Page 54 of Charmed By Destiny

“Don’t be scared, they’re just excited.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Yes, they were literally trying to lecture me on how it was my responsibility to go to bed with Douglas despite any protest I could make, which is why I told them the truth. It was my only way out. Or I’d still be in that kitchen with my parents and their disapproving stares. I couldn’t deal with it. All I could think of was the misery I know Douglas is coping with right now because of me. I took a chance last night. I know how brave he was to show up today. It sucked to say no.”

“Like how I nearly did because I didn’t understand what you were asking?”

“I want to make excuses for you, but you did nearly embarrass me for eternity.”

“In my defense, your invitation was implied, not directly stated.”

“Excuse me, but there were too many people in the room for me to ask you if you wanted to fuck, Lucas.”

Luke grinned at the ire in Richard’s voice. “After some reflection, don’t you think you could’ve done a better job?”

Richard’s outraged gasp was music to Luke’s ears. “Lucas Wynnter, you were attracted to me if last night was any indication, so why wasn’t I the one letting you down gently?”

“Are you really questioning if I’m attracted to you?”

“Okay, no.”

“Thank you. To answer your question, I lacked the courage you showed last night. Plus, you’re my boss and you can fire me.”

“That’s weird because I think of us as coworkers.”

Pulling to a stop in front of the correct house, Luke frowned. “But we’re not.”

“Inspirits don’t get fired, Lucas. If things don’t work out, they’re transferred or given the tools to help them excel outside of Marwood properties. I sign your timesheet because it’s one of my duties, not because I think of myself as your supervisor. In every aspect, necromancers in the Marwood family are equal to our inspirits.”

Affection for Richard had Luke grinning. “Thank you for explaining, that’s lovely. But you killed my fantasy of being invited into your office to perform sexual favors to avoid being fired after a poor performance evaluation.”

Richard cackled. “We’ll talk about your weird little fantasies later. Wave to me, I’m in the upstairs window. Go to the door and ring the bell, I’m not going downstairs until you’re inside or they’ll swarm me.”

“Do you have cookies to sweeten the deal?”

“Haven’t had time to bake any, will a kiss do?”

Luke climbed out of the car with his phone in his hand. “Let’s find out. Talk to you in a few minutes.”

“Bye.”

Richard disconnected, and Luke made the walk up to the mansion. The house was no less daunting on his second trip to the estate, but things were different now. Richard was his soulmate, and according to the necromancer, his family approved of their relationship. Lucas was about to find out if that was true.

With his heart in this throat, Luke hit the doorbell and hoped to hell Richard was right. Gabe pulled the door open. His often-stoic face was predictably expressionless.

“Thanks for coming over,” Gabe stated.

“Thanks for having me, and congratulations again on your wedding, it was beautiful.”

Gabe smiled, and the butterflies in Luke’s stomach fluttered with less intensity. “Appreciate it.”

“Move,” Richard ordered from behind his brother-in-law. To Luke’s surprise, Richard’s hair wasn’t perfectly coiffed; it lay flat on his forehead. It was charming and made him appear somehow younger but just as gorgeous. He stepped close to Luke, and the inspirit grinned as he scooped Richard into his arms. Their lips met in a soft kiss that Luke would’ve deepened if Gabe weren’t standing a few feet away.

“Hi,” Richard said when Luke lifted his head.

“Hi, you look beautiful.”

“Hush, no I don’t, but also, tell me more.”

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