Page 19 of Witchful Thinking

His kissed her lightly.Golden light sparked between them at the contact."Good.Now I should probably sneak back to my room before the student rumor mill goes into overdrive."

After he left, Diana finished dressing with unsteady hands.She could do this.She could focus despite memories of his hands, his mouth, their beautifully fused magic.

Absolutely.No problem whatsoever.

***

DIANA'S CONFIDENT RESOLUTIONlasted exactly four hours and twenty-three minutes.

The temporary infirmary had been busy all morning with defensive and offensive injuries, but that was par for the course in the summer training camps.Diana had just finished treating a freshman with a deflection burn when Alarick arrived to work on the far wall.He'd greeted her professionally, maintained appropriate distance, and focused entirely on his task.

It was infuriating how sexy he looked when concentrating on complex warding spells.

"Nurse Maelstrom?"Malta interrupted Diana's inappropriate thoughts, flanked by Polly and Irideane."We need help with...um...a medical situation."

Diana raised an eyebrow, noting their conspicuous lack of injuries."What kind of medical situation, Miss Kenobrie?"

"It's...private."Malta's eyes darted to where Alarick worked, making her true motive painfully obvious.

With a sigh, Diana led them to the examination area, closing the privacy curtain."What seems to be the problem?"

The girls exchanged glances before Malta blurted, "We were wondering if you could tell us more about Mr.Blackthorn?For our...health class project."

"Your health class project," Diana repeated flatly.

"About...healing ward integration," Polly added quickly."Since he's working on the infirmary."

"And how old is he?"Irideane asked with zero subtlety."Just for research."

Diana pinched the bridge of her nose."Ladies, Mr.Blackthorn is not part of any curriculum, and his age is entirely irrelevant to any legitimate school project."

"But he's, like, super young to be so good at warding magic, right?"Malta pressed."My sister says most ward specialists are practically ancient."

"Mr.Blackthorn is twenty-five, has extensive training, and is not a subject for teenage speculation," Diana said sharply, ignoring the twinge at acknowledging their age gap."Unless you have actual medical concerns, I suggest you return to class."

"Twenty-five," Irideane breathed, impressed."So he's totally available."

"He's a professional contractor working on a school project," Diana corrected, her voice too sharp."He is not available as it would be inappropriate, not to mention illegal to be involved with students."

Something in her tone made the girls exchange looks."Sorry, Nurse Maelstrom," Malta said, not looking sorry at all."We had no idea you were already, you know..."

"I'm not upset," Diana said automatically.

"Right."Malta nodded with exaggerated understanding."Got it.We'll respect your...territory."

“There is no...territory.”

After they left, Diana leaned against the examination table, embarrassed by her defensive reaction.She'd practically announced her interest with that response.

"Everything okay?"Alarick appeared at the curtain, looking concerned."Those girls seemed upset when they left."

"They'll survive the crushing disappointment of not getting details about your personal life," Diana replied dryly."Apparently you're the subject of their 'health class project.'"

His lips twitched."Let me guess—they wanted to know if I'm single and have no morals about corrupting young witches?"

"Something like that."Diana busied herself rearranging supplies."I informed them professional contractors aren't appropriate subjects for teenage infatuation."

"Ah."Alarick leaned against the doorframe, studying her with those too-perceptive eyes."And did you also tell them that I'm currently occupied with an inappropriate infatuation of my own?"

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