Page 3 of Magic and Muffins

“How was Vivian able to touch me with this on?” I thought back to that moment. “Something under his veil had glowed red. Do you think he has a way to counter protective charms now?”

“I’m not sure. Shepard and I were wondering the same thing when we talked earlier. For Vivian to have a charm that overrides yours would mean a powerful fae made it. Shepard’s going to speak to the liaison about it. We’ll need Hugh to ask Effora.”

At his mention of the fae Queen, I withheld an eye roll. Getting any information from her would be nearly impossible. The only thing she cared about was being fed sexual lust.

Cross took a brush from a side drawer and carefully began untangling my hair.

“Don’t worry. We’ll find out information soon. Meanwhile, you can relax and recover. I believe I’ve acquired your necessities.” He nodded toward the makeup vanity and the toothbrush holder. “A personal shopper replaced most of your wardrobe, but let me know if you find something missing or want something else.”

“You bought clothes for me?”

“As tempting as it would be to watch you go about your day dressed in nothing, I thought you might not be receptive to that level of inhibition.”

I turned to hug him. “You didn’t have to buy me clothes. You could have asked Vena to drop off a bag of clothes from Shepard’s.”

“You’ve lost everything, Everly. Let me take care of you. I enjoy spoiling you.”

“Fine. I’ll allow moderate spoiling. But just until I figure out what I’m doing with my summer now that Blur’s closed.”

“Of course. Would you like to see your clothes?”

Curious, I continued past the shower to check the massive closet that was nearly the size of the guest rooms. It had built-in shelves and drawers and was filled with outfits that were exactly what I would have picked out for myself.

I almost asked him when he had time to hire the shopper since the vandalism had only happened a few days ago, but I already knew the answer. The man didn’t sleep and had enough money to pay people to do whatever he needed. Apparently, that meant a midnight personal shopper as well.

When I didn’t respond, he said, “If you’d rather move your clothes into one of the other bedrooms, you can. While I prefer you to stay in this room, I will leave it to you to decide. I’m just happy you’re here.”

“I’m fine with the location—at least for now. The clothes are nice too. Thank you.” I hugged him again and kissed his cheek. “I need a shower and food before Vena descends.”

He followed me back into the bathroom and started the fancy shower. It didn’t have the confusing user panel that Shepard’s had, but it did have multiple shower heads and instant hot water.

He left the bathroom, giving me privacy as I showered quickly. When I turned off the water, though, he was there with a thick, fluffy towel. I didn’t miss how his gaze swept over me or the dark veins that erupted around his eyes.

Feeling playful, I said, “I like your shower, but it would have been even better if you’d joined me.”

“I was tempted but didn’t think it wise before Vena’s arrival.”

“If you tell Vena her visit stopped you from having your way with me, she might leave fast. I wouldn’t mind a second shower.”

The veining around his eyes grew even darker along with the eyes themselves. He should have looked terrifying like that, but he didn’t. He looked incredibly handsome and hungry. For me. But not in the usual vampire way. Yes, he craved my blood, but he cravedmemore. Just me.

“Are you teasing me, Everly?” he asked, his voice low and smooth, a seductive purr.

“What will you do if I am?”

“Spend the day thinking of everything I want to do to you once we’re alone again.”

“Hmm. If that’s the case, I think I might be teasing you.”

His mouth tilted in the corner, his signature sexy smile as he toweled my top half dry. Before he could go lower, I stole the towel from him.

“Why don’t you get me something to wear while I finish up in here?”

He pretended to pout, zipped in and out of the closet, and left me alone to dry. When I stepped out of the bathroom and saw the lacy matching panty set he’d left out on the bed, I shook my head. The wrap skirt and tank top were cute, though.

I dressed quickly and toweled my hair one more time before leaving the bedroom. As I walked down the hall, the faint sound of hammering and sawing teased my ears.

When I reached the kitchen, I noticed the door to the first-floor stairs was open, as was the door to the rooftop, the origin of the noise.

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