Page 9 of Pints & Potions

“Oh, Piper, you really should mind that tongue of yours or you’ll be in loads of trouble all too soon.”

Heat crept up her face when she realized she’d basically called him the Old English version of a stallion. For a moment, she was awash with mortification, but soon enough a reckless energy seized her. Leaning in, she placed her mouth next to his ear. Her lips brushed the shell, whisper soft. “I wouldn’t mind if I were to get into trouble withyou, Cian.”

He halted mid pack-mule duty and twisted his neck to look at her. His smile started slow as he realized she was serious, then it blossomed wide. The sight sent butterflies fluttering around in her belly and electricity shooting through her veins. She was seriously in danger of falling for this guy, but maybe it wasn’t a bad thing. Perhaps Liz had been correct that Piper needed a spot of fun in her life.

“I’ll give you all the trouble you can handle and then some, darlin’,” he assured her.

His gaze dropped to her lips, and she leaned forward to meet his seeking mouth. The kiss was a quick hard exclamation point on his promise.

As Cian traipsedthe overgrown lane with Piper clinging to his back, he silently questioned how a stranger’s shy smile could come to be the thing he craved above all else. And in so short a time! They’d known each other less than twenty-four hours, and yet, the familiarity wrapped around them and made it seem as if they’d known each other forever. Their playful banter made his heart happy, and when she laughed, his spirit felt lighter than it had in all his thirty-five years.

Finally, they rounded the bend, and Cian set Piper on her feet.And none too soon.If he had to experience the exquisite torture of her pert breasts against his back any longer, he would lose his mind and tumble her into the high grass, or fall to his knees and beg for her affection—this time for real. “Mind the stone there, love. It’s crumbling down and not altogether safe.”

They’d not been exploring the estate ten minutes when Cian felt the presence of another. Although his powers were practically nil, he still had small witchy things happen now and again. The sixth sense regarding a threat was one of those. He could also feel intent, and the newcomer had none. Not that he’d let down his guard completely, but he did exhale the building tension.

He caught up with Piper just as she rounded a collapsed half-wall in what Cian knew to be the old pantry. A witty comment was geared to tumble from his lips and he was ready to charm her when he felt another unknown. This time, malicious energy was heavy in the air around them.

The desire to swear up a storm was shoved down deep, and he caught Piper around the waist with one arm. Her surprised gasp was adorable as feck, and he wanted nothing more than to plant his mouth on hers. It wasn’t the time.

With one hand, he cupped her nape and drew her gently to him, as sweet as a lover. The other hand was already reaching for the knife he kept concealed at his back. When his lips were level with her ear, he whispered. “Don’t give anything away,cailín, but we have company. Act as if you’re about to make my every fantasy come true.”

As he directed, Piper nuzzled his neck, and Cian almost forgot he was supposed to be on high alert. The sensual brush of her plump lips against the hollow of his throat shot straight to his pleasure stick—he refused to call his member a giggle stick, the term his sister was so fond of when mocking her previous hook-ups. When this was all said and done and they were safe once more, he would instruct Piper so as not to distract a poor sod when he was trying to protect her.

“What’s going on?” she whispered just before her teeth nipped his ear lobe.

“Jaysus, woman! If you don’t stop making my fantasies come true, we’ll have a sturdy hat rack on our hands. I promise you, that’s no good in a fight.”

She sniggered, but removed her lips from his person.

Cian wanted to weep at the loss. “There are two others here, and I find it highly coincidental. One of which is set to cause trouble.”

“Cian? Do you know what I am?”

He drew back enough to look down into her wide, troubled eyes. “Yes.”

“Hold tight.” She mumbled a quick incantation and swirled her hand above their heads, stepping back when she was done.

“What did you just do?”

“Granny Thor—uh, a fool-proof cloaking spell.” She played off her blunder with a weak smile. “Those come in handy, don’t you think?” Her tone was a little too bright.

Before he could question her slip, she closed her eyes and tilted her head. A deep furrow marred her forehead. “There, in the next room to the right of us. That’s our threat.”

“You’re not trying to keep us from being heard,” he murmured softy. “Am I to assume this handy wee spell of yours mutes noise?”

“You assume correctly. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“There’s another person here. I can sense it.”

“Good or bad?”

“No intention to harm, which makes me wonder if the person in the next room is after them, and not me—er, us.” He’d almost given himself away, and cursed how easy it was to be with her. Things tended to flow out of his mouth he’d as soon keep hidden.

She frowned up at him, but stayed quiet and thoughtful. Her gaze darted around as if she could see through the dilapidated walls around them.

“We can’t remain here, Piper. We were easy enough to spot not a moment ago.”

“Right, come on.” She took his hand and tugged him through the corridors of the ruins toward the main exit, pausing when they saw a flash of blond hair. “Stay here, Cian. The cloaking spell will remain in place.”

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