Page 86 of As the World Falls

“Fine. Just for a minute,” I tell him.

He gives me a gentle smile before resting his head back against the couch and closing his eyes. “I can’t remember the last time I slept in,” he mentions.

“That sounds horrible.”

“I’m starting to realize just how horrible my life has been or how long I haven’t done things you’ve reminded me of.” He looksdown at me again, his eyes searching mine. “What are you doing to me?”

I can’t help but grin. “Are you saying I’m the one corrupting you?”

He lifts his hand from behind my head and brushes some of my hair from my face as he stares down at me, and it feels like I’ve stopped breathing altogether. “You have bewitched, spellbound, and possessed me just like the witch you are.” He says it with a smile, making me laugh.

“I must be some powerful witch.”

He laughs, too, and the sound is delectable to my ears. “The most powerful,” he says as his hand continues to brush my hair. I close my eyes again, feeling strangely at ease in his arms. “What are your plans for today?” he asks.

“I have my first book club meeting at the library.”

“A book club?”

“Yes. It’s a historical romance book club I started. I got about fifteen sign-ups, so it’s a decent turnout.”

“I see.” His fingers tug on the strands of my hair at my scalp, and I fight the urge to purr like a kitten. “Should be interesting.”

I giggle. “Yes. Interesting.”

“I have some work I have to get back to today. Will you be alright?” he asks, his tone dropping to a more serious one that has me opening my eyes again and looking straight into his.

“I’ll be fine,” I tell him, but I don’t feel it as strongly this time. I didn’t realize how much his company had truly kept my panic at bay, and now that I knew he was leaving, I felt lost again. I should want him to go after what he did in that restaurant, but… I don’t. That fact starts to make my chest even more tight with anxiety. I think I really was losing my mind here. If he thought I was a witch, then he was a warlock.

“Are you sure?” he presses. “Because I can move things around if?—”

I finally lean up, hurrying to the opposite end of the couch. His eyes track my every move as I do, and I don’t miss how his hands ball into tight fists, like losing me was too much for him. It also felt like too much for me, which is exactly why I needed to move.

“James, when have you ever known me to be unable to care for myself?” I tell him, faking a competent attitude.

“Almost the entire time I’ve known you,” he answers quickly. “It’s perhaps why I’m a little hesitant to leave you because last time, you were practically kidnapped and then forced into a deal gone wrong with a criminal family.”

I wave my hand in the air. “Pish posh. I’ll be fine. I’ll be at the library today.” He smirked, shaking his head, and I couldn’t help but match his expression.

“At least let me drive you to work.”

I groan, rolling my eyes. “Jeez, James. You really know how to suffocate a girl.”

He licks his lips and stands from the couch, and the next thing I know, he’s leaning close, hovering over me so that I’m caged between him and the sofa. “If you keep rolling your eyes at me, Cecilia, I’ll have them rolling into the back of your head for a completely different reason, and my name will only be a scream coming from your peachy lips. If you think I’m suffocating now, you have no idea what’s coming.”

If I could melt into a puddle… I would. I’m pretty sure my panties have become one because who the hell says things like that, and why do I want to take him up on that offer? I had to physically restrain myself from rolling my eyes a hundred times over just so he’d make good on his threat. My resolve is one more dirty suggestion away from completely crumbling.

He grins obnoxiously as I struggle to find any oxygen to breathe and stands straight again, taking a step away from me. “Go get dressed for work. I’ll be waiting.”

An hour and a half later, James pulls out front of Stone Corridor and puts his car into park. He unbuckles his seat belt, and my hand flies to his arm, stopping him.

“I can take myself in.”

“I know you can, but I’d like to walk you in.”

“James, please. The people in my book club could be inside. I don’t want them to see me come in with you.”

He raises a skeptical eyebrow at me. “Are you embarrassed by me, little owl?”

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