Don't Hex and Drive (Stay a Spell #2) - Juliette Cross Page 0,97
maybe not the sweetest.”
By heaven, I wanted to grab her hand and lace our fingers, feel the warmth of her delicate hand tucked in mine, brush an intimate kiss along the back of her knuckles. But that was what a boyfriend would do. Not fuck buddies. Even if I understood we were well beyond a simple sexual relationship. But did she?
“Mind if I tag along?”
“You already are, Devraj.”
She hiked onto her shoulder that crazy, giant bag she carried everywhere with her. I heard something crinkle inside.
“And we’re here anyway,” she said, opening the door below a sign reading Angel Paws.
Hmm. An animal shelter.
I followed her as she waved to the lady at the reception. “Hey, Trudie! I have a friend with me.”
“No problem, Isadora. Tell him to take a few home with him.”
Isadora laughed and kept going through a closed door where I heard the pitter-pat and yipping of lots of dogs.
“Hello there, guys,” she cooed, stopping at the first empty pen. She pulled out a bag of treats, which was what was making that crinkly sound. “Oh, wow. Looks like Frannie found a new home.” A beagle yipped in the next pen over. She crouched and gave him a treat.
“Who’s Frannie?” I asked, still standing and watching her.
“A pretty yellow lab mix that was here last week. Didn’t think she’d be here long, though.”
The beagle licked her fingers tenderly. That was when I sensed the soft wave of magic wafting around Isadora. I watched as she went from one pen to the next, crooning soft words, her skin luminous from expending energy to the cute little beasties. She was giving them health with her magic. Her pretty face lit up as she gave two treats to one she called Oscar.
“And there’s my handsome boy,” she said, obviously loving the scruffy-looking terrier mix in the last pen. “How are you this week, Archie?”
The dog did a cute spin, wagging his stub of a tail, soaking in her affection. He was obviously completely in love with her. I didn’t blame him.
“So this is where you get your doggie fix, eh?” I asked, crouching down and sliding my fingers into the pen.
Archie sniffed my fingers then wagged his tail harder, letting me scratch him behind the ears. Friendly little guy.
“I can’t take them all home obviously, but I figure I can keep them in good health and spirits while they wait for their forever homes. I wish I could do more.”
“Like how? Seems you’re doing quite a great deal already.”
She shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. These guys spend too long in pens, waiting to be loved. It makes me sad.” Her voice took on a wistful lilt, which tugged at me to make it better.
“My,” I said in wonder, “what a great big heart you have, Isadora Savoie.”
Her shy gaze slid to mine, our faces close. Intimately so. She blushed and looked away. The fact that she was possibly the most selfless woman I’d ever met amplified my obsession. She hid from the world, doing her good deeds without the need for notice or praise. I wanted her more with each passing minute.
Archie licked my hand, pulling my attention to him. “This guy is awfully friendly.”
She smiled brighter, her face still flushed a pretty pink, then swept a hand over the scraggly reddish hair on his head. He looked like he had bushy eyebrows and a bad comb-over.
“Yeah. Archie is the sweetest. I told you so.”
I gave an exaggerated sigh. “Well, if you’re to two-time me with an overly attentive redhead like this guy, I suppose I’m okay with it.”
She made that soft throaty chuckle I loved, glancing at me while we both showered Archie in affection, our fingers brushing together. Then she was studying me a little too closely.
“You thought I really was going on another date, didn’t you?”
I tried to shrug nonchalantly, but my body tensed anyway. “Maybe.”
“Devraj, as long as we’re doing this thing we’re doing, I won’t see anyone else.”
“Good.” I wanted to pass out with relief.
“And I expect the same from you.”
My gaze sharpened, first on her electric eyes pooled with magic and then on her pink lips. I leaned forward, unable to control myself, needing to taste her sweet mouth like I needed my next breath. I brushed my lips against hers, then slowly coaxed them apart. After a slow, melting kiss, I pulled back and cupped the sides of her neck, my thumbs brushing along the line of her delicate jaw.