Page 22 of Hooked on a Witch
“What about us as in you and me?”
“What?” She stepped backward.
What? The exact one-word question detonated in Merck’s brain. She didn’t have a boyfriend. No, she’d said she wasn’t married. They hadn’t gotten into a boyfriend discussion. He’d assumed. And been wrong.
Although he had no right to feel territorial, he didn’t like her being attached to Eli. Or, going on wild nights in New York City.
“Sweetheart, I only followed your attractive ass down here to patch up things,” said Eli in an syrupy tone.
Shannon folded her arms. “Oh, my God. You’re something else. There’s you posturing about protecting me and me doing what I need to do. This is low even for you.” She met Merck’s gaze. “There’s nothing between me and Eli. I’ve known him since he was seven and still peeing in the bed.”
Eli glared, promising retribution for the peeing comment later.
She squared off against Eli again. “I know all your embarrassing little secrets. Don’t push me.”
Eli scowled. “You think I don’t know your secrets?”
She leaned forward and hugged Eli’s stiff body. “I love you and every one of you irritating bullies who try to dictate my life and security. Relax. I’m fine. We’re all going to be fine.” She pulled away and chewed on her lower lip. “Is the cavalry on its way down here?”
“Yes.” Eli’s lips thinned.
“I didn’t want them here.”
“Too late. Your dad went nuclear when he called to check in last night and you weren’t around. Then he couldn’t reach you on your cell phone. I told you not to turn it off.”
“You could’ve covered for me,” she said.
“I would’ve if you’d actually told me where you were going and what you were up to instead of poisoning me.”
“I didn’t poison you. If I had told you, you’d have been glued to my ass.”
“You’re goddamned right I would’ve been.”
Merck pushed the passenger door shut with a loud slam. “Well, it’s been great to catch up, Shannon. I’ve got to get going. Seems like you’ve got a good guy here to watch over you against...whatever. You should let him do his job.”
Merck unclamped his locked jaw as he strolled around the SUV. Her hugging Eli and using the L word while doing so didn’t sit well with him. This woman always pushed him to extremes. He had to get out of here before he did something he’d regret later or that she’d never forgive.
Where did this craziness over her come from? He didn’t thinkminewhen it came to women and then go caveman. Sure, he appreciated women and enjoyed them on occasion, but never with this level of possessiveness.
She met Merck on the driver’s side of the SUV before he shut his door. She touched his hand and whispered, “Thanks for last night. Be careful.”
Her eyes tempted him to test her lips again. How he wanted a brief touch to gauge the softness of those pink contours. He’d prove they had so much more between them than she’d ever experience with Eli.
As if she sensed the direction of his thoughts, her lips parted. It took every ounce of his self-control not to pounce. He could press her against the car and slide his hands beneath her shirt and up her ribs. She wouldn’t protest. Her body was already leaning toward him, drawn by the inexplicable magnetism that drove him wild whenever in her presence.
“We’re not going there. I mean it,” he choked out. Oh, he wanted to. So, so much. But he’d already broken his don’t-touch rule regarding her once today. She belonged with someone like Eli. Someone of her world who could keep her safe and away from the evil assholes who occupied his life. Someone who had longevity potential.
He was going to pass the “pure of heart” test with regard to Shannon, damn it. He’d fucked up so many times in his life that if this was his last chance at redemption to prove to the gods judging him he could be “good,” then he was staying away from her.
He said, “Earlier? I was just reassuring you. You seemed worried I couldn’t take care of myself.”
Her eyes widened, and he almost regretted his words when he saw the hurt she quickly hid. “Going where? Do you mean us as in you and me? If so, totally agree.”
He almost flungliarin her face, but he wasn’t fifteen.
“Hey, you done yet, Shannon?” Eli yelled. “Because I’ve got to get you on the phone with your father.”
“Yeah, we’re good,” she replied.
“Far from it,” Merck muttered to himself as he scooted into the driver’s seat. He still wanted her more than his next breath.
