Page 81 of Captivating Magic

“What did I say wrong?” Nerves ate at her belly. Did he not want her in that capacity?

“I’d forgotten for a minute,” he said.

“Is it a problem? The lifetime thing?”

Please say no. Please say no.

His smile was slow to form, but when it did, it consumed his entire face. His eyes sparked with joy, and his grin was engaging, making her want to crawl into his skin and live there forever.

“Like I said at the accident scene, it’s no problem at all, Sweet Ebba.” He leaned in and stole the apple with a chuckle. “I’m going to enjoy having you around for life. I can’t say the same for you.” The laughter died from his eyes. “You’re going to get sick of me pretty quickly, though.”

“You mentioned that. But why would you believe it?”

He shrugged. Listening to his words back in her head, she realized how hollow they’d sounded.

“Lo. Look at me.”

When he did, his underlying worry was present. Shoving aside the tray, she straddled him and hugged his face between her palms.

“I love you, Laszlo Thorne. I have forever and a day. Those who hang around the outskirts see things.Isaw things. Yes, you can be moody and absent-minded, but I don’t care.” She rubbed her nose against his. “Because now I understand why. The ghost thing distracts you, I’m sure. But you care about your family, more than anyone I’ve ever known. They only have to ask, and you’re doing for them. Maybetoomuch.”

His brows met, and he looked troubled. “I’ll always go when they need me, Ebba. I?—”

“And I want you to. I’m not Charlotte, Lo. Whenever you want me to, I’ll be right beside you.”

His uncertainty fell away. “I absolutely do, ineverysituation.”

“Good.” She gave him a hard peck. “Now stop stealing my food. I’m starving. Shifting burns a shit ton of calories.”

“Does it?”

“Could be all the running and the muscle-building thing. I’m not used to exercise. Give me a good book and a cupcake any day.”

He laughed and drew her down on top of him. “I’ll conjure you different flavored cupcakes every day.”

“See?” She poked his chest. “That right there is why I love you. Who couldn’t love a man who conjures cupcakes?”

“Clearly the way to your heart is your stomach,” he teased.

“It has been recently.”

“Areyou okay with me coming back to your place?” Lo asked.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Ebba appeared disconcerted.

“I thought you might need rest. After.”

She snorted a laugh. “After the sex or the three days of wolfing out?”

“Both.”

Stretching up on tiptoe, she kissed him. “Thank you for your consideration, but I’m fine. I do need sleep, but I’m happy to have you lying with me.”

“Good.”

As she inserted the key into the lock, a form stepped from the shadows. Ebba’s reaction was immediate. The snarl fromher throat was pure Kyrella, enough that it raised the hair on Laszlo’s neck, and she whirled so quickly, he barely registered the movement.

The newcomer was facing a massive black wolf with snapping jaws.

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