Page 105 of Moonlit Nights & Northern Lights
“I can see why.” She studied my face carefully. “Are you going to be okay? Because I saw how Callum was looking at you in there, and I don’t like leaving you here.”
“I’ll be fine. Maxwell’s here.”
“Speaking of Maxwell…” She lowered her voice. “So, tell me quickly. What’s going on?”
“The taxi driver looks pretty ready to leave.”
“So don’t keep him waiting.”
I sighed, glancing back at where Callum and Tariq were watching us like hawks. “It was just one time. Last night. Just a casual hookup. Burning off pent-up anger towards each other. Nothing more to it.”
Priya’s expression softened with concern. “Don’t give me that rubbish. I saw the way you were running over to him earlier. Your wolf was practically licking his face. What if this is more than just sex?”
I scoffed, though my pulse skyrocketed. “I’m not being his baby -bi experiment. We’re colleagues. Professionals. And stuff.” I swallowed hard. The truth was, I wasn’t sure my heart would take it—seeing him at meetings, working with him, if we actually dated and it went south. Which it inevitably would. “I’d usually happily be any hot man’s guinea pig. But not with him. Not after everything.”
There was a long pause as Priya studied my face. “Rory.”
“What?”
“You’re taking the safe option here. Closing yourself off to new possibilities. Don’t overthink this. Trust your instincts.”
I whacked her on the head. “Sorry that I’m trying to be a mature, sensible adult for once.”
“If you were a mature, sensible adult, you wouldn’t be planning on fucking his brains out the moment you get back to that cottage.”
“Get in the taxi,” I told her.
“This is great, though,” she continued cheerily. “Everyone now owes me twenty each. Even Flynn didn’t believe me. The fool.”
“Get in that taxi.”
She laughed and finally got in, waving at me sadly as the taxi pulled away.
I raced back towards Maxwell, who stood waiting for me. Callum and Tariq lingered nearby, staring over—clearly waiting for me to join them to see my dear mother.
My stomach twisted into knots. I’d rather face a pack of rabid wolves than have another conversation with her.
Maxwell stepped in front of me.
“I’ll see you back at the cottage, I guess,” I said, trying to sound casual despite the anxiety crawling up my throat.
“Not a chance. I’m coming with you.” He folded his arms across his chest, stance wide and immovable. “The last time you were out of my sight, you came back bleeding. You’re not leaving my side ever again.”
Oh.Why did that sentence cause my stomach to explode into a thousand fluttering butterflies?
“I mean, until we get back to London,” he added, spoiling the moment with his signature scowl. “Then you’re Seb’s problem.”
“Gee, you really know how to make a guy feel special,” I said. “But seriously, I’ll be fine.”
Maxwell shook his head. “I’m not budging on this. Besides, it fits with our cover story.” He reached out to grab my arm, his fingers warm against my bare skin. “Your fierce, overly protective boyfriend isn’t going to let you go alone,” he said, while squeezing my arm, his thumb gliding over my skin.
I almost told him he was giving me very mixed signals, but it probably wasn’t the time for that conversation.
Tariq and Callum marched us to the house. Maxwell surprised me by sliding his hand down my arm, his fingers intertwining withmine. The simple gesture sent a rush of pleasant tingles through me, and the knot of terror at facing my mum loosened slightly.
As we climbed the steps, Tariq said, “Theodore, you can wait in the lobby. Edina wishes to speak with her son alone.”
Maxwell’s grip on my hand tightened. “Rory isn’t going anywhere without me,” he stated, shooting a scathing look to Callum.
