Page 21 of The Warlock's Kiss

“I’ll show the two of you up to a bedroom,” Merrick found himself saying after a few moments.

Adalynn’s eyes widened. “A room?”

“You mean, we get to sleep in an actualbed?” Danny asked.

Merrick flattened his hands atop the table and pushed himself to his feet. “Yes. A room. With a bed. That is implied by the termbedroom, is it not?”

Adalynn’s confusion didn’t ease. “But I thought—”

“I am attempting to be a good host,” Merrick said. “For tonight, you are my guests, and the recipients of my good will.” He stepped to the side of the table and extended a hand, palm up, for Adalynn to take. His skin hummed in anticipation of her touch. “Will you accept, or do I have to be acondescending prickbefore you take my offer into consideration?”

She blushed again, looking contrite, but lifted her hand and placed it in his. “Well, you kind of were being one.”

A thrill arced up his arm, raising gooseflesh over his skin. He barely suppressed a shudder. The sensation continued down to a place low in his belly, where it sparked a flame. “Were?”

She smiled at him, one side of her mouth rising a little higher than the other. Her dark eyes, even in the dim light, were warm and filled with good humor. “I think your social skills are improving already.”

“I suppose I’d better ensure I kick you out promptly at dawn, then,” he replied, feeling his own lips curl into a small smile, “before your behavior influences me any further.”

“Are youflirtingwith my sister?” Danny asked from beside Merrick.

Adalynn whipped her head toward her brother and quickly pulled her hand out of Merrick’s. “Danny!”

Merrick curled his fingers into a loose fist—as though that could assuage his sudden sense of emptiness—and dropped his hand to his side. “Daniel, are you familiar with the sayingchildren should be seen, not heard?”

“Nope. Are you familiar with the sayingdude, don’t be a dick?”

Adalynn pressed her lips into a tight line and covered her face with her hand. “Danny…”

“What? Isn’t dick and prick the same thing? You called him a prick before!”

“So, young master Daniel will be sleeping in the front yard tonight?” Merrick asked.

“Oh, come on! Why is it okay forherto say that stuff but not me?” Danny demanded. “Itisbecause you’re flirting, isn’t it?”

Struggling to suppress his irritation, Merrick cleared his throat. He didn’t have to answer to anyone, especially an adolescent human—though it didn’t help that, were he to be honest with himself, he had to admit the boy was correct. “Shall I show you to a room?”

“Please,” Adalynn replied, “before he says something else andImake him sleep outside.”

Chapter Four

Adalynn lay in bed staring at the dark ceiling, wide awake despite her fatigue. Sleep tugged at her consciousness, but there was a strange energy flowing through her that kept her from closing her eyes and succumbing to her weariness.

It was frustrating. She had a roof over her head, good food in her stomach, and she felt genuinely safe; not once since the Sundering had she had all three of those things simultaneously. And yet she couldn’t rest.

Danny snored softly beside her. He’d conked out as soon as his head hit the pillow. She could admit she was jealous of that, but she was glad to know he was safe and resting soundly. She was glad Merrick was allowing them to stay, even if it was only for one night.

Merrick.

She couldn’t stop thinking about the man, couldn’t stop thinking about how it’d felt when they’d touched. Dealing with him had been like riding a roller coaster that was so rusted and worn it could collapse at any moment; she wasn’t sure how to feel about him. The first impression he’d made—while justified—certainly hadn’t helped anything. He was a mystery. One moment he’d wanted them gone, and the next, he’d wanted them to stay. He’d thrown a fit about them eating his food only to offer them fresh produce a few minutes later. She had a feeling he would’ve given themmoreif they’d asked.

But even if her emotions concerning him were jumbled and confused, she couldn’t deny that looking at him and touching him had roused something powerful in her.

Desire.

Adalynn lifted her hand off the bed and looked at her palm. They’d exchanged such a simple touch, yet it had evoked a sensation so thrilling that it still lingered on her skin. And her denial didn’t change the fact—hehadbeen flirting with her. There’d been heat in his eyes as he looked upon her, a teasing twist to his lips.

Maybe he’s not as bad as he makes himself out to be.

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