Page 24 of Pints & Potions

She loved how his accent became thicker when he was disturbed. It wasn’t quite as put on as when he flirted, but it wasn’t his standard speaking voice either.

Piper raised a hand, displaying three fingers in the air with her thumb tucked over her pinky. “I solemnly swear, I will not turn you into a toad—today.”

Throwing back his head, he let loose a hearty laugh.

Her toes curled, and nerves danced a jig in her belly.

Cian seemed to like her piss-and-vinegar attitude, and he wasn’t shy about expressing it.

“You’re a delight Piper Thorne.” He cocked his head slightly. “I’m assuming that’s your true last name.” His playful grin created havoc inside her.

“Yes. Kelly is my middle name, so it wasn’t a total lie.”

“Half-truths are still lies, darlin’, but I’ll not be holdin’ it against you, since you didn’t know me from ol’ drunken Seamus at the time.”

Unbidden, she felt a smile form. “That’s magnanimous of you. And Seamus didn’t look old to me. Drunken, yes. Old, no.” In truth, she didn’t know how old the ginger-haired pub patron was. He looked to be somewhere in his mid-thirties and possessed of an ageless quality. “He’s kind of cute.”

“You’re not allowed to ogle other men while in me pub.” Cian had gone back to what Piper considered his touristy accent.

“I’d have thought after our skirmish today, you wouldn’t want anything more to do with me.”

Passion flared to life in the depths of his glorious eyes, and any semblance of teasing fled. His gaze slowly swept her face, down her neck and body, then back again before locking with hers. “Our skirmish made our mating dance a little more interesting, don’t you think?”

Her breath caught in her throat, and she wanted nothing more than to agree. But Cian was dangerous, in more ways than one. It was doubtful that he was a one-woman kind of guy. He also played games of intrigue and, in the course of those games, he’d thrown a virtual stranger off a cliff without remorse. In the end, she’d wind up alone and potentially regretting their brief encounter if they became lovers.

“Let’s fix your nose.”

“What did I say wrong?” Cian asked gently.

She shrugged and gave him a rueful smile. “You didn’t. I’m just past the skirmishes and games stage of life.”

“Without them, life is a lot less fun.”

“No doubt for you that’s true, but I want a peaceful existence with a man who loves me.”

Her words caused him to physically and mentally distance himself. The fun-loving Cian she’d come to know over the last day immediately disappeared. In his place sat a polite stranger.

“I’m not that man, Piper. If you’re looking for a fun night or two, I’m more than happy to oblige. Hell, I’d be downright chuffed, but I can’t offer up permanence.”

“I suspected as much, and there’s no hard feelings. Flirting with you was fun while it lasted. But I’m not looking for a fling.” As she said it, she realized it was true. No matter how many shagging jokes she referenced, Piper desired permanence. She wanted a man who was in it for the long haul. Not a fly-by-night, love-‘em-and-leave-‘em pub owner up to his neck in intrigue and danger. “Let’s fix your nose.”

He leaned forward, and she placed her hands along either side of his face. Closing her eyes, she visualized how he looked when they’d met, the evening before. She pictured the bone and cartilage of his nose returning to normal and the bruising disappearing altogether. Whispering a healing incantation, she swept away his lingering discomfort.

Sitting back, she opened her eyes. Cian’s stare was too intense and made her want to take back her statement from a moment before. She fought the urge to relent and tell him she’d take whatever crumbs he offered.

Uncertain where she drew the strength to stand firm, she rose to her feet. “I’m almost positive there is a glamour spell in the Thorne grimoire that will make the scrape and broken nose still appear real to outsiders. The spell will continue for the length of time it would normally take for those things to heal and the bruises to fade.”

“But you don’t know?”

“I’ll call my cousin Spring and ask her. One sec.” Piper experienced profound relief when Cian stayed seated and turned his head to look out over the landscape. His presence dominated, and his steady regard had made her question her resolve. Crossing to the bed, she picked up her cellphone and dialed.

Spring answered on the first ring, and within minutes, Piper had the exact thing she needed. She wasted no time casting the spell and sending Cian on his way.

After he was out the door, she leaned back against paneled wood and released a heartfelt sigh. She wouldn’t let this bump in the road destroy her dream vacation.

9

Dinner would’ve been a quiet affair without the animated conversation of GiGi, Ryker, and Bridget to spice things up. They maintained an upbeat conversation without any acknowledgement of Piper’s continued silence.

---