Page 34 of Pints & Potions

“As if I could deny you anything.”

She snuggled into his chest and lifted her face, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously. “Because you love me.”

“Because I love you,” he agreed gruffly.

“Good. Now we need to find a way to get them lost in the woods together and keep them there until they work this shit out.”

Knox threw back his head and released a hearty laugh. “I stand corrected. Alastair has stiff competition in the matchmaking department.”

“I learned from the best.”

“Mmhmm.” He drew her tighter against him and lowered his mouth to hers. “You learned a lot from me, too, if I remember correctly.”

“Hmm, speaking of…” She ran a palm over the bulge in his jeans. “We have at least fifteen minutes. We can pop home and return…after.”

With a wolfish grin, Knox lifted her into his arms. “Hold on tight.”

“Always.”

As Piper dried off,she thought about Cian and how quick he was to shy away from any intimacy. She should probably tell him he didn’t need to go with them to find the root, but if she only had today left to spend in his beguiling company, she’d take it. While in the shower, she’d come to a decision, and she intended to tell him tonight that she was all-in for a one-night stand. If these were all the memories she’d have of the man she was falling for, then she’d be happy for them. Life was too short to throw away the golden opportunities.

And, if the Goddess decided to bless their joining, maybe Piper could have that baby she wanted without the sperm bank. Cian never need know he fathered a child. She ignored the twinge of guilt about excluding him. He was the one who’d said he didn’t want commitment or children, and Piper had more than enough money to ensure any offspring of hers would be well taken care of for life. Surrounded by the Thornes, her baby would always know love.

And she could never be underhanded that way.

A child deserved to know his or herentirefamily.

She exhaled a resigned breath as she pulled the shirt over her head. Decision made, she headed downstairs.

“Where did Spring and Knox scurry off to?” she asked GiGi as she sat down to breakfast.

“I didn’t realize she was here. But knowing Knox, he’s already whisked her back for a morning quickie.”

Piper choked in the process of sipping her coffee.

Of course, not a hint of remorse could be found in GiGi’s naughty grin.

“You live to shock, don’t you?” Piper threw a triangle of dry toast at her, but her cousin magically deflected it with a casual flick of her finger.

“Not at all. I merely call it like I see it. There’s no desire to shock.”

“Bullshit,” Ryker coughed into his hand, causing them all to laugh—too-blunt GiGi included.

“Cian tells me you’re off to Glencar.” Bridget placed a hand on Piper’s shoulder as she refilled her coffee cup. “I can’t thank you enough, Piper.”

“Whatever it takes to keep your business afloat, I’m happy to do. You’ve got a great thing going here.”

“You’re a beautiful soul, and we were blessed the day you walked through our door.”

A tight ball of sadness settled in Piper’s throat. Why did she feel more at home here than she did anywhere else? Why were her feelings for Bridget close to that of a sibling after two days? It was embarrassing how much she wanted to be part of the O’Malley family, and how much she was going to miss them when she was gone.

Cian chose that moment to join them, and he paused inside the entry, catching Piper’s eye. For a long moment, they were motionless, staring at each other. Locked like a tractor beam. The pull between them was surprisingly strong for such a short acquaintance.

Piper was the first to break the invisible hold. She met her cousin’s concerned eyes and had to fight the urge to flee. GiGi saw everything. Saw that Piper was more than halfway to falling without it being reciprocated.

Stupid Thorne curse!

Insta-love sucked, especially when the other person wasn’t on the same page or even in the same book. Hell, Cian wasn’t in the same library.

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