Page 39 of Magic and Medicine

‘We are going home,’ He said, and I could almost hear the grinding of teeth as he spoke, but the change as he turned to Nadolny worried me. ‘I’m in your debt. Your timely actions saved my Lady’s life; thank you.’

Nadolny shook his head, refusing, knowing the weight of those words. ‘I cannot accept your debt. Sara came to harm under my protection. However, I would ask the elder races not to use my premises until this matter is dealt with. The danger to my staff and patrons is too great. I am sorry.’

Leszek closed his eyes, taking a deep, calming breath before answering. ‘So be it. I will inform my people as soon as I return home.’

All I’d wanted was a bit of jealousy that would break through his icy demeanour enough for us to talk. I’d made a mistake, putting myself in harm’s way, underestimating Leszek’s enemy, and now he’d been forced to save my life, then rein back his anger in front of his rivals. It made me feel like an unruly child acting out for attention, and the worst part? It was true. I’d intended to use Leszek’s anger but hadn’t envisaged fighting for my life. I placed a hand on the floor to stand up, but my saviour tightened his grip.

‘No, Sara. No discussion or struggling; we are going home,’ he said, standing up effortlessly, holding me against his chest, even as I tried to escape.

‘Wait, I can’t leave like this. What about Nina and Jarek…?’ I tried to argue, but I swear he growled as he ignored me.

Adam appeared at our side as we set off, and Leszek slowed. ‘Adam, ensure Nina is safe. She’s your responsibility. Jarek? Report to your Alpha, inform him about what happened, and tell him to prepare for a fight, then make yourself scarce. I don’t want to see you right now.’ The poor werewolf crumbled at the censure in Leszek’s voice, shame burning over his cheeks as he bowed.

I wished I could have apologised to Jarek, but we were moving before I could take a breath.

When we got to the car, my feet were lowered gently to the ground as Leszek opened the door, guiding my weak body into the vehicle and reaching across to buckle my seatbelt. I thought he would retreat at that point. Instead, leaning his head against my shoulder, he stood there, lips pressed against the skin, until, feeling unsettled, I reached up to stroke his beard.

‘I know you’re angry, but we need to talk. I…’ He pressed a finger against my lips, gently silencing me.

‘Sara, please, we’ll talk at home.’ The polite tone defeated my need to talk, and we rode back to the manor without speaking.

Chapter twenty-two

I understood why Leszek needed this time, but the tension building between us fed the self-pity rising within me, swiftly followed by a growing frustration at being unable to express my feelings. When we stopped in the driveway, I was fuming, promising myself I would finally clear the air. After all, if he’d talked to me like a civilised person, I wouldn’t have stooped to such dirty tricks.

I scrambled out of the car before it came to a halt and marched unsteadily to the house.

‘Sara, wait!’ Leszek’s voice angered me further. Yet another order? Who does he think he is? I flipped him off, continued inside, slamming the door in his face, and headed to the bedroom.

I increased my pace at the sound of the door slamming again, but it didn’t matter, as the infuriating man was already beside me.

‘I said wait. For once, could you do what I asked?’ Leszek turned, trapping me within the cage of his muscled arms.

‘Asked? When have you ever asked for anything? Even now, it’s orders, commands you expect to be followed. What next? Roll over for a belly rub like a good little pet? Why do you want me to wait? Why do you care? You left me in this empty house with more questions than answers, then you refused to listen when I asked to talk, and now I have to wait? This is all your fault,’ I said, jamming my finger against his chest before wiping away the tears pouring over my cheeks. He didn’t stop me. He didn’t contradict me, his sorrowful green eyes watching me come apart.

‘I have been trying to talk to you for ages, but you, master of avoiding awkward conversations, did everything to show me how much you wanted to stay away from me. I get it; I do, but I never wanted to fucking kill you, alright. You thought you were getting a useful skill, a little future mojo. Turns out I’m nothing but trouble, but do you really hate me so much you can’t even sleep under the same roof? Why did you kiss me, make me care if what I am repulses you? Why do I care at all, you infuriating bastard?’ By now, I was crying so hard that my vision was blurry, and I couldn’t even push the muscle-bound oaf away.

‘I don’t hate you, my Firefly. I never have. My leaving wasn’t a choice but a necessity. Please understand that I’m trying to keep you safe while you’re still untrained and vulnerable. I’m trying to give you a choice. Your talent, it’s…’ The tenderness he displayed wiping away my tears nearly undid me, but I couldn’t stop now and needed everything in the open, so I interrupted, determined to continue.

‘Yes, I know, I’m a threat to your existence. Veronica explained everything, but guess what, handsome? I can’t just hide, waiting for the world to pass me by like a damsel in distress while you ignore me. I know I pushed myself on you, but you should have left me back at my apartment if you didn’t want me. I thought we had something, a… a spark. Talk about mixed signals. I am a big girl who can admit to her mistakes, but this world you live in is new to me, and I need someone I can trust. Can’t we… can’t we at least be friends?’

The confusion on Leszek’s face wasn’t reassuring, especially when he shook his head, then cupped my cheeks, tilting my face to look at him.

‘What are you saying? What friends? I stayed away because you told me I destroyed your life and didn’t want to see me again. Do you even know how hard that was? To stay away? It was so difficult that I kept inventing reasons to see you and make you smile. Damn it, woman! I burn for you! I crave your touch, the scent of your hair. I almost crashed the car rushing to your side when Nadolny called, telling me you were dying on the dancefloor. I’m not angry because you wanted to have fun, but because you were hurt and I wasn’t there to protect you.’ His fist hammered the wall above my head.

‘Sara, I don’t have a choice, but you do. I want you to live your life, not grow bitter tethered to the god you hate.’

‘I don’t hate you, I… I want to see you, ok? I like you.’

‘But in your apartment, you said…’

‘I was hurt and scared. My cat almost died, my life, my privacy was destroyed, and you were behaving like such a man, taking charge and telling me what to do when all I needed was a hug. I lashed out because I needed to release all my anger, my fear and knew you would never hurt me. Are you telling me that was why you avoided me, treating me like a painful spot on your arse? Fuck! How can someone so intelligent be so stupid?’

Leszek’s lips crashed into mine, taking my breath away. The kiss was deep and possessive, and I couldn’t help responding, matching his hunger, my hands grasping his lapels, pulling him closer. That he’d denied his passion for me broke through the last of my defences, and I opened my mouth for his questing tongue. When his hands stroked down my back, fingernails lightly scratching the skin, I moaned in desire, gasping as he lifted me up. Revelling in the strength of his body, I moulded myself to the firm, muscled torso.

‘Tell me to stop,’ his voice, rough and dangerous, melted every bone in my spine, his teeth scoring the flesh of my neck. ‘Please, tell me to stop, or I’ll take you here on the stairs. I’m losing myself to you. Your smile, your magic, your stubbornness when you face adversity. My fierce little warrior, you attract me like a moth to the flame, and I can’t stop… I won’t stop unless you tell me to.’ His body was shaking. Leszek tried to pull away. Instead, his hand slid to my back, embracing me. Pressing my body hard into his chest while trailing his lips over the hollow of my neck. The earthy scent of the forest overpowered the air and I inhaled deeply, exposing my neck.

‘Never,’ I breathed when he nipped at my skin. The desperation in his voice told me exactly what I wanted. ‘I won’t stop you. I don’t want to. I want you, Leshy. So take me here, in the bedroom or in your office. I don’t care as long as I can feel your touch.’

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