoor chairs while I made the coffee, then cut the cake we kept up here for emergency indulgences. This week, it was a salted caramel chocolate cake.
Monty, Belle, and Ava had claimed the sofa, leaving the rest of us with the plastic chairs. As I handed out the drinks and cake, Ashworth quickly updated everyone on what we’d discovered.
“And we can trust the word of this dark witch?” Monty asked.
Ashworth’s gaze flicked to him. “Aye, because we swore a pact on his demons. If there’s bad faith on either side, there will be consequences.”
“Ah, good.” Monty scooped up a large portion of the cake and munched on it thoughtfully. “Have we any idea who Honor’s father might be?”
Aiden shook his head. “The DNA results haven’t come in as yet, though we have asked for them to be expedited.”
“Have you talked to John about Leesa?” I asked.
Aiden nodded. “He denies any involvement in what might have happened to her.”
“So he denied being involved in the bullying?” Monty asked.
“Yes.” Aiden’s mouth twisted. “It was pretty obvious he was lying though.”
“Then maybe,” Monty said, “Belle needs to have a good ramble through his memories.”
“At this point, we have little other option.” Aiden glanced at Ashworth. “Did your dark sorcerer have any suggestion as to the best way to capture Honor?”
“Yes,” Ashworth said heavily. “But it’s not an option you’re going to like.”