Page 9 of Charmed and Dangerous

Her dazed look shifted, and she looked skeptical, as if she were about to say no. He placed a finger over her lips, holding off any protests.

“Be brave, little mouse. Trust me.”

She blinked and nodded, almost before she could think. He smiled and kissed her again, quickly. “Great. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He disappeared before she said anything else, tipping his head to the old woman hovering outside. He had his chance with Maeve. Now, he had to make sure not to blow it.

Chapter

Four

Maeve spent the rest of the day working through recipes for the antidote, testing them on herself, but none of them worked to dispel the fizzy feeling she had in her stomach every time she thought about Saul. Aunt Geillis occasionally wandered in and sat on the white wicker loveseat, cuddling with Hazel. She watched her with a knowing smile and then would walk out shaking her head, amused by Maeve’s attempts at avoiding what she clearly thought was inevitable.

Maeve finally gave up after dinner and fell into bed exhausted. She spent a restless night dreaming about a bear stalking her through the forest, yet she wasn't afraid. She was oddly excited, and she felt safe with the bear, which was weird. Who felt safe when a grizzly was chasing them?

When she came down to breakfast the next morning, her father was sitting at the table scribbling in a notebook, his cup of coffee and breakfast already cold. He glanced up at her absentmindedly, as if surprised to see her.

“Where are you off to today?”

She knew he didn't really care. He had not really cared in years, as long as she stayed out of his way. His research hadalways come first, and he made it clear that her main priority was to be quiet at all times. “I’m going out with a friend, father.”

He didn’t ask who it was or where they were going. She tried to hide the pang of hurt, but it still bothered her after all these years. She wanted him to ask who was the friend? Where were they going? She wanted him to be the father who protected his little girl against the man who wanted to date her. Instead, he barely knew who she was. She stifled a sigh and poured some juice.

At that moment, there was a bang at the front door, and her father scowled. “Who could that be at this hour? Don't they know that I have work to do? Tell them to go away.”

She wanted to point out that he was sitting at the table and not actually working, though in her father's mind he was always working and everything and everyone was a bother. “I’ll get the door. You don't have to be interrupted.”

He waved his hand, already refocusing on his notebook.

She headed to the front door and opened it just as Saul was lifting his hand again to knock. He looked sexy standing there a dark blue T-shirt that matched his eyes. The t-shirt stretched tightly across his broad chest and was tucked into dark blue jeans. Crap, she had overdressed for today, in her bright yellow sundress.

“I didn’t expect you so soon. I need to change,” she stammered.

He leaned against the door and let his heated gaze run over her body. “Why? I think you look good enough to eat, little mouse.”

“Too bad for you that I’m not on the menu,” she replied tartly.

He laughed, the sound echoing down the hallway. “I like when you’re feisty, mouse. Are you ready to go?”

“Maeve? Who is that?” Her father’s voice echoed down the hall, coming closer.

Oh hell no. She wasn’t ready for this shitshow. She needed him out the door before her father made an appearance, pronto dente. She grabbed her sweater hanging by the door and pushed Saul so she could squeeze by him and slammed the door shut.

“Was that your father?” Saul craned his neck to look before she closed the door.

She tugged his arm, but it was like moving a boulder. “Yes, but he’s busy. He hates to be interrupted.”

“Even for his daughter?” Saul sounded unconvinced, and Maeve laughed.

“Especially for his daughter. Now, where are we going?”

Maeve staredat the giant black pickup in dismay. There was no way she could climb her ass into that truck, even with a ladder, not without significant help. Saul chuckled next to her.

“That’s easily remedied. Up you go.”

He set his hands on her waist and effortlessly lifted her into the passenger seat. He pulled the seatbelt across her body and clicked it into place, brushing against her chest, sending thrills through her body. “Safety first, right?”

She swallowed and nodded, saying nothing else. He leaned over her, caging her with his larger frame. He settled his lips over hers, gently, as if testing to see how she would react. Maeve was stunned for a moment, then relaxed into the moment, her lips softening under his, opening when his tongue swept against hers. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach and she shuddered.

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