Page 17 of Bitten By Desire

“I know. But you really don’t understand. You cannot until you’ve experienced it.” He grasped my hands between his, pleading.

“Then let me experience it. Julian, I don’t want to have to get to know you all over again in the next life. I want this one to last.”

“I will not leave your side. And I will find you again. I have before.” Julian paced, running his long fingers through his curls, which fell back into chaotic perfection the second he finished.

“And won’t that be lovely?” I prompted, hand on hip. “An old, senile psychic and her handsome suitor?”

“That’s what worries you?” he snapped, eyes flashing scarlet for a moment as he faced me again. “I don’t care what you look like or what the world thinks.”

I breathed deep, counting to three, holding, and releasing before continuing.

“That isn’t my main concern. I’m tired of being a psychic, Julian. I’m tired of the pressure and the danger that brings into my life.” I pressed my eyes closed as the tears slid down my cheeks.

The next thing I knew, I was in his arms, curled against his chest and inhaling his bergamot scent. He buried his nose in my hair and kissed me. “Running away from your problems is not the answer. I found that out the hard way, Charlotte.”

I said nothing as he carried me to the car and drove us back to Lorraine’s estate.

By the time he pulled into the circular drive, I’d recovered and checked to make sure my makeup hadn’t turned me into a raccoon. I’d even managed to plaster on a smile as we entered the house.

A shrill giggle greeted us, coming from the room the fairy had died in the day before. We exchanged a look and headed for the sound.

Lorraine was on the floor, red-faced and laughing like a hyena as Binx sat at the piano bench, back to the instrument.

“Hello you two,” Binx called with a wave.

Chapter 6

No One Expects an Incubus in the Basement

“Um,” I gestured toward the woman on the ground, unable to find words.

“I only gave her one mimosa. I had no idea she was this much of a lightweight.” Binx frowned down at Lorraine as she attempted to reign in her laughter only to burst out a snort and throw a hand over her mouth and nose.

Julian wrinkled his nose in distaste. “Let’s get her up to bed.”

Binx stood and reached out for her, but Lorraine tugged him down on the ground with her so that he landed on top of her.

“That’s much better,” she said, the giggles coming to a stop.

“Let’s get you sober first,” Julian suggested, lifting her from behind and under the arms so he could slide her out from beneath Binx.

Julian turned her to face him, still supporting her, and she snaked her arms around his neck, tossing her hair back over her shoulder. “If you insist on taking me to bed as well, I don’t mind.”

A fire started in my chest and rose up the back of my neck as I clenched my fists. He doesn’t like her, I repeated to myself even as he tilted her chin up so she’d look in his eyes.

“You are going to sleep until the alcohol has left your system.” Julian practically purred the words, then scooped her into his arms like Rhett Butler as she fell unconscious.

Too bad she didn’t snore.

I folded my arms across my chest as I trailed behind him up the stairs where he laid her in bed and pulled a blanket over her. Binx appeared at my shoulder, but his sex appeal only made my confused feelings of jealousy and frustration stronger. Especially when he smelled like Julian.

“She’s taking her grieving seriously,” I snarked.

“It was likely Binx combined with the alcohol,” Julian said, pulling me to his side.

“I’ve never had anyone react like that before from one drink.” Binx held up his palms. “It’s like she never had any before.”

“Maybe she didn’t,” I said, though I doubted someone who attended events such as the memorial she’d planned had never had a glass of wine. Then again, maybe alcoholism ran in her family, and she’d abstained on purpose.

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