Page 57 of Deadly Avarice
“Hush your mouth.” I covered Boone’s hand with my palm. “Don’t give Captain Cicely any ideas. I don’t want to lose her.”
Boone went up on tiptoes to peck my lips. “Don’t worry. I don’t think she stays where she’s at because she needs the money.” Inhaling deeply, Boone’s attention fell on the takeout. “I’m starving. Let’s eat.”
“Can we eat in the living room?” I asked. It was too beautiful to leave.
Boone shrugged. “If you want. Then again, you haven’t seen what I did to the kitchen yet.” Boone’s mischievous grin was only overshadowed by his twinkling eyes.
“Is the whole house decorated?”
“Maybe,” Boone teased. “I called Momma, and when you get that woman involved, all bets are off.”
A chuckle rumbled up my chest, escaping my mouth and filling the room with my laughter. Ten minutes ago I hadn’t thought myself capable of laughing today. Boone had a way of flipping what I knew on its head.
“Lead on, oh master holiday decorator.” I picked up the takeout and followed Boone into the kitchen. My eyes widened and I gave an appreciative whistle. The decorations mimicked what was outside and in the living room. Just like the rest of the house, the kitchen smelled amazing. “Okay, we can eat in here and then head to the living room for the rest of the evening.” Cuddling on the couch never sounded so damn good.
“Anything you want.” Boone waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Careful. That’s a broad offer.”
“I’m not worried.” Boone added a wink to his suggestive words and the shitty day fell away, crashing to the floor in an inconsequential puddle. Those worries would be there tomorrow, all too ready to reattach themselves. But for now, their weight was gone, leaving me light where I was heavy and happy where I was hollow. That was the power of Erasmus Boone.
Chapter
Twenty
Erasmus
I lay in bed, stretching my body like a cat. Gaia, I felt well used but never abused. That was Franklin’s way. He left my body aching in all the right places, a gentle hum soothing those aches and making them blissful. Those aches wouldn’t last long, at least, not today. I had one more healing potion to take. Franklin had been very careful of my back and neck as we’d made love last night. Our careful calisthenics hadn’t injured me further.
Arching, I shifted the sheets around. The comforter and blanket were twisted and piled on top of me. Franklin always made sure I was well covered when he left in the morning. He knew how easily I got cold after his warmth left the bed. He always tucked me in after leaving my side. I vaguely remembered the kiss he’d planted on me before he walked out the door. I excelled at quickly falling back asleep.
Cuddled up and warm, I loathed the idea of leaving my sheltered space, but there were things to do. I wanted to start working on the list of names the Warlock Council had reluctantly sent. I also needed to contact Janet Meeker and attempt to set up a new time to return her granddaddy’s soul. I’d need to check with Franklin also as he was dead set on goingwith me this time. I wanted to argue, but I understood. If the situation had been reversed, I would have demanded the same.
Plus, on a selfish note, I wanted Franklin in the car with me. Not that I wanted to place him in danger, but I loved being with him and was hard-pressed to deny the opportunity.
As we’d lay in bed last night, Franklin had brought up an interesting possibility, or maybe idea. He’d asked if I wanted to invite Leander Dun over to help celebrate Solstice Day. Or, at the very least, if there was some traditional gift we could either take or send him. It was such a generous idea. One that I should have considered and hadn’t. It was also something I wasn’t surprised Franklin had thought of.
With so many options on the table, I lay there in my warm cocoon, reluctant to start on any of them. In some ways, I began with the most difficult. I called Leander. At least this way I could remain in bed just a little longer.
Leander answered with a hesitant “what do you want?” Those words were more cautious than angry.
“Good morning to you too,” I quipped, keeping my voice light. “Do you always answer the phone so graciously?”
Leander grunted. “I don’t know. Beyond deliveries, you’re the only one that’s called me.”
Leander’s words brought me up short and swallowed the flippant comment on my lips. Swallowing hard, I said, “Well then, I’ll just have to call more often so we can work on your phone etiquette.” I could threaten him with Momma. That woman would straighten Leander out lickety-split.
“As if I need that,” Leander huffed. “Besides, my greeting was fine and to the point. It was a question you’ve yet to answer.”
Swallowing my sigh, I tried to remember that Leander most likely hadn’t known a lot of kindness in his life. There were legitimate reasons he was so guarded and on edge. Keeping that in mind, I asked, “Do you have any Solstice plans?”
Silence was my answer, and I questioned, “Leander, are you still there?”
“Still here and confused as hell. Why would you be interested in that?”
I silently asked Gaia for patience. “Because if you don’t have any plans, Franklin and I wanted to know if you’d like to join us for dinner and celebration.” We didn’t have any direct, set plans. Momma and I typically celebrated together. We had a nice dinner on Solstice Day and Momma joined me in giving thanks to Gaia. A few days later we gathered again for Christmas and exchanged presents. Pops flew in for Solstice Day when he could and once, Momma and I had gone to California.
“Why would you want me there?” Leander asked, suspicion and disbelief warring for place of pride in those few words.
