Page 66 of Malice

“Dammit, you two,” Elaina says, wiping tears from her cheeks.

Joss laughs, shaking her head and blowing out a breath. “We can start now. I’m only a few hours away.”

I nod. “We’ll start now.”

“I love you, Hud. I always have.”

“I love you too, Joss.”

“Whew.” She shakes her hands out. “Okay. I’ve got to get to work on this spell. I’ll get back to you.”

“Okay. As Aster says, I’ll be here.”

She nods, joining Elaina. They both look back at me before getting in the car and driving off. I close the door, turning around to find Aster behind me with Otto in his arms.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I am, yeah.” Leaning against the door, I smile. “We let our upbringing get in the way of having an adult relationship, but weirdly enough, this situation is bringing us together. She’s got abilities.”

“Obviously.” He hands a squirming Otto off to me. “My dog is crazy about you.”

I laugh as my face is covered in dog kisses. “I’m pretty crazy about him too.”

As my eyes meet Aster’s, a flood of warmth spreads through me. I know I can trust him with my safety, but could I trust him with my heart? Would he even want that with me? Am I a rare gem in his eyes too?

Aster tilts his head. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“Too many to make sense of right now.”

“That’s fair. Just know that you can talk to me.”

“I know.”

By the time day turns to night, I’m ready to collapse from the mental energy I expended today, but damn, it feels good. I got so much writing done and the story is flowing. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t been able to craft a cohesive paragraph in months.

Aster’s been working at my dining room table for the last few hours, furiously scribbling in a notebook I gave him earlier. Crash is across from him, and the two have been deep in conversation that isn’t audible to me.

Part of me is aware that I should find the things Aster does strange, but I’m more fascinated than put off. He intrigues me. He’s so attuned to my needs and feelings—more than any guy I’ve been in a relationship with—and that’s weird too.

My eyelids grow heavy, and for just a few minutes, I let the fantasy play in my head of Aster falling in love with me and keeping me forever like a treasure. Like a rare gem.

My body feels like it’s floating on air, and as I drag my eyes open, I see Aster smiling down at me.

“Hey, sleepyhead. I’m taking you to bed.”

“Bed? Did I fall asleep?”

“You did.”

“You’re… carrying me?”

He chuckles. “I am.”

With his foot, he pushes my bedroom door open and carries me over to the bed, laying me down gently when he reaches it. I stretch across the bedding, too tired to undress, but I don’t have to. Aster carefully removes my jeans and socks, then my shirt. I don’t even mind. I’d invite him to join me, to kiss me some more, but I’m exhausted.

“Don’t leave me.”

“I won’t.” He brushes the hair from my brow. “I’ll be right here.”

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